"Take your first steps in Paediatric Nursing with us!"
The Children, Youth and Women's Health Service is South Australia's leading provider of health services to children, young people and women. The Women's and Children's Hospital provides specialist health care services to children and young people with acute and chronic conditions. The hospital also provides the state's largest maternity and obstetric service.
The Transition to Professional Practice Program (TPPP RN) provides the newly Registered Nurse an opportunity to gain Paediatric experience, knowledge and clinical skills within their first year of practice. Various program options are available including
Dedicated Paediatric Program
Collaborative Paediatric/Adult Program
Dedicated Peri operative Program
Dedicated Paediatric Program
A dedicated Paediatric Program will provide new Registered Nurses with a comprehensive Paediatric experience during their first year of practice. Two placements will be offered within the Women's and Children's Hospital. Participants in this program will also attend Paediatric study days throughout the year.
Collaborative Paediatric/Adult Program (Women's and Children's Hospital and Royal Adelaide Hospital)
A Collaborative Paediatric/Adult Program will give new Registered Nurses the opportunity to experience a paediatric placement at the Women's and Children's Hospital and an adult placement at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. Participants will attend relevant study days at each organisation during their placements.
Dedicated Perioperative Program
In 2012 a dedicated Perioperative Program will be available. This option will offer either a twelve month rotation within Recovery and Anaesthetics or a twelve month rotation within the Scrub/Scout area. Please see 'Clinical Placement Opportunities' below for more information about these specialty areas
Clinical Placement Opportunities
Clinical placements are conducted in the Medical and Surgical wards and various specialty areas allowing the new Registered Nurse to develop a wide range of Paediatric nursing skills. Placements in 2012 may include
Paediatric Intensive Care,
Paediatric Mental Health,
Adolescent Ward,
Rose Ward (Babies under 12 months),
Peri operative Services
Paediatric Emergency,
Neonatal Intensive Care,
Special Care Baby Unit,
Oncology/Haematology
PAEDIATRIC SURGICAL SERVICES
Newland Ward
Paediatric Surgical Ambulatory Service
Day of Surgery Admissions (DOSA)
Day Surgery Unit
Campbell Ward
Peri operative Services
Paediatric Surgical Services provides many dynamic learning opportunities for Graduate Nurses in the areas of orthopaedics, burns, neurosurgery, craniofacial, ophthalmology, ENT (ear, nose and throat), urology, plastic, minor cardiac and general surgery.
Newland Ward
Newland ward is a 36 bed ward and is the main paediatric surgical unit for South Australia. Newland ward provides expert care to patients and families after surgery or trauma. Newland ward cares for patients from all Surgical specialties which provides Graduate Nurses with many fulfilling learning experiences and exposure to a wide variety of skills. Newland ward surgical specialties include – Neurosurgery, craniofacial surgery, ophthalmology, orthopaedic surgery, burns, plastic surgery, urology, general surgery, thoracic surgery, ENT (ear nose throat), some minor cardiac surgery, dentistry and rehabilitation services. In the team trained environment, Graduate Nurses are supported with a buddy, Team Leader each shift and preceptors.
Paediatric Surgical Ambulatory Service
Day of Surgery Admissions Area
Pre operative area where children are prepared for their elective surgical/medical intervention
Children and families go through an admission process that allows them to ask questions and clarify concerns before their procedure starts.
As DOSA is often the first point of contact to the hospital for many families it is essential to have refined communication skills. DOSA also provides graduate nurses with the opportunity to improve their handover, assessment and communication skills.
Paediatric Day Surgery Unit
This unit has 20 beds which cater for paediatric patients undergoing day surgery procedures under anaesthetic. The average length of stay is 1-2hours.
There is a high turn over of patients which allows graduate nurses to refine their organisation and observation skills and discharge education proficiency.
Campbell Ward
Campbell ward is dedicated to the care of paediatric patients who have undergone procedures requiring anaesthesia followed by a short stay in hospital of up to 36 hours. Campbell ward is team trained and provides graduate nurses with support and learning opportunities in many areas of paediatric surgical nursing.
Perioperative Services
Recovery and Anaesthetics
In a dedicated Recovery and Anaesthetic rotation in Rogerson and QVOS Theatres, Transitioning Registered Nurses will be involved in both paediatric and obstetric fields, inclusive of a wide range of surgical specialties. TPPP RN's learn aspects of the theory and practices behind safe, holistic care in the anaesthetic and recovery phases of perioperative care. TPPP RN's also develop skills in critically assessing and reflecting on changes in techniques and approaches, as well decision making and effective communication skills in the acute clinical setting.
