Committed to excellence in care, teaching and research we engage in the ongoing development of healthcare professionals through training and education.
- Successful partnerships with a variety of universities and an excellent education program across the St Vincents & Mater Health Sydney including clinical programs enhance ongoing training and education.
- We have a challenging 12 month New Graduate Program, that allows new graduate nurses to feel satisfied at work as well as acknowledging the importance of their lives outside of work.
- A Graduate Diploma of Midwifery is offered to Registered Nurses.
Accelerated Progression Program
The Accelerated Progression Program at the Mater Hospital is unique to New South Wales. A professional model developed by St Vincents & Mater Health Sydney, the program rewards and recognises the contribution of nurses in the delivery of patient care. The program provides nurses with the opportunity to develop and demonstrate competencies, progress professional recognition, fast track career development and accelerate earning capacity far beyond public and private awards.
Clinical Nurse Educators
Each ward area has clinical nurse educators who support nurses in all areas of their professional development. Whether it is working alongside you to provide in-service sessions in the clinical area or assisting with details of conferences and short courses, clinical nurse educators are there to support you. An integral part of nursing at the Mater is a professional portfolio to record your educational requirements as per Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.
Clinical Nurse Specialists
The clinical nurse specialist framework at the Mater Hospital provides opportunities for professional development. With three levels of clinical nurse specialists you can maximise your potential. The clinical nurse specialist or CNS pathway is for nurses at all levels and is a competency-based framework for assessing, recognising and rewarding successively more complex and sophisticated clinical expertise.
Participants are required to compile a portfolio of evidence to support their application. Accreditation is for three, four and five years respectively for clinical nurse specialist levels one, two and three. Ongoing employment at each level of appointment is contingent on successful annual performance appraisal and each level of classification is remunerated at a higher level than the one below.
Four Year Graduate Medicine
Notre Dame Sydney offers a four year graduate medical course whereby eligible applicants must have completed an undergraduate degree. The Notre Dame students bring their experiences from fields as diverse as law, psychology, physiotherapy and the arts. The Notre Dame syllabus and clinical experiences build upon existent skills, emphasising professional development, public health and a patient centred approach as intrinsic to the medical profession.
Students have one surgical rotation at the Mater Hospital with an emphasis on orthopaedic surgery, under the leadership of Prof Michael Ryan and A/Prof Bill Walter. A/Prof Peter Vale is responsible for the medical rotation with a focus on cardiovascular patients. A/Prof Stephen Wilson is responsible for coordinating all University of Notre Dame medical student activities on the Mater campus. Many clinicians in other specialties have contributed to the student’s experience at the Mater, including the opportunity to see patients at the Mater Clinic.
Prior to entering the hospital, students have completed two years of intensive university based training. Under the guidance of the Mater’s physicians and surgeons, students spend a significant proportion of time on the wards, taking medical histories and perfecting their examination skills. Students also have the opportunity to participate in clinics and observe a variety of procedures during their time at the Mater.
