When allocating clinical rotations we take into consideration applicants’ areas of clinical interests, their ability and the completion date of their university studies. We also ensure equity within our allocations to make certain the process is fair for all candidates.
Our rotations allow graduates to build confidence and consolidate their clinical knowledge and skills, and facilitate their growth as a member of our nursing team.
All Transition Program Nurses complete two six month rotations during their twelve month graduate program. The following rotations are on offer:
Perioperative Nurses care for patients during their entire journey through the operating suite. St Vincent’s has a large perioperative environment that includes a diverse range of specialties along with dedicated operating theatres.
Scrub/Scout
Circulating and instrument nursing also known as scrub/scouts, work within the operating room and assist the surgical team with the procedure while maintaining patient safety throughout the intraoperative phase. Responsibilities include preparation of the operating room, set up & maintenance of aseptic fields, management of the surgical count, & monitoring patient safety throughout the procedure.
Anaesthetics
The Anaesthetic Nurse is the first to greet surgical patients in the operating suite. Anaesthetic Nurses have an important role in ensuring that patients are safe for surgery prior to anaesthesia. While providing reassurance & comfort to patients, they also assist the anaesthetists in delivering safe anaesthesia throughout the procedure.
Recovery
The Recovery Nurse cares for the patient at the completion of their procedure, whilst they are emerging from anaesthesia. Recovery Nurses constantly assess & monitor post-operative patients. They provide care to prevent & recognise patient deterioration, and ensure comfort, & safety to minimise post-operative & post-anaesthetic complications. They ensure the patient is safe until they are ready to be discharged to lower acuity care.
Day Procedure Centre
DPC is a dynamic department where we can see more than 60 patients a day. Common skills include airway management post operatively, prioritising patient care and nurse led discharge. As the surgeons list are different every day, it’s an exciting place to work as each specialty requires a different skill set. DPC is open Monday to Friday between 0630 – 2000hrs and closed on the weekend and public holidays.
Dedicated Stream Perioperative
Applicants can preference to complete 12 months working in Scrub/Scout in our Dedicated Stream – Periop. Nurses will have a chance to rotate through various surgical specialties building and consolidating their knowledge and skills.
Mental Health Nurses work with consumers and their carers at different stages of their recovery, assisting and encouraging them to care for their wellbeing, and to set and achieve life goals while managing their treatment.
Caritas - Acute Mental Health
A 27-bed facility that provides 24 hour care for consumers requiring assessment, treatment and discharge planning in an inpatient setting to assist in their recovery from mental health-related conditions. It is broken into acute and high dependency units.
Psychiatric Emergency Care Centre (PECC)
PECC is a 6 bed unit that provides continuing detailed assessment and delivers therapeutic interventions over a 1-2 day period, ensuring a rapid return to community or family care with an optimum level of functioning. Rotation in PECC includes experience in ED psychiatric triage.
Mental Health Community
Community Mental health provides services that support the different needs of consumers in their own community including an acute care team, case management, day clinic, triage, community rehab and more.
Dedicated Stream – Mental Health
Applicants can preference to work 12 months in Mental Health in our Mental Health Dedicated Stream. Nurses will work 6 months in one of the inpatient units and 6 months in Mental Health Community. This pathway allows you to see the full patient journey as well as build your Mental Health nursing skills.
Emergency Department
Emergency nurses specialise in the rapid assessment and treatment of patients who present in various phases of acute illness and trauma. There are many units within the ED that assist in patient flow and the patient’s journey in hospital. Transition Program Nurses will work their way through a variety of these units building necessary skills. Two Critical Care rotations will not be paired together to ensure equity amongst this highly sort after area.
ICU (general) & ICU (Cardiothoracic)
In this level-6 Intensive Care Unit, the multidisciplinary team cares for patients who have suffered serious illness or have undergone major surgery. Our patients frequently require advanced technology to support their lungs, kidneys, and heart, as well as multiple specific medications and invasive monitoring. This ICU manages a diverse range of conditions including severe traumatic injuries, post stem cell transplant patients, heart and lung transplantation, major operations such as brain and cardiothoracic surgery. Two Critical Care rotations will not be paired together to ensure equity amongst this highly sort after area.
