New Graduate Programme
Auckland District Health Board
National Women’s provides maternity care to women in the central Auckland area. There
are approximately 7,500 births per year and services are spread across the region to include
community clinics, women’s homes, outpatient clinics, and inpatient care. Our midwives are
providing care across the spectrum from women with normal pregnancies and birth to those
with high risk complications.
National Women’s facilities are purpose built and include the Labour and Birthing Suite,
Women’s Assessment Unit, high and low risk antenatal and postnatal wards and clinics and
the medical and diabetes clinics. The community midwifery service is situated at our
Greenlane location.
National Women’s provides mentors to guide and support new midwives to adapt to full
autonomous midwifery practice. Our midwives enjoy a full innovative learning programme
and support to achieve all Midwifery Council requirements for competency and
recertification. All midwives are encouraged to participate in career enhancing programmes
on leadership, education and quality projects. Some financial support is available for
undertaking research or postgraduate education through application to Auckland DHB trust
funds.
Benefits of the New Graduate Programme at Auckland DHB:
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ADHB offer a Midwifery First Year of Practice programme in conjunction with the
Ministry of Health for NZ graduates who have recently qualified.
This programme is a 12 month programme of mentored support, and rotation
through areas to achieve a variety of midwifery experiences.
On average there are four placements (3 months each). This provides a vast
exposure caring across the scope of midwifery practice for women and babies of
mixed complexity, with a strong focus on achieving normal outcomes.
All new graduates can expect to consolidate their experience in our Labour and
Birthing Suite, complex antenatal/ postnatal inpatient care, Women’s Assessment
Unit and Community services (though some may not work in all of the above areas).
Paid study day with other new graduates.
Work 0.8 full time equivalent (4x8 hour shifts per week), allowing time for the New
Graduate Mentor Programme.
You will be awarded a Certificate of Completion at the end of the year.
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Gain Labour and Birthing Suite experience with a clinical tutor on hand and support
from experienced staff.
You will be provided with a two week orientation to each area.
National Women’s run a comprehensive training programme which can be viewed
on our web site www.nwhealthinfo.co.nz. All new practitioners can use their 18
hours MFYP hours to attend these.
Following the New Graduate Programme:
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Permanent full or part time employment at ADHB.
Ability to request placements (1-2 rosters) to WAU, High Risk Wards 96 and 98,
Labour and Birthing Suite and Tamaki Ward.
Opportunity to enjoy normal births and focus on challenges and diversity of caring
for women with complex pregnancies.
On-going professional support from a senior midwifery team.
Opportunity to advance career into leadership roles.
Opportunity to further professional knowledge with support for further education.
Working within Auckland DHB:
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Many midwives are recent graduates, especially from AUT, so remember what it is
like to be a new graduate.
We foster an environment that is supportive of our colleagues.
Many of our midwives are senior midwives with vast experience, who are supportive
in the role of preceptor and have enjoyed teaching students and new graduates for
many years.
Many midwives are involved in post graduate education at AUT or on our Complex
Care Course.
You will enjoy working with an interdisciplinary team including physio’s, doctors,
independent midwives and physicians.
ADHB supports the funding of your recertification programme which includes
technical skills, midwifery standard review and Annual Practicing Certificate in
accordance with the MERAS/NZNO MECA’s.
The following is a statement from a new graduate midwife:
“It’s scary coming out as a new graduate midwife but joining the team at NWH made for a
smooth transition from student to qualified practitioner. Everyone was welcoming and
supportive. I was encouraged to ask questions, of which there were many, and was never
made to feel a question was anything other than worthwhile. Nor did I feel any hesitation in
asking for help and/or guidance. I was allowed to start small in terms of patient load,
teaming first with an experienced midwife then having 1 or 2 women to take care of on my
own, moving up to 4 and more as I felt able. Working 8hour shifts until I found my feet was
certainly a good way to go but having the flexibility to change to 12 hour shifts allowed me
to accommodate the needs of my family as well. Rotating around the various maternity
wards has enabled me to identify where my interests lie and further my development
accordingly. In the spirit of the learning never stopping the study days are terrific and a great
way to get to know other members of staff across a range of disciplines. Following the New
Graduate programme I was invited to apply for a place in the Complex Care Course (run by
NWH in collaboration with AUT). Usually restricted to those with at least 2 years
postgraduate experience, I was delighted that my interest in this arena was recognised and I
was being given the opportunity to further develop my skills. Good luck and welcome aboard
the good ship National Women’s”
For more information on career opportunities at National Women’s Health please contact:
Judy Cottrell
Midwifery Educator
Tel: 021 777 873
E-mail: jcottrell@adhb.govt.nz
Maggie O’Brien
Director of Midwifery
Tel: 021 413 606
E-mail: MaggieOB@adhb.govt.nz