Graduate Mental Health Nurse Program

Graduate Mental Health Nurse Program


Specialise in mental health nursing at Orygen

Take the next step in your nursing career and help young people with mental ill-health get well and stay well. 

The Graduate Mental Health Nurse Program, delivered in partnership with NorthWestern Mental Health, Royal Melbourne Hospital will give you the skills for a specialist career in youth mental health nursing.

In 2024, Orygen is offering a two-year program with six positions available. The program includes:

  • clinical supervision and a preceptorship program
  • comprehensive academic and induction programs
  • tailored study days 
  • a unique competency framework
  • an accredited graduate program with several Victorian universities.

As part of your practical experience, in your first year you'll work with experienced nurses and clinicians across a range of inpatient and sub-acute settings. In your second year you’ll work in the community, in home settings and in specialist teams. 

Orygen will support you, your career and wellbeing and work with you to deliver better outcomes for young people.  

You’ll also benefit from learning at Orygen, the largest mental health research organisation in Australia and the largest clinical research organisation for youth mental health in the world. 

Learn more about the employee benefits available to you as an Orygen employee on our careers page.

Application process

NorthWestern Mental Health is managing the application process for these roles through the Postgraduate Medical Council of Victoria (PMCV) Placement and Allocation Service. Follow the steps below to learn more:

  1. Review the Orygen Graduate Mental Health Nurse position description.
  2. Register for and attend an information session.
  3. Follow the application process on The Royal Melbourne Hospital application page.

Interview process

Orygen will hold individual face-to-face interviews during August 2023. If you're selected for interview, we'll contact you with a date and time for your interview.

You'll need to bring a certified copy of your academic transcript, professional passport photo and two written references with you to your interview.

Outcome and offer

The PMCV outcome will be published at 10am on Monday 2 October 2023. You'll receive a notification from PMCV with your outcome. If you're offered a position, you'll have 72 hours to accept the offer and we'll be in touch with you after this time.

Hear from our graduates

"The support I've received has been phenomenal. The work can be demanding but there was never a moment as a graduate nurse where I felt alone and I faced challenges. I cannot imagine being where I am as a nurse today if I had completed my graduate program anywhere else."

jake bushe, clinical nurse educator

"There were many rotations offered in the program and a lot of support from the graduate coordinators. Working with young people and their families is highly rewarding. It's great seeing young people recover and successfully return to their life in the community."

Alex abela, former graduate nurse

If you have any questions or to learn more about this opportunity, email us at mhnurse@orygen.org.au