Graduate Support Nurse - Mental Health

• Location: Footscray Hospital
• Employment Type: Part-Time (32 hours/week), Ongoing
• Salary: RPN Grade 3 + Superannuation + Salary Packaging

About the role:

The Graduate Support Nurse (Mental Health) is responsible for providing practical, hands-on clinical support to graduate nurses working on Ward 4A at Footscray Hospital.

Working directly alongside graduate and early-career nurses within the clinical setting, the Graduate Support Nurse assists in developing their clinical competence and confidence in practice. The role operates under the guidance of the Nurse unit Manager, the Mental Health Graduate Nurse Coordinator, and the Unit based Mental health Clinical Nurse Educator, providing additional support to both graduate nurses and their preceptors.

This position may involve working both morning and afternoon shifts to align with clinical and educational needs.

The Graduate Support Nurse contributes to the continuous improvement of consumer care by enhancing the knowledge, skills, and professional development of graduate nurses. Through mentorship, role modelling, and the demonstration of advanced clinical expertise, the role fosters a culture of critical thinking, reflective practice, and lifelong learning. It supports the implementation of processes, policies, and practices that promote recovery-oriented care and enable graduate nurses to deliver high-quality, person-centred mental health services.

Key responsibilities:

• Provide clinical support, guidance, assessment, and mentorship to graduate, postgraduate, and early-career mental health nurses, promoting their professional growth and clinical competence.
• Deliver hands-on support across multiple mental health units, maintaining a visible clinical presence and working rostered shifts, including afternoons and weekends, to meet service needs.
• Foster a positive, safe, and supportive learning environment that encourages reflective practice, competency development, evidence-based care, and high-quality mental health nursing practice.
• Monitor, evaluate, and support the progress and performance of graduate and early-career nurses, including participation in clinical assessments and performance management processes.
• Role model recovery-oriented, person-centred care by applying evidence-based practice, promoting consumer self-determination and self-management, and maintaining current professional knowledge and skills through ongoing development.

About you:

• Current AHPRA registration as a Registered Nurse in Australia.
• Successful completion of Postgraduate qualifications in mental health nursing.
• Minimum of 5 years' experience.
• Advanced risk assessment and crisis management skills.
• Currently working in a nursing leadership role or experience.
• Experience as a Clinical Preceptor.

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 delivering high-quality leadership and empowering graduate nurses to achieve excellence in care delivery, 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 30 August 2026.

Enquiries: For further information about this role, contact:

Name: Belinda Strangis 

Title: Nurse Unit Manager

Email:  ***************@wh.org.au

Alternate Contact: Rebecca Long

Title: Team Leader

Email: ************@wh.org.au

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).

Western Health is committed to the psychosocial safety of all applicants and employees.

Western Health does not accept unsolicited resumes/applications from recruitment agencies.