RN Refresher Program

The Registered Nurse (RN) Refresher Program provides scholarship and clinical support to RN’s seeking an opportunity to return to practice or refresh skills in the acute or sub-acute hospital setting.   

St Vincent’s are seeking applications from external and internal registered nurses who are interested to partake in the Registered Nurse (RN) Refresher Program for 2026. 

Program commencement date 1st June 2026.

To find out more

Join the St Vincent’s 2026 RN Refresher Program Information Session online, Monday, 16th March 2026, 4pm.

Microsoft Teams – click here to join. 

  • St Vincent’s invites prospective applicants to join an online information session for the upcoming Registered Nurse (RN) Refresher Program, commencing 1st June 2026. 
  • During the session we will provide an overview of the program, covering the eligibility criteria, program structure, support available, and tips for applying. Attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions and gain valuable insights into what to expect during the program. 
  • The session will be recorded for those that are unable to attend.  

Contact

For all general enquiries, please contact: svhm.rnrefresherprogram@svha.org.au 

About the Program

RN Refresher Program 

SVHM is offering Registered Nurses the opportunity to confidently re-enter the nursing workforce or refresh prior skills and return to the hospital setting in a supported program. This structured Refresher program combines education, ward-based clinical learning, and dedicated support to help you build clinical confidence and strengthen contemporary nursing skills. 

$10,000 Department of Health scholarships are available* to assist eligible candidates with the costs associated with participation, including living expenses and travel while completing the unpaid program.  

This supported RN Refresher program is designed for Registered Nurses who are looking to: 

  • Return to clinical practice after a period away from nursing  
  • Refresh and consolidate skills to return to nursing in either a subacute or acute setting 

External and internal applicants are welcome to apply 

Participants will benefit from: 

  • Clinical Experience: Gain hands-on experience in a clinical setting, supported by expert nurses and a dedicated nursing leadership team. 
  • Clinical Supervision: Participate in a fully supported program, working under the supervision of a Registered Nurse for the duration of the program. You will receive structured guidance, feedback, and support from nursing educators and peers to consolidate your clinical skills safely and confidently. 
  • Professional Development Opportunities: Attend orientation and structured study days, including completion of SVHM Mandatory training requirements, to support safe practice and contemporary clinical standards. 
Eligibility Criteria:

To be eligible for the St. Vincent’s RN Refresher program, you will have: 

  • Current Nursing Registration: Current nursing registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (via AHPRA), without conditions. 
  • Educational Background: A degree in General Nursing that meets the registration requirements of Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) standards. 
  • Professional Experience: 
    • Internal applicants: SVHM RN's currently employed with previous nursing experience in an area outside of their usual employment, seeking to refresh skills. Applicants must have a minimum of 12 months acute nursing experience, within their nursing career.
    • External applicants: RN’s who are not currently employed as an RN, or with previous nursing experience in an area outside of their usual employment, seeking to refresh skills. Applicants must have had a minimum of 12 months acute nursing experience, within their nursing career.  
      * Previous experience in preferred area is desirable
  • Scholarship Eligibility: Participants must not have previously received a Department of Health scholarship to complete a nursing or midwifery refresher program. 
    • Agree to complete the program and seek employment in the targeted clinical area of practice in the Victorian public health sector following completion of the program. 
    • Internal applicants undertaking the refresher program to upskill are eligible to apply for a scholarship as they will not be earning a salary whilst undertaking the refresher program. Internal applicants can contact Education and Learning via email svhm.rnrefresherprogram@svha.org.au for further information.  
  • Commitment to Employment: Be able to commit to a minimum of 3 shifts per week, with 2 being on consecutive days. 
  • Current Working Rights:  Individuals applying for refresher program scholarships are not required to be Australian or New Zealand citizens, Australian permanent residents to Australian permanent humanitarian visa holders. However, they must ensure the conditions of their visa do not impede them from undertaking the refresher program. 
RN Refresher Program Offerings: 

Participants may opt to undertake either of the FTE options to complete the program. 

  • 0.6 FTE for 10 weeks: 1st June 2026 – 9th August 2026  
  • 0.8 FTE for 8 weeks: 1st June 2026 – 26th July 2026 

** Minimum 220 contact hours are required to successfully complete the program. 

Areas Available 2026: 

The RN Refresher program will be delivered at St. Vincent’s acute hospital sites (St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, St. Vincent’s on the Park, East Melbourne or St George's Health Service, Kew). Positions are available across acute services: 

  • Neurosurgery 
  • Orthopaedics 
  • Gastroenterology, Urology and Colorectal 
  • Upper Gastrointestinal, Hepatobiliary and Breast and Endocrine 
  • Plastics, Vascular and Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) 
  • Cardiothoracic 
  • Renal, Rheumatology and Endocrinology 
  • General Medicine 
  • Haematology and Oncology 
  • Cardiology  

Positions are also available in the following clinical areas: 

  • Perioperative services, including Scrub-Scout, Anaesthetics, Endoscopy, Day Procedures. 
  • Subacute services, including Rehabilitation and Geriatric Evaluation Management (GEM) 

Scholarships

To be eligible for the scholarship component of the program, participants must not have previously received a Department of Health scholarship to complete a nursing or midwifery refresher program. 

