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About the Women’s and Children’s Health Network

We are the leading provider of care for children with acute and chronic conditions in South Australia, and the State's largest maternity and obstetric service. The network also spans over 150 community-based cites with 7 statewide health services.

The Women’s and Children’s Hospital cares for women and children, across the areas of paediatric medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, neonatology, mental health and disability, rehabilitation, and allied health, seeing more than 230,600 outpatients and 33,400 inpatients annually.

Each year more than 46,600 children present at our Paediatric Emergency Department, and 4,800 babies are born at the hospital. More than 76,000 consumers are supported through Child and Family Health Service (CaFHS) with community family consultations. Over 99,000 consumers engage with Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) as part of our network.

We are highly regarded as a centre for research. As one of the State's major teaching hospitals, we work with South Australian Universities and Registered Training Organisations in the training of hundreds of health professionals each year.

WCHN is committed to ensuring we develop an Aboriginal workforce across the state that achieves representation of at least 4% of Aboriginal employees. It is essential that the profile of our workforce reflects the background of our consumers. A highly skilled, well supported and culturally competent workforce will support us to develop and grow our Aboriginal workforce and emerging leaders.

The Hospital forms part of the Women's and Children's Health Network, Ngangitya, ngartu-itya kangkawardli, the largest paediatric and maternity health service in South Australia, which also reaches into parts of the Northern Territory, Western Victoria, and New South Wales.

Find out more about the Women’s and Children’s Health Network.

Program information

Rotations

Registered Nurse TPPP’s will be allocated two, 6 month placements as part of their 12-month program.

Supernumerary days and orientation

During your TPPP you will be supported with a robust orientation and supernumerary shift pathway with a nominated preceptor at the commencement of each rotation.

Professional development days

TPPP nursing graduates will complete the Introduction to Paediatrics Course during their 12-month program. This course is divided into 4 professional development module study days. The Modules encompass the 70:20:10 learning model and incorporate a blended module of e-learning and face to face curriculum. The Introduction to Paediatric Course fosters engagement through reflective practice, interactive skills, simulation, and theoretical evidence-based education to support professional development opportunities.

Full time/part time opportunities and WCHN career progression

The WCHN TPPP offers Registered Nurses a 24-month temporary contract of 0.84 fulltime equivalent (FTE) – equivalent to 4 days per week on a 7-day rotating roster (some units are Monday – Friday, 5-day roster). The initial 12 months of this contract will be supported undertaking your TPPP, with the additional 12-months supporting WCHN Early Career Pathway opportunities. 0.84FTE is strongly encouraged to support consolidation of knowledge and skills as you transition to practice. Negotiations may be considered in consultation with Midwifery Unit Managers about FTE that supports your individual graduate learning journey.

Clinical mentoring support and supervision

The WCHN offer a robust TPPP program that is underpinned through the Preceptorship Framework. We are a tertiary teaching hospital that is committed to the ongoing development of our nursing and midwifery workforce to ensure we meet our commitment of our Realising Potential Strategy to develop a capable and confident workforce. The WCHN offer a number of ongoing learning and development opportunities to preceptors and mentors in areas of leadership, clinical coaching, and mentorship to ensure our nurses and midwives are equipped to support graduates and early career staff.

Wellbeing

The WCH Network are committed to building and sustaining a mentally healthy workplace and supporting staff wellbeing. Through contemporary rostering and allocation efficiencies, we aim to ensure all those we serve continue to receive high level care in our services. As part of wellbeing the network supports staff to engage in recreational leave to rest and rejuvenate. WCHN TPPP RN Graduates will be provided 6 weeks of annual leave when working across a 7-day roster. Annual leave is pre-allocated or negotiated with your line manager once you commence your TPPP.

Key benefits

Nursing transition support pathways at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital will:

Facilitate a learning environment which empowers newly qualified Registered Nurses to transition to:

  • their professional role and responsibilities
  • the WCHN organisation
  • the workplace/unit.

During your TPPP Program you will be supported to:

  • understand and function confidently and competently within the role as a Registered Nurse
  • develop and consolidate a wide range of clinical nursing skills
  • work in partnership with infants, children, adolescents and their families to plan care, in conjunction with other health professionals
  • critically analyse and reflect on your developing practice
  • actively engage in continuing development opportunities
  • develop a network of collegial support.

To achieve this, the WCHN Transition Support Pathways recognise:

  • stages of Transition/ Transition Shock© Model by Dr. Judy Duscher
  • learning activities which incorporate critical thinking, best evidence-based practice, reflection, and simulation
  • individual learning styles, personality types, and character strengths.

THE WCHN Transition Support Program will provide:

  • comprehensive onboarding and orientation to the WCHN organisation
  • clinical ward support from dedicated educators that promotes bedside teaching
  • regular clinical feedback and performance conversations
  • fortnightly reflection and debrief opportunities with transition educators and TPPP peers
  • regular transition support correspondence, TPPP & Early Career resource SharePoint, Transition Newsletters
  • simulated learning activities
  • 1:1 transition support coaching
  • self-care program
  • career pathway planning
  • workshops.

During your TPPP you will be supported by:

  • TPPP Coordinators/Transition Support Educators
  • Nurse/Midwifery Mangers and Nursing/Midwifery Unit Managers
  • Ward/Divisional Clinical Nurse/Midwife Educators
  • Clinical Coach Mentor’s
  • Preceptors/Peer Support Buddies
  • ward colleagues.

Site locations and specialty rotations

The Women’s and Children’s Health Network offers RN TPPP placement opportunities in the acute paediatric and/or neonatal setting and/or community.

As part of your application, you will be asked to preference 3 areas which you wish to work throughout your TPPP.

2 x 6 month rotations

Paediatric acute placements

Paediatric medicine    

  • Adolescent Ward         
  • Medical Short Stay Ward
  • Cassia Ward    
  • Michael Rice Centre     
  • Rose Ward      
  • Paediatric Intensive Care Unit   
  • Paediatric Emergency Department        
  • Medical Day Unit

Surgical Services

  • Newland Ward  
  • Kate Hill Ward  
  • Surgical Short Stay Unit
  • Paediatric Outpatients Department                                
  • Perioperative – Rogerson Theatres/Queen Victoria Operating Suite
    • Scrub/Scout
    • Recovery

Women’s and Babies Division - Neonatal Services

  • Neonatal Intensive Care
  • Neonatal Special Care  

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

  • Mallee Ward

Paediatric Community Placements

  • Child and Family Health Services (CaFHS)

Intake dates

  • Late January 2026
  • Mid February 2026

Further information

For any further information about undertaking a TPPP at WCHN please contact the Centre for Education and Training, TPPP Coordinator/Nursing Transition Educator, by emailing Health.TPPPWCHN@sa.gov.au or calling 0481 477 831 or (08) 8161 8101.