Enrolled Nurse - Westwards Transition to Acute Practice

• Location: Western Health and Rural & Regional Partner Health Services
• Employment Type: Fixed Term, Part time with ongoing employment opportunities post-program
• Salary: Enrolled Nurse – Level 2 + Superannuation + Salary Packaging 

About the role:

Western Health’s Enrolled Nurse (EN) Transition to Acute Care Program – Westwards, is a unique opportunity for Enrolled Nurses to begin their career within one of Victoria’s largest and fastest growing health services, while gaining experience across metropolitan, rural and regional healthcare settings. 

As a Western Health employee, you will be supported through a structured transition program designed to build confidence, strengthen clinical capability and set you up for long-term career growth within our expanding health service, including future opportunities linked to the new Melton Hospital opening in 2029.  

You will commence your program employed by Western Health, working in supported clinical environments that help you consolidate your skills. The Westwards component of the program includes you undertaking supported secondments across rural and regional partner health services whilst staying employed at Western Health. These placements assist in giving you valuable exposure to diverse clinical settings and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in different communities. 

You remain a Western Health employee throughout the program, with ongoing employment and future opportunities to continue participating in Westwards secondments as part of your broader career pathway. This provides both stability and variety, with genuine opportunities for professional growth. 

Many Westwards placements include accommodation support and reasonable meal allowances, making regional work more accessible while you focus on building your skills and experience. 

This is more than a transition program, it’s a supported career pathway offering variety, purpose and long-term opportunity across Western Health and its partner services. 

Key responsibilities: 

• Deliver safe, compassionate and evidence-based nursing care across a variety of metropolitan, rural and regional clinical settings.
• Participate in a structured Transition to Acute Care Program including orientation, education sessions, mentorship and clinical support.
• Undertake Westwards secondments to partner health services to support workforce capacity and patient care delivery.
• Collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary teams to provide high-quality, person-centred care to diverse communities.
• Demonstrate flexibility, professionalism and commitment to continuous learning and development. 

About you: 

• Completed a Diploma of Nursing and eligible for registration as an Enrolled Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).
• Minimum 12 months’ experience working as an Enrolled Nurse within a healthcare setting. \
• Committed to completing a program rotation (3 months) in a Westwards secondments across rural and regional partner health services.
• Willing and able to work 0.8 FTE (8 shifts a fortnight).
• Willing and able to work a 7-day rotating roster across a variety of shifts in line with service requirements.
• Adaptable, resilient and motivated to work across diverse metropolitan, rural and regional clinical environments. 

Click here for the Position Description

About Western Health 

Western Health is one of the largest healthcare providers in Victoria, caring for a vibrant, diverse and rapidly growing community of one million people in Melbourne’s western suburbs.   

With more than 13,000 staff, Western Health delivers 800,000+ occasions of care every year, providing high-quality, person-centred care across every life stage.  

We provide a combination of hospital, community-based, at-home and in-reach services to aged, adult and paediatric patients and newborn babies. Specialties include oncology, renal, mental health, women’s health and maternity, chronic diseases, geriatrics and cardiology.  

We have remarkable strengths in chronic disease, complex care and developing innovative and sustainable healthcare solutions. Our experience at the coalface of healthcare delivery for some of Australia’s most culturally and socioeconomically diverse and vulnerable populations provides us with unique insights into the most pressing health challenges. 

Western Health operates four acute public hospitals: Sunshine Hospital (including Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s), Footscray Hospital, Williamstown Hospital and Bacchus Marsh Hospital. We also operate Sunbury Community Hospital, Sunshine Mental Health and Wellbeing Centre, Melton Health and Community Services, Bacchus Marsh Community Health Centre, Caroline Springs Community Health Centre and Grant Lodge Residential Aged Care in Bacchus Marsh. Western Health also provides the primary healthcare service at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, a women’s prison located in Ravenhall. 

Why join us? 

Compensation and benefits 

• Competitive salary packages aligned with market standards.
• Health and wellbeing programs, including flexible work arrangements.
• Scholarships and grants to support your continuous learning journey. 

Learning and development opportunities 

• Access the Western Health Learning Academy (WHA) for personalised learning pathways.
• Professional growth programs, including postgraduate studies and clinical education.
• Mentorship and career support. 

Community impact and inclusion 

• Make a meaningful difference in patients’ lives through compassionate care.
• Join a workforce that champions diversity and inclusion.
• Engage in community wellbeing initiatives and groundbreaking healthcare research. 

Organisational culture and environment 

• Thrive in a collaborative, compassionate and innovative team environment.
• Be part of a culture that celebrates continuous improvement and excellence in healthcare. 

Ready to make an impact? 

If you’re passionate about patient-centred care, professional growth, adventure and supporting rural and regional communities, we’d love to hear from you. Simply click on the “apply” button and follow the prompts. 

If you are currently employed at Western Health, please ensure you sign in through the 'Employee Login' via the external Careers Page or access the Careers Page via the intranet before applying.  

Closing date: 11:59pm on 8 July 2026.

Enquiries: For further information about this role, contact Nursing and Midwifery Workforce Unit via [email protected].

Western Health is an equal opportunity employer committed to attracting and retaining diversity in our workforce. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. 

Western Health is committed to providing a safe environment for the children and young people who are involved in our services, sites and operations. We follow and abide by all legislative requirements to keep children and young people safe. 

All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory Police Record Check, an Immunisation Status Clearance and a Working with Children Check (if applicable).