Our Graduate Nurse Program is designed to support registered nurses in their first year of practice and provide opportunities to consolidate both theoretical and clinical skills.
Applications for our 2027 Graduate Nurse Program will open 1 June 2026.
Information sessions
Want to hear more about starting your nursing career at RMH?
Join us for our information sessions and hear from the GNP Leadership Team, NUMs, Educators and current Graduates.
During these sessions we will discuss the General, First Nations, Mental Health and Metropolitan-Regional streams, as well as explore the application process so you feel ready to apply with confidence.
Reserve your tickets for the in-person event on Wednesday 27 May 2026 from 5:30pm to 7:00pm at the Charles La Trobe lecture theatre at the RMH Parkville.
Not able to make the in-person session?
Access the online session on 11 June 2026 from 5:00pm to 6:30pm.
About the program
At the Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH), people are at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to our graduates' wellbeing and success, supporting them in the transition from student to registered nurse (RN).
"I found the various rotations in the Graduate Nursing Program to be an essential stepping stone in my nursing career. The program helped develop as an independent nurse and I believe has set me up for success in the future."
The program embodies the RMH values of 'People first', 'Lead with kindness' and 'Excellence together'.
As a graduate nurse, you are an important part of the nursing workforce at the RMH. We are excited to welcome you to a friendly and stimulating working environment to build your confidence and skills as a new RN.
This year we are offering 3 programs. These include:
- The Royal Melbourne Hospital – Nursing - General Stream
- The Royal Melbourne Hospital – Nursing – First Nations Graduate Nurse Program
- The Royal Melbourne Hospital and Goulburn Valley Health
We also offer a Mental Health stream. Please visit Graduate Mental Health Nurse Program for information about the Mental Health GNP and application requirements.
Available positions and requirements
Intakes and position numbers are being finalised and will be made available before match day.
Note: We are not planning to run an EN Graduate program in 2027.
Education and training
- Opportunity to develop a range of nursing skills with two six-month clinical rotations across a wide variety of specialties
- Graduate-specific four-day orientation program to set you up for success
- Four graduate professional development and training days including the internationally accredited ACTION™ program (see Melbourne Clinical Simulation Centre to learn more about the ACTION™ course)
- Specialised graduate preceptorship model across all clinical areas
- Smooth transition to the ward with minimum seven supernumerary days across both rotations
- Additional professional development opportunities including regular ‘Grad Tutorials’ and the Graduate Nurse Network
"I have found the experiences I have gained during the GNP very beneficial.
"I feel it has equipped me for my career as a nurse and I have been very fortunate to have 2 very good experiences on both my rortations.
"I also found it very beneficial having the grad debriefs - having the opportunity to discuss experiences with the other grads."
Wellbeing and support
- Dedicated Assistant Director of Nursing and Early Career Nurse Educator to prioritise the needs of our graduate nurses and offer additional expertise and assistance
- Extensive network, including ward-based Clinical Nurse Educators and Clinical Support Nurses, highly skilled within the speciality area to support you
- Free wellbeing support 24/7 via our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with Converge
Program completion
- Supported transition into employment following completion of GNP facilitated by the Nursing Workforce Unit
- A celebratory graduation event on completion of your Graduate Nurse Program
Benefits
- Salary packaging of up to $11,660 FBT per year, reducing your taxable income and increasing your disposable income
- Secure car parking and bicycle storage available, including shower and changing facilities
- Close to public transport
Find out more about the benefits of working at the RMH.
Rotations
The RMH is a major trauma hospital and one of the largest public healthcare hospitals in Australia.
We have a diverse array of clinical specialties and our clinical rotations aim to expose you to a wide variety of patient presentations and models of care that reflect the advances in modern health care.
You will have the opportunity to preference both of your clinical rotations after your offer of employment.
We read and consider all preference descriptions when we allocate your rotation wards.
- Acute medical unit
- Cardiology and Cardiothoracic
- Colorectal and Hepatobiliary
- Day medical centre
- Emergency
- Emergency General Surgery
- General Medicine and Respiratory Medicine
- Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplant
- Infectious Diseases
- Neurosurgery and Neurology
- Radiology
- Specialist Clinics (Outpatients)
- Palliative care
- Perioperative services
- Plastics and Orthopaedic Trauma
- Kidney Care and Endocrinology
- Vascular, Urology and Gastroenterology
Goulburn Valley Health (GVH) and the Royal Melbourne Hospital have partnered to offer a metropolitan and regional program.
This exciting opportunity includes 6-month rotations at both GVH and the RMH, providing you the opportunity to understand and appreciate the rewards and challenges of working in a regional health service, as well as a metropolitan health service.
Both the RMH and GVH pride themselves on the support that they can give their graduates.
With both organisations having large teams of Clinical Area Educators, Clinical Support Nurses and Preceptors who can provide support seven days a week. You will have the opportunity to attend the study days at each organisation during your rotation.
See Graduate Nursing Program - GV Health for more information.
To apply for the Metropolitan – Regional Rotation please ensure you nominate “The Royal Melbourne Hospital & Goulburn Valley Health” rotation on PMCV and apply for the program through the RMH jobs portal.
