Grad positions

[Hannahbanana]

I have heard that grad positions were a bit scarce for Mid this year............only 35% of midwives graduating or something like that were offered places in Victoria

It's a bit concerning, hopefully in 3 years time there are plenty more positions

Anyone here miss out and if so what are your plans now??
What about any nursing grads...... what are your plans if you applied and didn't get a spot??

[My Three Sons]

I was speaking to one of our third years this, and she said it is as bad as they are saying on FB... only about 40% of the monash girls by the sound got an offer! There is about double the amount of students this year (i think about 50 graduated) where as there are only about 25 of us in 2nd year currently. VERY worried about next year now! Although i have pretty good grades, I am worried that i may not interview well, and shifting hospitals again this year, will mean that i don't get into it again quite as quickly at the start of 3rd year. Makes me feel sick just thinking about it! No idea what i would do if i had no grad year!

[Catastrophic]

It really is as bad as they say... well over half of us have missed out on Grad positions. At the local hospital where they are usually taking 50+ they have only taken 25! The budget cuts have really affecting us. And has a lot of us worried!

[Me+him+bub]

i missed out in my grad year (2010) and just went and e mailed all the hospital grad co ordinators I could think of and I got a call from Greenslopes in brissy and said to come in for an interview then found out xmas eve I got a job, I didn't even apply! so there is always hope, lots of friends of mine did not get spots this year either, and QLD health will NOT employ an RN or midwife without a grad position, so private hospitals are the go, I don't know if it would be the same for VIC public but I would assume so. and I spoke to the DON of Gold Coast region through a facilitator of mine and they are always getting cuts in the budget, in my year they were predicted to take 700 in south east QLD but budget only covered 300 spots! it is quite disgusting! it is all to do with money not the fact there is no places. And she said best to try for agency or aged care as an RN until next round because if you have worked as a hospital employee they will not consider you a "new grad" but don't stress there is plenty of time for you, things may change. best of luck

[Catastrophic]

and QLD health will NOT employ an RN or midwife without a grad position

Not true :-D Otherwise I don't have a job next year :P Which I do

[Me+him+bub]

mummenurse - WOW! I was given a definate no no and I tried at 4 different public hospitals and even on the casual pool, my facilitator from 3rd year even tried on my behalf, they must have changed things which is great! as I have a few friends still looking so I will let them know! were you an AIN or EEN beforehand? or a straight up new grad? so happy you got a spot though!

[Catastrophic]

It is generally a no-no. I'm just lucky :P I was an AIN a couple of years ago. But nto recently.

[Me+him+bub]

doesn't matter either way! you got a job!

[Mother Goose]

Try not to panic. A lot of hospitals won't take you if you haven't done a Grad year - but it is up to the NUM in the end.

If you are unfortunate enough to miss out on a spot, don't give up hope. As a previous poster said, email all the Grad Coordinators and see if they have a position available. You'd be surprised how many drop out part way through the year. If they don't, contact them monthly.

Have a chat to nursing agencies, there are a few around who offer Grad programs. It's not the ideal way to do your Grad year but it is a foot in the door.

For those of you in Vic, don't forget that some of the Private Hospitals do not use the Computer Match program and you have to apply directly to them (Cabrini is one). Also keep in mind that international students find it much harder to get Grad positions as the hospital misses out on the Govt grant they get for employing a Grad (at least that is the case in Vic).

I know it's stressful but try to not dwell on it too much. Focus on doing as well as you can at Uni, get great clinical reviews, and do your best at interview. Talk to those who have recently gone through Grad interviews to get tips and advice about the hospitals you are interested in. Go to any Nursing Expo's to talk to the hospitals (current Grad's are usually there) and chat to people as well.

Good luck!

MG