Gorman Unit
Our Gorman Unit is a 13 bed acute inpatient unit for people seeking treatment for substance use disorder. They provide relapse prevention, withdrawal management, opioid stabilisation and pharmacotherapy. Nurses undertake comprehensive assessment, treatment planning, short-term care co-ordination and referral. Patients receive therapeutic, diversional and psychoeducational groups.
Renal Ambulatory Care
The Renal Ambulatory Care Unit supports people with acute and chronic kidney disorders. The newly designed unit caters to inpatients across the hospital and outpatients from the surrounding community. The unit also provides training, education, management and follow-up for patients requiring peritoneal dialysis.
Xavier 7 North
X7N is a 33 bed medical-surgical unit with a dedicated 6 bed acute stroke unit that allows close observation and cardiac monitoring to patients following a stroke. Medical patients often present for treatment of deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, exacerbations of Guillain–Barré syndrome or myasthenia gravis. Surgical cases include cranial and spinal surgery, transsphenoidal pituitary tumour resections, amputations, vascular bypass surgery, aneurysm repairs and insertion of deep brain stimulators.
Xavier 7 South
Xavier 7 South (X7S) is a busy acute surgical ward with capacity for 34 beds. When working on X7S you can expect to gain exposure in complex wound care, traction, bladder irrigation, mobilisation techniques and complex pain management. The multidisciplinary team work closely together in the care of their patients.
Xavier 8 North
X8N is a 34 bed unit that houses a range of specialties. Including Gastroenterology, Endocrine, Oncology, Renal, Clinical Pharmacology, Immunology, Immunology B, Infectious Diseases, Rheumatology and Dermatology.
Medical patients present with a range of common issues including cellulitis, hepatitis, auto-immune diseases and symptoms management of oncological conditions. Nurses work closely with the multidisciplinary team as patient’s often have complex social situations.
Xavier 8 South
Xavier 8 South (X8S) provides care to a range of patients under various surgical specialties and can accommodate up to 34 beds. Working on X8S there will be opportunities for you to gain exposure and competence in the management of Pre and post-operative patients, surgical drains, Nasogastric tubes, Complex pain, Stomas, Enteral & parenteral nutrition, Altered and artificial airways & Cancer Care.
Xavier 9 North
Xavier 9 North has 26 beds, along with an 8 bed Medical Assessment Unit. As a Nurse on X9N you will evaluate and manage the physical, cognitive, functional and social issues of older adults. Its’ core work is management of the common geriatric syndromes of dementia, delirium, falls, urinary incontinence, polypharmacy, and frailty, plus other medical problems occurring in older people with multiple co-morbidities.
Medical Assessment Unit (MAU) provides comprehensive multidisciplinary assessments to support the elderly in their acute admission into St Vincent’s hospital. MAU is often the initial assessment location from the emergency department or directly from the community. We aim for the MAU to be a maximum 24 hour stay unit.
Xavier 9 South
X9S is a specialised 20 bed ward that takes pride in our team approach to the management of our patients. You can expect to learn about the holistic care of complex haematology/ bone marrow transplant patients, including complex side effects associated with their diagnosis and treatment.
Xavier 10 North
X10N is made up of 27 sub-acute Cardiology beds which admit patients accepted under the care of heart failure consultants or cardiologist from ED, the Heart Lung Clinic or Interventional Cardiology. On 10 North you will learn how to manage the care of patients with inotropic infusion, chest pain (including the administration of intravenous morphine and nitrates), preparation of patients for cardiac transplant, pre and post angiogram management, ventricular assist device (VAD) and exacerbation of heart failure. There is also a 6 bed acute coronary care unit that cares for high risk cardiology and heart failure patients.
Xavier 10 South
X10S is a 32 bed unit, containing a non-invasive ventilation bay and the sleep studies unit. This is a fast paced unit that cares for patient pre and post-transplant. Other common presentations include coronary bypass grafts, trauma, pneumonia and chronic heart and lung conditions.
Interventional Cardiology is a unique service that caters to inpatients and outpatients of St Vincent’s Public and Private Hospital. Nurses work in a perioperative environment caring for patient pre, during and post procedure. Interventional Cardiology or the Cardiac Cath Lab performs diagnostic angiograms, valve replacement, insertion and management of permanent pacemakers and treats cardiac conditions requiring stenting.