RUSON- Nursing Workforce Unit

The Hospital:

The Royal Children’s Hospital’s (RCH) Vision is “A world where all kids thrive”.

RCH is a cornerstone member of the Melbourne Children’s Campus, partnering with Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, The University of Melbourne Department of Paediatrics and The Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation.

RCH has cared for the children and young people of Victoria for more than 150 years since it was founded in 1870. A full range of paediatrics and adolescent health services are provided plus tertiary and quaternary care for the most critically ill and medically complex patients in Victoria, Tasmania, southern NSW and other states around Australia and overseas. The Hospital has more than 6,000 staff, a budget of $850M, 12 wards and 350 beds. Annually, the RCH has 300,000+ Specialist Clinic appointments, 90,000+ Emergency Department presentations and 20,000 elective surgeries.

The RCH is committed to the Child Safe Standards. 

RCH enjoys high employee engagement and is committed to staff safety and a positive culture through enactment of our Compact.

For further Information on RCH is available here.

About the Role

We currently have Fixed Term Part Time employment opportunities available for Registered Undergraduate Students of Nursing (RUSON), 3rd Year until  31/12/2026  and 2nd Year until 27th June, 2027 to join the team in our Nursing Workforce Unit.

This is a great opportunity to work with the Nursing Workforce Unit within the Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH). Join a challenging and fast paced environment that attracts the attention of motivated RUSON's who are active participants in driving their own learning. In joining the Nursing Workforce Unit, RUSON's will be provided with the skills and knowledge needed to work within inpatient wards, with a direct focus of supporting Registered Nurses in the delivery of clinical excellence.

The RUSON always works under the direction supervision of a Registered Nurse and under clearly defined role requirements. Applicants will be required to commit to a minimum of 0.2 EFT (16 hours per fortnight) on a rotating roster across 7 days a week including evening shifts. 

Your skills and experience

• Current registration as a Registered Undergraduate Student Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) administered though the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (APHRA)
• Enrolled in the second or third year of a Bachelor of Nursing or a Bachelor of Nursing/ Bachelor of Midwifery or other double degrees with Bachelor of Nursing component
• Be able to provide a transcript of evidence of successful completion of first-year undergraduate Bachelor of Nursing qualification from a recognised University
• Have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including relationship building, teamwork, and conflict resolution
• Demonstrated commitment to ongoing personal and professional development, as evidenced in a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) record/Professional practice Portfolio

If this sounds like you, click here to view the position description.

What we offer

• Salary packaging through our partnership with SmartSalary – Increase your take home pay by up to $11,500 per annum!
• Looking for a new set of wheels to get you to the office? We offer Novated Leases through our partnership with SmartSalary
• Workplace culture of continuous improvement, support and training
• Discounted Private Health Insurance
• Support for working mothers including two on-site Early Learning Centres, flexible working arrangements and breast feeding & pumping facilities 
• Help when you need it most! Staff Counselling, financial coaching, legal support, nutritional support and specialist helpline services, and more through our EAP partner, Converge
• Unlimited access to select fitness facilities in your local area via Fitness Passport
• Retail discounts & more!

About the Department 

The Nursing Workforce Unit (NWU) Unit is responsible for the coordination of staffing replacements and allocations for nursing and administrative vacancies across RCH and operates between 0530 – 2200, 7 days a week. NWU works closely with the Access & Hospital Management team to ensure all wards and departments are appropriately staffed to meet their operational requirements and support the delivery of high-quality patient care.  

Other requirements

• Current National Criminal Record Check, or willing to obtain
• Valid Working with Children Check
• Current NDIS Worker Screening Check, or willing to obtain (if applicable)
• Compliance with RCHs “Staff Immunisation - Prevention of Vaccine Preventable Diseases” procedure

Application process

To apply, you will need a resume and a tailored cover letter outlining your skills, experience, and suitability for the position in line with the requirements of the position description.

Shortlisting for this position will commence immediately, we encourage you to apply promptly!

For more information about this position please contact Catherine Matthews, Nurse Unit Manager Ph: 9345 6117 Email nwu.recruitment@rch.org.au

Why work at the RCH?

RCH enjoys high employee engagement and is committed to staff safety and a positive culture through enactment of our Compact. We offer the opportunity to work in world-class facilities, surrounded by Royal Park and only a short tram trip from the heart of Melbourne city.

We also offer staff benefits such as discounted staff parking, salary packaging, and an award-winning health and wellbeing program.

The RCH is committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from culturally and/or linguistically diverse background, all members of the LGBTQI community and people with disability.

It is a requirement of your employment that you be vaccinated against Influenza annually for Category A and B roles, in compliance with any public health orders in place at the relevant time, unless you have a medical exception in line with those public health orders, which has been accepted by The Royal Children’s Hospital.  Applicants will be required to provide their Australian Government Immunisation History Statement, it is a requirement of the RCH to collect, record and hold vaccination information.

It is also a requirement of your employment that you comply with any direction given by The Royal Children’s Hospital that you be vaccinated against, or prove immunity to, any other disease, unless you have a relevant exemption, and offers of employment are conditional on successful completion of background checks including reference checks. 

Are you ready to join our team?

Apply online by clicking on the “Apply” button

Applications close 16 August 2026