Clinical placement

Clinical placements are designed to meet university course requirements and support the integration of theoretical learning into clinical practice. Pre-registration nursing and midwifery students undertake placements in a supernumerary capacity, where learning is prioritised and supported through supervision, guidance, and feedback from experienced clinicians, preceptors, and educators.

The Women’s provides a safe, inclusive, and culturally responsive learning environment, reflecting the diverse community it serves. Through structured support and professional role modelling, pre-registration students are encouraged to build clinical competence, professional confidence, and a strong foundation in person centred, evidence based care.

Arranging a clinical placement

The Royal Women’s Hospital works in partnership with a range of approved university education providers to coordinate and allocate pre-registration nursing and midwifery clinical placements. Placement arrangements are managed directly with universities to ensure alignment with course requirements, learning objectives, accreditation standards, and organisational capacity.

The Women’s does not arrange placements directly with individual students. All placements are confirmed through established university–hospital agreements to ensure appropriate governance, supervision, and support throughout the placement experience.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students may also be eligible for a Priority Placement pathway, which supports culturally safe placement at The Women’s. This pathway may be accessed even where a student’s university is not a current placement partner, subject to eligibility and capacity. 

Learn more about Priority Placements for First Nations students

What to Expect

Pre-registration nursing and midwifery placements at The Royal Women’s Hospital aim to provide a positive, supportive learning environment within a specialist tertiary women’s and newborn health service. Clinical placements offer students the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge in practice across a range of maternity, neonatal, gynaecological, women’s health, and specialty clinical settings.

All pre-registration students undertake placements in a supernumerary capacity, where learning is prioritised. Students are supported to progressively develop clinical skills, professional practice, and confidence within their scope of practice.

Throughout the placement, students are supported by Clinical Support Nurses and Midwives (CSNs/CSMs), and ward based preceptors. These clinicians provide supervision, guidance, and feedback, and assist students to identify learning opportunities aligned with university requirements and individual learning goals.

The Women’s is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and respectful learning environment that promotes professional development and high-quality, person centred care.

Pre-Placement Requirements

All pre-registration nursing and midwifery students are required to complete mandatory prereading, prelearning, and documentation prior to commencing their clinical placement at The Royal Women’s Hospital.

Students must ensure all requirements are completed and all required documentation is submitted to Clinical Education (Clinical.Education@thewomens.org.au) prior to the commencement of placement.

Students are encouraged to contact their specific Clinical Support Team if they have any placement related enquiries. [Link to CSM and CSN emails address]

Pre Reading

• The Women’s Student Orientation and Placement Information
• Student Midwife Continuity of Care (CoCE) Guidelines (midwifery students only)
• Hospital guidelines related to the area you are allocated – sent with orientation email/roster

Pre Learning

• Completion of the National Hand Hygiene Initiative (NHHI) online learning and assessment (Certificate valid for 12 months)

Documentation to be Emailed to Clinical Education

• Completed Student Data Form – Including Privacy and Confidentiality Agreement
• Copy of current NHHI Certificate
• Copy of N95 fit test

Completion of all preplacement requirements is mandatory to ensure students are appropriately prepared and compliant with organisational, safety, and governance requirements prior to attending clinical areas.

What to Bring on Your First Day

• Completed Student Card / Security Access Agreement
• Preprepared placement learning objectives 
• Midwifery professional experience portfolio
• University approved uniform, worn on arrival
• University student ID card
• Name badge
• Pen and any other equipment required by your university or placement

Students should ensure they are appropriately prepared and professionally presented on their first day to support a smooth and successful commencement of placement.

Location and Student Parking

Most clinical placements will take place on site at Parkville, except for Maternity Satellite clinics (in Fawkner, Strathmore, Footscray and Brunswick)

The Royal Women’s Hospital – Parkville Campus
The Royal Women’s Hospital is located in Parkville, within the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct, 22 Flemington Road, Parkville, 3052.

Public Transport

Students are encouraged to use public transport where possible. The hospital is accessible via:

• Trams
• Trains
• Buses

Up to date public transport information can be accessed through Public Transport Victoria (PTV).

Student Parking

Due to parking shortages, students are unable to park onsite at the Women’s.

Availability of parking is not guaranteed, and students should allow sufficient travel time, particularly for early or peak hour shifts.

Student Rosters and Allocations

Pre-registration nursing and midwifery students are rostered full-time (40 hours per week), working a 24/7 rotating schedule across morning, afternoon, and night shifts, based on service needs and available learning opportunities.

Placement details and rostered shifts are coordinated in partnership with universities and are communicated to education providers prior to the commencement of placement. Students are expected* to attend 100 per cent of their allocated clinical placement hours, as rostered.

*Absence from placement is only permitted for carers leave, medical leave, bereavement leave or to attend CoCE appointment/ birth. Shift swaps will only be accommodated for COCE attendance Note: we are unable to accommodate any shift change or swap for any other reason. 

Makeup Shifts

If a student is unable to attend a rostered shift, makeup hours are managed between the student’s education provider and The Royal Women’s Hospital clinical placement team. Where possible and subject to service capacity, every effort will be made to facilitate makeup shifts to support completion of required placement hours.

If You Are Late for a Shift

If you are running late for a rostered shift, you must:

• Notify the allocated clinical area/ward by phone as soon as possible
• Notify the Clinical Support Nurse/Midwife (CSN/CSM) team by email

Prompt communication is essential to support patient safety and appropriate clinical supervision.