Scrub/Scout
The dedicated Perioperative program aims to provide the TPPP nurse with the opportunity to develop the skills and understand the concepts required to underpin their practice in the areas of scrub/ scout nursing.
TPPP nurses will be involved in both paediatric and obstetric fields, inclusive of a wide range of surgical specialties, developing skills in critically assessing and reflecting on changes in techniques and approaches, as well decision making and effective communication skills in the acute clinical setting.
DIVISION OF PAEDIATRIC MEDICINE
4th Floor Medical (1, 2 & 3)
Paediatric Emergency
Paediatric Intensive Care Unit
Adolescent Ward
Rose Ward
Haematology/Oncology Service
The Division of Paediatric Medicine provides many dynamic learning opportunities for Graduate Nurses in the areas of General Medicine, Respiratory, Endocrine, Metabolic, Cardiac, Renal, Gastroenterology and Neurology.
Opportunities are provided to work in the following areas of the division: 4th Floor Medical, Paediatric Emergency Department, Department of Paediatric Critical Care, Adolescent ward and Rose ward (neonates and infants to 1 year of age)
Medical 1/3 Ward
Medical 1/3 Ward is funded for 27 beds and admit children aged 0-18years. Children are generally admitted under the General Medical Teams, of which there are 3 and generally stay for 1-3 days. The most common admitting reasons are bronchiolitis, asthma, UTIs, epilepsy and pneumonia. Med 1/3 also care for some special long-term patients with complex medical conditions.
Medical 2 Ward
Medical 2 Ward is funded for 12-13 beds and admit children aged 0-18years. Children are generally admitted under the specialty medical teams and can stay from anywhere between 1 day and multiple years (depending on their medical condition). The speciality medical teams include Respiratory, Cardiology, Endocrine, Renal, Neurology, Immunology, Gastroenterology, Metabolic, Rheumatology and the Child Protection Unit. The most common admitting diagnoses on Med 2 ward include cystic fibrosis, diabetes, chronic gastrointestinal conditions, renal transplants, and chronic respiratory conditions.
Adolescent Ward
The Adolescent ward offers services to 12-18 year old patients in the many specialties of medical, orthopaedic, endocrine, neurology, rehabilitation and gastroenterology nursing. Although primarily a medical ward, the staff work closely with the Department of Psychological Medicine and surgical services in the provision of care.
Rose Ward
Rose ward is a medical and surgical unit delivering care to neonates and infants to one year of age. Many of the infants have complex needs and require hospitalisation for many months. The family plays an integral part in the child's care and the complete needs of the family unit are taken into consideration. The range of conditions treated includes infectious diseases, orthopaedic, respiratory, cardiac, neurology, craniofacial and many others. Nutrition, growth, development and infant mental health issues are primary concerns in this unit. The ward includes facilities to admit the parents of newborn infants requiring care.
Paediatric Emergency Department
The Paediatric Emergency Department provides a 24 hour service for children and young adolescents. The department covers all specialties including mental health services and is the Paediatric Trauma Centre for South Australia. Nurses working in the area require exceptional assessment skills and have the opportunity to master several advanced practices including cannulation, trauma cast application and gluing of superficial wounds
Paediatric of Critical Care Medicine (PICU and PHDU)
The Paediatric Intensive Care unit (PICU) is a specialised area where children of all ages receive care from a highly skilled team of health professionals. 8 beds within the unit are allocated for intensive care and 4 beds are allocated for high dependency patients
Haematology/Oncology Service
Brookman ward is an 8 bed acute ward caring for Oncology and Haematology patients. The majority of patients are admitted for the following reasons:
Diagnosis/treatment
Complications of malignancies or treatment
Bone marrow transplant
Palliative care/respite
Pain management
Complications of haemophilia
Aplastic anaemia
Ideopathic Thrombocytopenia (ITP)
Other haematological conditions eg Thalassaemia
The Little Heros Clinic (Outpatients) occurs daily and cares for patients requiring planned and emergency review and/or treatment. Oncology patients may be admitted to the Little Heros clinic as day patients for some phases of treatment. The clinic is staffed from 0830-1700, Monday to Friday and manages triage calls and admissions during these hours
CHILD, ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE (CAMHS)
Boylan Ward
Boylan ward is a 12 bed unit of the Division of Child, Adolescent Mental Health Service. It provides an inpatient environment where clients up to the age of 18 years can work through their mental health issues with the assistance of a specialist multidisciplinary team that are experienced in supporting young people and their families. This is a statewide facility and provides a unique experience for graduates to work with experienced mental health nurses in this specialist area.
