Welcoming our newest nurses to the health system

More than 300 new Registered Nurses are joining Tasmania’s health system, growing the State’s health workforce as they begin their nursing careers.

The graduate nurses are commencing across a range of health settings state-wide, including our major hospitals, district hospitals, community health and mental health services.

Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Bridget Archer, said the graduate nurses will be part of the Transition to Practice program, which supports nurses in transitioning from student to registered health professional.

“I would like to warmly welcome all graduate nurses to our health system. This is an exciting time for them personally and professionally as they embark on their nursing careers,’’ Minister Archer said.

“As our largest health workforce in Tasmania, nurses are vital to the delivery of health care to the Tasmanian community, not only in our hospitals but across a range of other health settings.

“The graduate nurses will commence across the State in the coming months, including 137 in Hospitals South, 88 in Hospitals North, 56 in Hospitals North West, and 24 within Statewide Mental Health Services. The majority are commencing between January and April.

“Through the Transition to Practice program, graduate nurses are closely supported, enabling them to gain valuable experience in real-world nursing clinical environments as they transition from nursing student to registered health professional.

“I would like to congratulate each of our graduates on reaching this significant milestone in their careers and thank them for making the terrific decision to work in our health system.

“The Tasmanian Government is delivering the health workforce our State needs to meet health demand now and into the future.”

Graduate nurses joining the Tasmanian Health Service in 2026 are eligible to apply for a scholarship of $10,000 through the Transition to Practice program when they remain employed within the THS for three years or more.

The scholarship is paid in two instalments of $5,000 per year during the second and third years of employment.