IMPORTANT UPDATE:
ACCPA’s Nursing Transition to Practice Programs
Thank you for your interest in ACCPA’s Nursing Transition to Practice Program.
The funding ACCPA receives from the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care to facilitate the program will conclude in September 2024, and at this stage there will be no further program intakes in 2024.
We are hopeful that we will be able to facilitate ACCPA’s Nursing Transition to Practice Program in the future and should we be successful with securing Australian Government funding support, we encourage you to apply for future intakes of the program.
ACCPA recognises the importance of supporting nurses in their vital role in aged and community care and we are working on other exciting workforce initiatives.
Further updates on the future of ACCPA’s Nursing Transition to Practice Program will be available as soon as this information is available. If you have any questions regarding the information above, please contact
WHY AGED AND COMMUNITY CARE?
Did you know the number of people requiring aged and community care in Australia is set to double by 2050?
It’s the fastest growing industry in Australia where you really do get to make a difference in people’s lives.
In aged and community care, you will meet interesting people and get to know their story. You will have the opportunity to help your patients achieve their care goals in a holistic way and experience a sense of fulfilment that is difficult to find elsewhere in nursing.
And unlike popular belief, there are many opportunities for career progression, practising of clinical skills, leadership development and lifelong learning in aged and community care.
You will work with the most empathetic and compassionate people who are in the industry because they care. In aged and community care, you will have the opportunity to build strong relationships with GPs, specialists and other medical professionals who rely on your experience with the patient and work with you to achieve the patient’s health goals.
In short, nursing in aged and community care is Real Nursing for Every Nurse.
OUR PROGRAMS
Developed in partnership with real clinicians, our 3 transition to practice programs are designed to support transitioning nurses to become confident, safe, competent, professional Enrolled & Registered Nurses in the aged and community care sector.
| Graduate Registered Nurse (<2 years, first year of practice)
| This innovative 12-month program provides guidance to Graduate Registered Nurses in their first year of clinical practice through mentorship, on-line professional development sessions presented by expert clinicians and portfolio development. The aim of this program is to ensure graduated nurses become confident, safe, competent, and professional practitioners within the organisation and choose to stay working within the Sector. |
| Graduate Enrolled Nurse (<2years, first year of practice)
| This innovative 12-month program provides guidance to Graduate Enrolled Nurses in their first year of clinical practice through mentorship, on-line professional development sessions presented by expert clinicians and portfolio development. The aim of this program is to ensure graduated enrolled nurses receive the support and education they require as they enter the workforce. |
| Transitioning Registered Nurses (> 2 years, but new to the sector)
| This innovative 6-month program recognises prior knowledge and experience and provides support to Transitioning Registered Nurses as they enter clinical practice in the aged care sector. Participants will undertake a mix of set professional development activities as well as selecting electives. The program would be ideal for Registered Nurses wanting to take on additional leadership responsibilities eg: Clinical Nurse Managers, Facility Manager. |
WORKING IN AGED AND COMMUNITY CARE
You may be exposed to a variety of challenging and interesting experiences in aged and community care services including:
- high/acute aged care
- palliative
- dementia specific
- wound management,
- management of chronic illnesses
- re-enablement, wellness programs; and
- community/home care.
You will be supported by a workplace mentor, an experienced Registered Nurse who will guide and support you towards achieving predetermined development goals. Mentors will discuss your progress, share their experience and knowledge, provide emotional support and guide you every step of the way in:
- undertaking comprehensive health assessments
- managing workloads and delegating duties
- developing therapeutic relationships using person-centred care; and
- developing clinical skills and abiding by aged care sector legislations and regulations.
As a participant in the Program, you will have access to an online collaboration hub, forums and professional development sessions run by real industry experts. There are also opportunities to network with other transitioning nurses through our online Communities of Practice forums.
Securing ongoing employment (part time or permanent full time) is extremely common for participants who have completed the program and opportunities exist to undertake postgraduate studies.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Providing meaningful professional development sessions is a critical component of our Program and helps you build the knowledge and skills for a successful career in aged care.
Education and professional development provided in our Program focuses on the following core development areas, for example:
- Portfolio development
- Aged Care Legislation and regulations & Royal Commission recommendations
- Infection Control /PPE/ Covid-19. Falls prevention
- Health Assessment of the Older Person
- Nursing management of complex conditions e.g., Parkinson’s Disease
- Caring for the deteriorating older person
- Dementia Care
- The Palliative Approach to End of Life Care
- Communication
- Wound Care and Maintaining Skin Integrity
- Nutrition and Hydration
- Leadership and Supervision for Registered Nurses
Through ACCPA’s extended member network, you will have access to experienced aged and community care practitioners with a range of specialist skills and knowledge.
Many of our leaders and experts are Registered Nurses who have worked across a range of health areas and have chosen a career pathway in aged care.
These individuals are an excellent source of knowledge and expertise and welcome the opportunity to share their experience with graduates and help them explore the career paths available to nurses in the aged care sector.
AM I ELIGIBLE?
To be eligible for the program, you must:
- have obtained a Bachelor of Nursing Degree within the last 2 years for Graduate Registered Nurses
OR
- have obtained a Diploma of Nursing within the last 2 years for Graduate Enrolled Nurses
- be registered with APHRA prior to commencement of the Program
- have a demonstrated commitment to a career in aged and community care
- have a current satisfactory Australian Federal Police Check; and
- provide evidence of vaccination (including COVID-19) prior to starting employment.
INTAKE & APPLICATION CLOSE DATES
The next program intakes for 2024-25 are TBC.