The nursing team at Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD) make a significant contribution to the health and wellbeing of our community. ISLHD is working to foster a high-performing nursing and midwifery workforce that demonstrates person-centred care in the practice. We achieve this by collaborating with staff, reflecting on our work and having honest conversations about practice and performance.
We have a supervision framework in place that we are continuously striving to improve. We also have a strong learning and development and research culture. We are striving to build research capacity and capability within our nursing and midwifery workforce and have a very strong alliance with the University of Wollongong.
We have over 3,400 nurses and midwives working for the health of our community. Our nurses and midwives work across a wide range of areas including Aboriginal health, aged care, cancer care, cardiology, community health, drug and alcohol, emergency, forensic medicine, general medicine, intensive care, mental health, neonatal intensive care, orthopaedics, paediatrics, perioperative services, research, renal services, sexual health, surgery, neurosurgery, rehabilitation and palliative care as well as roles in management and education.
Our midwives work in maternity units, antenatal clinics, birth units, postnatal and neonatal units, community-based health services, childbirth and parent education classes across the District.
New graduate nurses and midwives can work in a diverse range of clinical settings within ISLHD.
Aboriginal Nursing and Midwifery Cadetship Program
The NSW Aboriginal Nursing and Midwifery Cadetship Program provides support and assistance to Aboriginal people currently studying or about to study an undergraduate nursing or midwifery degree at university.
Successful cadets will receive:
- Study allowance of $600 each fortnight while undertaking a university nursing or midwifery degree
- A $500 support allowance each semester
- Access to an Aboriginal mentor, cadet coordinator and additional clinical support
- Up to 12 weeks of paid employment in a local public hospital or Justice Health facility.
More information can be found at Cadetship Program.
Aboriginal Undergraduate Scholarships
Scholarships of up to $1,000 per subject are available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students undertaking a Bachelor of Nursing or Bachelor of Midwifery.
Applicants must be:
- an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person •known and accepted in the community in which you live or have lived
- a resident of NSW
- enrolled in an Australian Bachelor of Nursing or Bachelor of Midwifery degree.
- willing to participate in an evaluation or telephone survey about the Aboriginal scholarships program.
Note: Scholarships will not be provided to any applicant undertaking a NSW Health Aboriginal Nursing and Midwifery Cadetship.
More information can be found at NSW Health - Aboriginal Undergraduate Scholarships.
Career Opportunities
We are always looking for dedicated and quality focused staff to join our workforce and help make a difference to our diverse communities. Whether you are looking for a full time, part time or casual position, we would love to hear from you.
We also welcome enquiries from nurses or midwives looking to re-enter the profession, internationally qualified nurses/midwives and upcoming nursing and midwifery graduates.
Our current nursing and midwifery vacancies are advertised on: https://iworkfor.nsw.gov.au/.
New Graduate Nurse and Midwife Program (GradStart 2024)
As a newly graduated Registered Nurse or Registered Midwife you are about to embark on one of the most significant years’ of your working life – your GradStart Year!
The Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD) offers a GradStart Program within a dynamic environment of learning and development which allows new graduates the opportunity to consolidate clinical knowledge and skills, acquire ward management skills and work within an efficient and energetic health care team.
ISLHD will support you as you transition to your role as a Registered Nurse or Registered Midwife across a variety of clinical settings. The GradStart year supports development in the required skills and confidence to practice, by providing an environment through which consolidation and skill development can occur.
What can we offer you?
- A wide range of clinical streams and settings are available
- A great team of dedicated Nurse/Midwifery Educators and Clinical Nurse/Midwifery Educators
- Excellent ongoing career opportunities
- Flexible, tailored programs to meet your career goals
- Fully paid study days
- Simulated Education opportunities
- C.A.R.E (Facilitated Reflective Practice)
- Regular peer support
- Preceptor support and support from other Registered Nurses/Midwives in all areas
- Mentoring supportive opportunities
- Individualised development plans
- Formal orientation program to the ISLHD and a local induction to clinical settings on all clinical rotations.
Clinical streams and hospitals
Applicants for the ISLHD GradStart Program will be asked to nominate their preference of clinical stream. Clinical streams included in the 2024 Grad Start program across the ISLHD include:
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There are eight hospitals and two services included in the Grad Start 2024 program. Applicants for the ISLHD GradStart Program will be asked to nominate preferred geographical area. These are ‘ISLHD North’ or ‘ISLHD Shoalhaven’. The sites and services located at each are shown below:
| ISLHD North | ISLHD Shoalhaven |
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Program commencement dates
There are two planned Grad Start 2024 intakes. These are February and May. Specific start dates will be confirmed with the successful applicants.
Applications
Applications are received online via a centralised recruitment system. Applications will open at 9am on Tuesday, 20 June 2023 and will close at 11:59pm on Monday, 3 July 2022.
For more information on the recruitment process, including interview tips, the GradStart Handbook and important facts for international students, please check the NSW Health Nursing Employment page.
Further Information
Please contact Nadine Taylor, ISLHD Transition to Professional Practice Nurse Manager, M: 0434 323 263 or EMAIL: Nadine.taylor1@health.nsw.gov.au.
Postgraduate Midwife (MidStart 2024)
Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD) Maternity Services offers opportunities for Registered Nurses to undertake postgraduate study to become a registered Midwife.
MidStart students will be employed at either Wollongong Hospital (Wollongong) or Shoalhaven Hospital (Nowra) while they complete their 12-month MidStart program.
ISLHD MidStart Midwifery students will be supported by the Mentoring in Midwifery Program (MiMS program), Clinical Midwifery Educators, and Clinical Supervision (Reflective Practice).
MidStart Midwifery students will have the opportunity to work in all areas of the Maternity services. Midwifery student experiences can include Midwifery Group Practice (MGP), Midwifery in the Home (MITH), Antenatal, Postnatal, Aboriginal Maternal and Infant health Services, Substance Use in Pregnancy & Parenting (SUPPS), Neonatal and Intrapartum care.
Applications
Applications for the 2024 ISLHD MidStart program can be submitted via: NSW Health MidStart.
Interviews for ISLHD MidStart students will be held on the 6 & 7 July, 2023.
More information
For further information, please read through the 2024 MidStart Handbook.
You can also contact Cheryl Cahill, Midwifery Educator, via cheryllynette.Cahill@health.nsw.gov.au or 0436 671 963.