Nurse Re-entry Program

To be eligible to participate, your practice must be accredited and have an existing registered nurse (RN) that has a minimum of 12 months experience in general practice who can supervise the re-entry nurse for the level and duration required by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA). 

On the completion of this program, your practice will have a fully registered nurse, ready to join your team. However, there is no requirement to employ the re-entry nurse permanently.

Eligible practices may receive a grant to support this placement.

Expressions of interest (EOI) are now open for the Nurse Re-entry Program.

This program is available to nurses who meet certain eligibility criteria.  

For enrolled nurses (ENs) and registered nurses (RN)s, you must have: 

• completed training as an EN or RN, are not currently registered and have not practised in the last 5 – 10 years or;
• interest in returning to practise but do not meet the requirements of the NMBA Registration standard: recency of practice. 

For nurse practitioners (NPs), you must: 

• have completed training as a NP, are not currently registered and have not practised in the last 5 – 10 years or;
• be currently practising in another specialty and interest in transitioning to general practice.

Your registration status is important for eligibility – as everyone’s circumstance is different, once you apply we will support you to determine your status and the requirements for your placement (based on the NMBA Re-entry to Practice for Nurses and Midwives Policy). 

For example, you may have been a practicing nurse but took five years away from practicing to raise a family, or perhaps you never held registration but are now ready to enter the nursing workforce. 

You are not eligible for this program if you are: 

• a recent graduate from an NMBA-approved entry to practice nursing or midwifery program in Australia applying for registration for the first time or;
  
• you hold student registration.  

Benefits for nurses participating in this program include:

• supported clear pathway back into the workforce through a supervised, paid placement in general practice
• regaining your registration through training and mentorship to refresh your skills, meet NMBA recency of practice standards and rebuild clinical confidence
• improved work-life balance through general practice roles that typically avoid shift work, supporting more stable hours and lifestyle flexibility
• experience making a local community impact in a different way while renewing your connection with, and passion for, nursing.

Expressions of interest (EOI) are now open for the Nurse Re-entry Program.