Combined Graduate Nursing Midwifery Program

The Western Health Combined Graduate Nursing/Midwifery Program supports graduates to consolidate practice and transition confidently into their dual professional roles. The structured program is supported by experienced educators, clinical support midwives, and colleagues within a learning focused environment. 

Information Evenings

We welcome you to join us at our information sessions. These sessions will give you an opportunity to learn more about our graduate midwifery programs, meet staff, and ask questions. 

The Midwifery Education team will conduct a tour of Joan Kirner Women's & Children's hospital.

Dates: Wednesday 20 May 2026 and Tuesday 26 May 2026.

Time: 4.30 pm to 6 pm. If you would like to join a hospital tour, please meet at 4 pm at Joan Kirner main reception, Ground Floor Foyer.

Location: Auditorium Level 1, WCHRE Building Western Health Sunshine Campus, 176 Furlong Road St Albans VIC 3021

Eligibility

• Must be completing an Undergraduate Double degree in Nursing and Midwifery in 2026
• Must hold a practicing certificate with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) by 2027
• Must not have undertaken any other Midwifery or Nursing Graduate Program

Program Duration

The Combined Graduate Nursing/Midwifery Program is a 53-week program.

• Year 1: Early career supported program rotating across the continuum of pregnancy care and a nursing Unit
• Optional Year 2: Grad + Program (Additional 12-month program) undertaking two theoretical postgraduate equivalent subjects and options for additional rotations 

Both years are offered at 64hrs per fortnight (0.84 FTE).

Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s Program

Rotations

• Major rotations - Birthing and Postnatal
• Shorter rotations - Maternity Assessment Centre (MAC)
• Nursing Rotation - 4-month rotation to a Sunshine Hospital Nursing Unit at Western Health
• Annual leave – 4 weeks pre allocated in program
• Four supernumerary shifts for first rotation and two supernumerary shifts will be provided at the commencement of each new rotation thereafter 

Intakes

• February 2027
• April 2027
• July 2027
• September 2027

Bacchus Marsh Program

Bacchus Marsh Hospital provides a great opportunity to develop your skills in caring for women across the continuum. Our staff will support you on your learning journey as you strengthen your midwifery skills to deliver women centred care to women and their families. You will also develop skills to collaborate and refer within a dedicated multidisciplinary maternity team. An ideal program for those midwives who hope to work in a rural unit or in a continuity of care model in the future.

Rotations

• 6 months - Integrated Maternity Unit Bacchus Marsh- includes antenatal assessment, birthing, postnatal care. Opportunity for supernumerary time in antenatal clinic, domiciliary care, special care nursery.
• 3 months - Maternity rotation at Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s Hospital to get exposure and experience working within a tertiary level health service.
• 3 months - Nursing (Medical Surgical Unit) Bacchus Marsh

Intakes

• February – 2027
• April - 2027

A team of Clinical Nursing/Midwifery Educators, Clinical Support Midwives/Nurses and Ward Nurse/Midwives are available to guide and support in the clinical setting. The Graduate Program Coordinator and Line managers are available for support to all graduates.

• Satisfactory clinical hours (minimum 64hrs/fortnight)
• Completion of Clinical Objectives each rotation
• Satisfactory AMSAT/ANSATs an Annual Performance Development Review
• Development and delivery of a project for Professional Development (in nursing rotation)
• Participation in Graduate Study Days

A certificate will be presented on successful completion of the Combined Graduate Midwife/Nurse Program

Study Days

• 2 days orientation for all graduates at commencement of program
• 2 graduate midwife skills/study days during orientation fortnight
• 2 training days (1 additional training day at Bacchus Marsh) for mandatory competencies (FSEP and PROMPT)
• 3 allocated professional development days (Lactation Consultant Day, Career Day and End of Year Day) 

These study days aim to prepare graduates for commencing in the organisation, ensure competencies are met, practice development addressed and enhance knowledge and bridge the theory to practice gap.