A placement in Boylan Ward includes providing individual care to the patients, involvement in family therapy, group participation and collaborative liaison with various community services and schools. You will also become familiar with the numerous acts and legislations that apply to this area.
Boylan ward also supports the Graduate Certificate in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Nursing for Registered Nurses who are Registered Mental Health Nurses and also supports the Graduate Diploma of Mental Health Nursing for Registered Nurses seeking to become Registered Mental Health Nurses
WOMEN'S AND BABIES DIVISION (WABS)
Opportunities exist for Graduate Nurses to complete placements in selected units within the Women's and Babies Division
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is responsible for the provision of care for babies in need of intensive (Level 6) care born at the WCH, or elsewhere in South Australia, the Northern Territory, Western Victoria and the far west of New South Wales. It can accommodate up to 16 neonates requiring respiratory support, central line management and continuous observation. Gestational ages range from 23 to 42 weeks. Programs supported by NICU are the Graduate Certificate of Health/Master of Clinical Nursing Neonatal Intensive Care, the Graduate Midwifery Program, the Graduate Nurse Program and the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner role.
Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU)
SCBU is divided into 3 nurseries and a Parenting Unit. This unit manages preterm neonates from as early as 32 weeks gestation to ‘Term' neonates (ie. 37 weeks – 42 week gestation). Neonates may be admitted from all areas of the WABS division as well as retrievals/transfers from outlying hospitals and occasionally neonates from home. SCBU assists Medstar with the transfers of Newborns – Neonates to outlying hospitals once their condition stabilises.
SCBU also offers a Nursery Domiciliary service and the unique Neonatal Early Discharge Program or NED. NED allows neonates to be discharged home on gavage feeds performed by parents with close follow up by nursery staff.
Programs supported by SCBU are the Transition to Nurse Practice, the Transition to Midwifery Practice, the Neonatal Special Care Course, Refresher/Re-entry Midwives, Aboriginal Maternal and Infant Care Workers, Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) Student Midwives and the Employment of Assistants in Midwifery and Enrolled Nurses.
Educational Opportunities and Ongoing Career Development
New Registered Nurses are provided with a comprehensive orientation to the organisation at the beginning of the program and to the clinical environments at the commencement of each clinical placement.
All TPPP RN's will attend the Paediatric Foundation Studies course which provides an introduction to Paediatric nursing. Dedicated program participants will complete the 5 modules. Collaborative program participants will complete the initial modules with the opportunity to complete the remaining study days following their TPPP RN. These study days are also complimented by unit specific education opportunities and other hospital activities.
Specific TPPP RN education sessions are also held every Wednesday of the month. These opportunities allow Graduates to debrief and develop further clinical knowledge and critical thinking skills.
Following a TPPP RN, employees can access a wide range of educational activities and opportunities to further their Paediatric career.
Performance Development
Clinical appraisals are completed within the TPPP RN, allowing the Registered Nurse to monitor their progress and clinical development across the year.
TPPP Support
All Registered Nurses participating in the TPPP RN are provided with comprehensive support from a variety of people including
Associate Clinical Service Coordinators (Education)
Nurse Education Facilitators
Practice Support People (Preceptors)
Clinical Service Coordinators
Nurse Management Facilitators
Transition to Professional Practice Nurse Education Facilitator
Information Session
The TPPP-RN Information Session will be held on 26th July 2011 1000-1200 in the Queen Victoria Lecture Theatre. Participants will be given the opportunity to meet with ward based educators and the Transition to Practice Coordinator to discuss the program. RSVP is not required
Completion of Program
A ceremony is held each February for Registered Nurses who have completed their Transition to Professional Practice Program
Applying for the Program
Recruitment to 2012 SA Health Transition to Professional Practice Programs will be done via a centralised process. For more detailed information regarding the application process, please visit http://www.sahealthcareers.com.au/index.php
Further Information
For further information about the Transition to Professional Practice Program for Registered Nurses at the Women's and Children's Hospital, please contact:
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