Recipients of the scholarship must agree to complete the program and seek employment in the targeted clinical area of practice in the Victorian public health sector following completion of the program. 

Internal applicants undertaking the refresher program to upskill are eligible to apply for a scholarship as they will not be earning a salary whilst undertaking the refresher program. Internal applicants undertaking the refresher program to upskill are eligible to apply for a scholarship as they will not be earning a salary whilst undertaking the refresher program. Internal applicants can contact Education and Learning via email svhm.rnrefresherprogram@svha.org.au for further information. 

Recipients are responsible for completing the program by the end date and for any costs incurred beyond the value of the scholarship. 

Where a recipient of the scholarship takes unplanned leave whilst undertaking the refresher program, they must ensure that they have completed the required 220 hours by the end of the program to successfully complete the course. Participants may be asked to undertake make up hours where the participant is below the 220 required hours to complete the course. 

Failure to complete the required 220 hours total for the program will result in the entire scholarship funds being recalled from the recipient. 

If the scholarship recipient withdraws from the program, they must notify the employer within one week of the change in arrangements. The scholarship funds will be recalled by St. Vincent’s. 

How to Apply

Required Documents for Application 

Cover Letter 
  • Highlight your interest and benefits of the RN Refresher program for your career progression. Explain how your clinical practice aligns with SVHM's mission and values.  
  • Ensure you clearly identify your preferred clinical area preference, with up to four (e) maximum preferences. For example, 1) Neurosurgery, 2) Orthopaedics, 3) Plastics, Vascular & ENT, 4) Cardiology 
    * Previous experience in preferred area is desirable
Curriculum Vitae 
  • Provide a comprehensive CV detailing your educational background, work experience, certifications, and any relevant achievements. Include details of prior acute nursing experience during your nursing career. 
Professional References 
  • Please provide the contact details of two professional referees who can attest to your clinical qualifications and work ethic. 
  • Internal candidates must include at least one direct line manager. 
  • External candidates are required to provide details for two direct line managers from their most recent employment. 

Prior to Commencing

Below is some important information to help you prepare before commencing your program.  

Parking & Transport
Campus Maps
Uniform
  • In regard to purchasing uniforms, please follow the instructions listed here.  
Employee Responsibilities 
  • Employees must at all times adhere to St. Vincent’s Hospital Policy and Procedure Guidelines in regard to patient care. 
Identification
  • Employees must wear name badge and Identity Card at all times whilst on hospital grounds. A name badge will be provided to you at orientation. 
Professionalism
  • The reputation and image of SVHM is upheld by the perceptions that patients and visitors form of staff. For this reason, employees are expected to be courteous and considerate to patients, visitors and staff members.
Confidentiality
  • Patient information is to be regarded as confidential at all times. 
Personal Belongings
  • Employees are advised to keep personal items and valuables to a minimum, as SVHM accepts no responsibility for these. You will be provided with a locker, however most areas may require you to bring your own lock. 
Social Media
  • Employees should not mention SVHM or detail anything about their employment, or communicate with patients or their families using social media. For further information about your responsibilities with social media you can review the social media policy from AHPRA by following this link.
  • For further information please visit Melbourne Public Policies, Procedures & Guidelines.
Fit Testing
  • It is a requirement that all clinical staff are fit tested for an N95 mask. If you hold a valid Respiratory Mask Fit Test completed within 12-months of your start date, kindly submit these to FitTestingSVHM@svha.org.au for recognition.
  • If you do not hold a valid Fit Test (within the last 12-months), please contact FitTestingSVHM@svha.org.au or call (03) 9231 1466, to make an appointment with Respiratory Mask Fit Testing.
  • It is a mandatory requirement for this to be valid.
Mandatory Training

You must complete a number of our hospital competencies. Please note, ‘NPS Inpatient Medication Chart’, ‘NPS Medication Safety’ and ‘BloodSafe’ are external websites and therefore you will need to create a new account and select St Vincent’s Hospital Fitzroy (it is important to enter the hospital for reporting purposes).  

Via Workday once you receive your login details