Name of Facility

Contact Person - Designation

Contact Details

Phone: (02) 65 851 300

Fax: (02) 65 853 741

email: Wendy.Evans@ncahs.health.nsw.gov.au

About the facility

Wauchope Hospital is a 32 bed facility comprising 6 rehabilitation, 4 Day Surgery and 22 Acute Care beds. A full range of Allied Health services are available. A 24 hour Emergency Department is provided by Career Medical Officers and on-call GP VMO's combined with Port Macquarie Base Hospital (PMBH) E.D.

This program won the 2007 NCAHS Quality Awards and was a finalist in the NSW Baxter Awards.

Number of New Graduate positions

1 every second year with a 12 month contract.

Access to ongoing support, professional development

(study days) including supernumerary time and orientation

The graduate program offers a comprehensive hospital orientation at commencement as well as 1 day per month reflective practice / study day with the site clinical nurse educator.  In addition access to the PMBH Graduate Program study days is offered.   Support to undertake Emergency service programs prior to supported placement in the Emergency Department is also provided.  Wauchope Hospital also conducts regular workshops and in-services, and provides learning packages eg venipuncture and cannulation.  Formal and informal debriefing sessions are built into the year.

Rotations

10 weeks at PMBH in the surgical ward, and rotations in Wauchope Day Surgery, medical ward, and emergency department.

Intakes

Where to from here - career opportunities, speciality programs, employment opportunities

New graduates experience a diverse range of clinical services to support transition from university to the acute care setting, and to develop the skills and confidence required to work in all areas of a small rural hospital.  Emphasis is on personal growth, teamwork, and leadership.  Depending on position availability graduates are offered permanent or casual employment on successful completion of the program.   

Accommodation

Social activities

Any links to local government, schools,  universities and clubs, etc

Any new graduate stories for sharing their experience at you site/network

Wauchope is a friendly town of 6000 situated on the Hastings River.  Just 20 kilometres west of Port Macquarie, enjoy surf beaches, vineyards, forest hinterlands.  Link to:

http://www.portmacquarieinfo.com.au/pages1.asp?code=15   

Wauchope Hospital provides RN clinical placements for undergraduates from University of New England, Newcastle University, and Southern Cross University 

 With the wide variety of clinical skills within one facility, I have found WDMH to be an excellent environment to gain the skills, confidence and experience for the transition from student nurse to RN.

With the constant support of a fantastic team of highly experienced and qualified staff, I have thoroughly enjoyed my new graduate year which has provided me  with experience and knowledge to grow and develop in the career that I love.

Amy Parker RN