SA Not For Profit Helping Hand is partnering with the Aged and Community Care Providers Association (ACCPA) on a graduate RN program to entice more nursing graduates into aged care, as the nation faces a nursing shortfall of thousands ahead of mandatory targets.
ACCPA is offering the 12-month Program to first-year graduate nurses, providing them with aged care mentorship and online professional development sessions.
Helping Hand, which operates retirement living, residential care and home care in Adelaide, is adding to the program, with two years’ employment, practical learning, and the opportunity to specialise in an area of interest in the second year, for example in wound management, dementia care, or palliative care.
To date, the Program has attracted 12 RNs, but more will be needed. Aged Care Minister Anika Wells recently said “thousands” more RNs were required to meet 1 July mandatory targets.
