Media releases

Federation University Australia and St John of God Hospital are working together to educate the next generation of local nurses to help address the skills needs of the south east Victoria region.

Through a Fellowship program, students are embedded within St John of God Health Care’s three South East Melbourne hospitals. Here, they will complete their clinical placement throughout their degree while maintaining ties to their local community.

The program aims to generate a pipeline of skilled healthcare workers who are both work and world ready through direct connection to employers.

There are currently six second-year and six third-year students in the Fellowship.

Second-year Bachelor of Nursing student Jag Korneluk is undertaking the fellowship and said the hospitals offer a supportive, flexible environment.

“It’s just fantastic. it takes the pressure off knowing where your placement is going to be and you remain familiar with the hospital and build relationships with the facilitators and they get to know you.

“They are happy to explain anything to you, running education sessions towards the end of the week to reinforce the knowledge you’ve built at university.”

The partnership builds on a similar collaboration with St John of God Health Care’s Ballarat hospital and comes as Federation rolls out its co-operative education model which will see all courses designed, developed and delivered in collaboration with industry from the end of 2025.

Enrolments for Federation University’s Bachelor of Nursing are now open. For more information, visit  https://study.federation.edu.au/course/DHN5

Quote attributable to Federation University Professor of Nursing and Practice Development, Georgina Willetts

“We know that students who train locally are more likely to work locally, and the Fellowship program strengthens this by embedding students into the hospital where they can forge important ties to the sector.”

“This partnership will establish a pipeline of much-needed quality nurses into the workforce while providing great opportunities for our students.”

Quote attributable to St John of God Health Care (Berwick Hospital), Director of Nursing, Allison Merrigan:

“We greatly value our relationship with Federation University and feel fortunate to have this opportunity to work in partnership to support our future nursing workforce.

“By completing their clinical placements at St John of God Health Care’s South East Melbourne hospitals, these students are gaining invaluable clinical experience that reinforces their formal studies. They also become a part of our hospital community and gain support and encouragement from team members who are committed to their ongoing education.”