Nursing Re-Connect
Requirements | Results | Mental Health Connect | Midwifery Connect | How do I apply?About Nursing Re-Connect
Nursing Re-Connect is a method of assisting and supporting nurses and midwives to re-join the workforce into permanent full time or part time vacant positions. It is not a course or a program to regain registration.
Re-Connect is open for currently registered nurses, midwives and enrolled nurses who are not working in any nursing position or have not been working for more than one year. If you are interested in re-joining the workforce in the NSW public health system, Nursing Re-Connect may be for you.
How Re-Connect Works
Re-Connect places you in contact with a Local Health District (LHD) so that they may consider you for employment in a NSW public hospital if there is a suitable full time or part time vacant position. Employment is subject to a suitable vacancy being available and applicants meeting all of the required employment criteria including immunisation, criminal record clearance and current nurses/midwives registration. The NSW Ministry of Health provides three weeks salary to the employing hospital plus an additional $600 for clinical support for the nurse or midwife. Hospitals are expected to provide additional orientation and support for the nurse or midwife, if necessary, in their initial period of employment.
Salary information as of July 2011.
Requirements
Results
Reconnect was launched in January 2002. This has been a successful initiative with over 1900 nurses and midwives employed through this initiative. Of these, over 80% have remained employed in the public health system.
The table below provides summary information on the initiative.
| Dates | Total Number Employed | Number Employed in Metropolitan Areas | Number Employed in Rural Areas | Retention Rate |
| Jan 2002 – Dec 2004 | 1,234 | 869 | 365 | 73% |
| Jan 2005 – Dec 2007 | 458 | 262 | 196 | 89% |
| Jan 2008 – Dec 2008 | 131 | 55 | 76 | 87% |
| Jan 2009 – Dec 2009 | 122 | 69 | 53 | N/A |
| Jan 2010 – Dec 2010 | 46 | 21 | 25 | N/A |
| Total | 1,991 | 1,276 | 715 | 83% (average) |
Mental Health Connect
Mental Health Connect aims to bring nurses into mental health.
The Mental Health Connect complements Nursing Re-Connect and continues to attract nurses who are seeking to start or re-establish a career in mental health.
Nurses eligible to register for Mental Health Connect include nurses who have been out of the nursing workforce (with or without previous mental health experience) and nurses who have been working in other specialties.
Midwifery Connect
Midwifery Connect is not a refresher course. It is a way to employ registered midwives in the NSW Public Sector Midwifery workforce who have not been working in midwifery for more than 12 months.
To be eligible for Midwifery Connect you must be:
- A registered midwife in NSW currently out of the workforce or
- A registered midwife in NSW currently working as a nurse and wishing to return to midwifery.
How do I apply?
Please call the Re-Connect toll free number on 1800 330 933. Your details will be recorded and forwarded to your nominated Local Health District for follow-up. You will be contacted by a representative of the LHD which may take up to four to five weeks.