The Royal Melbourne Hospital is committed to growing our First Nations Workforce and becoming a workplace of choice.
The RMH – First Nations Stream is a rewarding experience and offers you an excellent foundation for growing your skills, job diversity and allow you an opportunity to help care for your community. You will work collaboratively with all members of the multidisciplinary teams and contribute to making the RMH a culturally safe place to receive care.
The First Nation Graduate Nurse Program has dedicated resources to provide you with support from the First Nations Health Unit, our Social, Emotional and Wellbeing (SEWB) team together with our nursing leadership team, as well as dedicated Cultural Immersion professional development days.
This stream is integrated with the General Nursing program to provide additional cultural support, while completing rotations and opportunities within the general program.
To apply for the First Nations Graduate Nurse Program please ensure you nominate “The Royal Melbourne Hospital – Nursing – First Nations Graduate Nurse Program” rotation on PMCV and apply for the program on the RMH careers page.
Why choose the RMH?
We have a team of 90 clinical nurse educators and clinical support nurses who are located on the ward. They are close by to offer you expert supervision, support and education and a safe space when you need a moment to debrief.
We are exceptionally proud of our Nursing Education team and the role they play in our Graduate Nurse Program.
Each clinical area has a dedicated preceptorship model, tailor-made for that speciality.
We aim for preceptors to work alongside you for your supernumerary period, then for the initial period of your rotation, ranging from 4 to 6 weeks and first set of night shifts.
This individualised support is designed to facilitate a positive clinical experience and build your confidence.
Each of our preceptors attend a full-day workshop to prepare them to take on this vital role.
We recognise that your wellbeing is important throughout your career and especially during your transition to nursing practice.
The RMH has implemented a 'Speak Up' culture to give everyone in the workplace the tools to Speak Up if they experience or witness a situation that’s outside of the RMH values. This toolkit is especially important for our junior staff and gives them a structured way to raise concerns or escalate if ever required.
Each ward has Safety Champions to guide staff members to use this model.
We offer many different wellbeing supports, including:
- Our RMH Workforce Wellbeing team with one-to-one support, debriefs and skills sessions
- Access to Converge, a free 24/7 counselling line to offer emotional, life, career and finance advice
- Peer Support program
- Family Violence Contact Officers
- Access to Fitness Passport or the RMH gym for an extra cost
You are always welcome to visit your local educators or graduate nurse program leadership team for a chat.
We are proud to be a workplace that champions diversity, equity and inclusion for our staff, volunteers, patients, visitors and community.
We know that having a diverse group of people working with us across the RMH enables us to be more effective, innovative and creative, and to better understand and reflect the community we serve.
Our goal is for our people to feel safe, included and supported so they can be at their best every day.
Learn more about diversity, equity and inclusion at the RMH.
We have a specialist Early Career Clinical Nurse Educator who runs regular ‘Grad Tutorials’ throughout the year to enhance your clinical and non-clinical skills. Previous sessions have included, transition shock, ECG interpretation and time management.
You will also participate in four study days, including the internationally recognised ACTION™ (Acute Critical and Threatening Incidents Occurring Needlessly) course. Worth $495, the ACTION course is free as part of the program. See Melbourne Clinical Simulation Centre to learn more.
We also offer extended clinical skills, GNP professional development day and preceptorship. Our ward areas have regular in-services to keep upskilling your clinical knowledge too.
Each year we invite expressions of interest for the Graduate Nurse Network. Graduates meet regularly to provide feedback on the program, participate in organisational events, improvement programs and organise social events for the group. It provides a great opportunity to network with other graduates and develop leadership skills.
Our Nurse Unit Managers, Associate Nurse Unit Managers and clinical nurse leaders are there to assist, support and listen to all staff, especially those new to a clinical area or role.
Across the hospital there are several clinical nurse consultants who can be accessed via pager for expert advice including stomal therapy, intensive care, palliative care, discharge planning, and infection prevention to name just a few.
The Royal Melbourne Hospital graduates are highly sought after within the healthcare sector.
After the Graduate Nurse Program, you are supported by the Nursing Workforce Unit to transition to your next role that aligns with your career aspirations. 90 to 97 per cent of our graduates choose to continue employment at the RMH.
Over 4,000 nurses work at the RMH across many different specialties and positions. This gives you a wealth of career opportunities after your graduate year.
We also offer clinical and leadership programs for further education and development throughout your nursing career.
RISE (Registered Nurse Introduction to Speciality Education) Program
Many of our Graduate Nurses choose to start a RISE program after their graduate year. This is a free six- to 12-month supported program lead by our local education teams, designed to advance your nursing practice by providing theoretical and clinical education.
Towards the end of your graduate year, you’ll be invited to a specialty showcase where you can explore the different RISE programs available.
Find out more about our RISE programs.
Postgraduate programs
If you wish to continue your specialty study, we offer clinically supported postgraduate programs in a wide variety of areas. We have partnered with five tertiary institutions to support your theoretical learnings in the clinical space with the guidance and support of skilled clinical educators and our multi-professional team.
Find out more about our postgraduate nurse programs.
Links and documents
300 Grattan St, Parkville, Victoria
Ground Level West
300 Grattan St, Parkville, Victoria