Our nursing graduates

Caitlin, Nursing Graduate -2017 & Cancer Project Lead for Cerner Oncology

I completed my graduate year at Alfred Health in 2017 on ward 7 East (Haematology and Oncology). I became interested in Cancer nursing as a second-year student through meeting a clinical teacher who was a CNS on 7 East. I completed my third-year acute placements on 7 East and found out on placement on an AM shift in October 2016 that I was offered my graduate year at Alfred Health, and on 7 East; I was ecstatic.  

After my graduate year, I focused on completing all Haematology and Oncology credentialing requirements, e.g. ADAC. In 2019 I was a preceptor to two graduate nurses; this role gave me the opportunity to be a mentor, and I developed a passion for supporting and educating junior staff. During this time, I also completed a three-month ANUM rotation, where I developed leadership and management skills. At the start of 2020, I was offered a secondment role in Nursing Education as a Clinical Support Nurse for Cancer Services; this role enhanced my understanding of providing professional support and facilitating education. In November 2020, I returned to 7 East as an ANUM; returning to this role enhanced my problem-solving and leadership skills and understanding of how best to support learning for all staff. The role also highlighted my overall knowledge of hospital management.  Lastly, I am on secondment as a Cancer Clinical Project Lead for Cerner Oncology. We are digitalising our hybrid chemotherapy and supportive care processes in this project. I am also completing my final year of my Masters of Oncology.   

I am very grateful for all the opportunities and support I have received throughout my career at Alfred Health. In addition, I have been fortunate to work with many incredible mentors that have all shaped and enhanced my nursing career.  The advice that I would give to a graduate nurse is to say yes to every learning opportunity and to work/find a speciality that you are passionate about.   

Avtar, Mental Health Graduate 2022

I am extremely fortunate to be a graduate of Alfred’s Mental and Addiction health graduate program 2021. I am fortunate that I was offered to work alongside highly skilled mental health clinicians both in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Acute Inpatient Unit. This initial chapter of my nursing profession has proven to be both highly educational and rewarding. Working in acute setting has exposed me to a wide spectrum of clinical situations & challenges which has considerably improved my clinical skills. The unwavering support of my co-workers and nursing educators has given me the confidence to confront any clinical situation. The work environment at the Alfred is inclusive and the support systems for the staff are maximised. I am extremely grateful for all the amazing experiences I have had while working as a graduate at the Alfred.

Mietta, Graduate Nurse 2021

I commenced my Graduate Year at Alfred Health in 2021. My first rotation was at Caulfield Hospital on AC1, a neurology and burns rehabilitation ward. During this rotation it was rewarding to assist patients in working towards achieving their rehabilitation goals and also challenging as many patients required full nursing care. Learning to manage these competing demands and patient loads strengthened my time management and care prioritisation skills.

My second rotation was at The Alfred on 7West, a gastroenterology and infectious disease ward, which transitioned into a COVID ward. Working on a fast-paced acute ward during the COVID pandemic developed my resilience and ability to work effectively under pressure. It was extraordinary to witness the support and camaraderie between nurses and everyone’s optimism and willingness to help and encourage each other.

Rotating between the two hospitals has enabled me to transfer skills that I learnt at each hospital into my nursing practice. This includes having insight into the rehabilitation needs of a patient, understanding the care needs of dependant patients and reassuring patients being transferred to Caulfield Hospital about their ongoing care, assisting in relieving their uncertainty and anxiety.

Throughout my Graduate Program, the clinical support nurses, nurse educators and nursing staff have offered ongoing support and guidance demonstrating their commitment to enhancing my learning and development. Their continuous encouragement and dedication has assisted me in excelling within my nursing practice and shaped me into the nurse I am today.

I am extremely grateful to have completed my Graduate Year at Alfred Health and to have the privilege to work alongside such supportive, conscientious and dedicated nursing staff.

Cassie, Graduate Nurse 2018 & Clinical Support Nurse 2021

Hi, my name is Cassie and I’m currently working as a Clinical Support Nurse for Cancer Services at Alfred Health. I completed my final year of my bachelor of nursing here at the Alfred and had the opportunity to complete my mental health placement here in the psych inpatient ward and go out with the CAT team. I then had my 2 acute placements on the haematology/oncology ward for a 2- and 6-week placement block. While I was in my 6-week placement I got offered a grad year on the haematology/oncology ward (7 East) at the Alfred for 2017. I finished my graduate year in early 2018 and had the opportunity to rotate to HOC for 6 weeks where I got to experience the outpatient setting.

I completed my ADAC training and continued my learning on 7 East where I had the opportunity to preceptor undergraduates and graduates. I also had the opportunity to fill in the Cancer Liaison Role where I would check in with the outlier cancer patients around the hospital and help support the other wards with caring for cancer patients. I also had an opportunity to complete an ANUM rotation on 7E for 3 months where I learnt leadership and management skills. Lastly, I had an opportunity to enter nursing education after nursing for 4 years to cover a MAT leave position as a Clinical Support Nurse in Cancer Services where my contract was originally for 3 months and is now extended for over a year. I can’t thank Alfred enough for all the opportunities they have given me and especially 7 East for believing in me as a young undergraduate all those years ago.

Priya, Graduate Nurse 2020

I have been extremely fortunate to do my graduate nurse program at the Alfred. I have found that this first chapter of my nursing career has been a challenging yet incredibly rewarding experience. Working in such an acute hospital has exposed me to wide range of complex conditions which has developed my clinical skills significantly. The never-ending support from fellow staff and nursing educators has made me feel confident in approaching any clinical scenario. I have so far loved my graduate program as I have found the Alfred work culture, for both graduates and all staff members, as highly inclusive, deeply educational and always encouraging.

Natasha, Graduate Nurse - 2019

I remember feeling so excited to start my graduate year on 5 East and really looking forward to joining the army of nurses in navy scrubs, who all seemed so passionate about patient care and their work at Alfred Health.

From day one, I felt welcomed and supported, especially by my amazing graduate support nurses, clinical educators, manager and my clinical support and development nurse.

The program was well structured and offered an excellent orientation program with an approachable ward preceptor providing supernumerary time as needed. Clinical hurdles were set throughout the year to ensure that various skills and ward-based objectives were met, with feedback regularly given. Numerous opportunities were provided to increase my confidence and develop knowledge and skills through in-services, clinical tutorials and study days.

I am so grateful for the privilege to have completed my graduate year at Alfred Health and to have met and been surrounded by so many caring and dedicated people, all focussed on the provision of safe patient centred outcomes. The program has provided me with a very solid foundation to what will hopefully become a long and rewarding career.