If You Are Absent from a Shift

If you are unable to attend a rostered shift, you must:

• Notify the allocated clinical area/ward by phone
• Notify the Clinical Support Nurse/Midwife (CSN/CSM) team by email and CC your university’s Clinical Placement Officer

Supporting documentation related to absences (e.g. medical certificate or statutory declaration) are required, in accordance with university requirements to arrange make up shifts.

Student Expectations

Pre-registration nursing and midwifery students attending The Royal Women’s Hospital are expected to have met all preplacement requirements and to adhere to the hospital’s standards of professional conduct, behaviour, and clinical practice throughout their placement.

Students Are Expected To:

• Hold a current National Police Check and Working with Children Check, sighted by an authorised representative of their education provider
• Be up to date with immunisations
• Conduct themselves in a professional, respectful, and courteous manner at all times
• Respect the workplace, patients, families, staff, and the hospital environment
• Clearly identify themselves as a student to staff, patients, and visitors
• Be familiar with and comply with The Royal Women’s Hospital policies, procedures, and guidelines
• Understand and comply with university, hospital, and professional social media policies
• Refrain from using or carrying mobile phones while providing direct clinical care
• Keep personal belongings and valuables to a minimum; the hospital does not accept responsibility for lost items
• Immediately report concerns, incidents, or changes in a patient’s condition to the supervising nurse or midwife
• Practice within scope of practice, under appropriate supervision
• Seek assistance when unsure, not confident, or unfamiliar with a procedure or clinical situation
• Not accept gifts, benefits, or incentives that could be perceived as influencing professional judgement
• Present for placement fit for duty, free from the effects of alcohol or other drugs that may impair safe practice
• Adhere to smoke free policies across all hospital sites

Student Responsibilities

Students are responsible for:

• Bringing university appraisal and assessment documentation to placement each day, as required
• Undertaking self assessment to identify learning needs and areas for development
• Preparing adequately for each shift through reading, study, and use of clinical resources
• Setting clear learning objectives aligned with placement requirements (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timebound) and discussing these with their preceptor and Clinical Support Nurse/Midwife
• Actively seeking appropriate learning opportunities
• Working towards and achieving required competency units within specified timeframes
• Interacting professionally with patients, families, preceptors, Nurse/Midwife Unit Managers, Clinical Support Nurses/Midwives, educators, medical staff, allied health professionals, and support services
• Seeking feedback and responding to it constructively and professionally

Clinical Uniform

It is mandatory for all pre-registration nursing and midwifery students to wear the correct university approved uniform while on clinical placement at The Royal Women’s Hospital. A university name badge must always be clearly visible.

Students are required to present themselves in a neat, professional, and safe manner and must comply with The Royal Women’s Hospital uniform and appearance expectations, including the following:

• Uniform must be clean and well-presented
• Long sleeves are not permitted under or over the uniform in clinical areas
• University name badge must be worn and visible
• Long hair must be securely tied back
• Nails must be short, clean, and free from nail polish or artificial enhancements
• Jewellery is not permitted, except for small stud earrings

These requirements support infection prevention, patient safety, and professional standards of practice.

Scope of Practice

Students are responsible for ensuring that all clinical activities are undertaken within their scope of practice at all times and under appropriate supervision.

A student’s scope of practice is influenced by:

• Their level of progression within the pre-registration nursing or midwifery program
• The clinical context and learning environment
• The acuity and complexity of the patient or client being cared for

As students progress through their degree, their scope of practice will evolve. Universities provide clear guidance regarding the activities and responsibilities that fall within a student’s current scope of practice.

Students must:

• Seek supervision and guidance when required
• Decline tasks that fall outside their scope or level of competence
• Escalate concerns to their preceptor, supervising clinician, or Clinical Support Nurse/Midwife

This approach ensures safe, supported learning and high-quality patient care.

Working With a Buddy Nurse/Midwife

When working with a Buddy Nurse/Midwife, students are expected to:

• Introduce themselves at the commencement of the shift
• Discuss learning objectives and a plan for the shift with their preceptor
• Actively seek appropriate learning opportunities
• Interact with Buddy and colleagues in a professional and respectful manner
• Undertake clinical activities under appropriate supervision (direct or indirect, as required)
• Seek feedback, reflect on practice, and respond professionally and constructively

Buddying is a key component of clinical learning and supports the development of safe, competent, and confident practice.

Debriefing Sessions

Student debriefing sessions are scheduled at various times throughout the placement. Scheduled debrief sessions will be advised by the Clinical Support Nurse/Midwife (CSN/CSM) team during orientation.

If a student requires debriefing following a particular incident or challenging experience, they are encouraged to contact the Clinical Support Nurse/Midwife at any time to seek support.

Education Sessions

Students are encouraged to attend education sessions whenever possible to support learning and professional development.

Each clinical area will display an education calendar or provide information about upcoming sessions. These may include:

• Unit specific education sessions
• Nursing and midwifery forums
• Workshops
• Guest speaker presentations

Attendance at education sessions should be balanced with clinical responsibilities and discussed with the supervising clinician as needed.

Patient Interaction

As representatives of The Royal Women’s Hospital, students are expected to demonstrate professionalism, respect, and integrity in all interactions with patients, families, and carers.

Students must:

• Introduce themselves to patients and identify their role as a student nurse or student midwife
• Clearly explain their level of involvement in care, under supervision
• Ensure patients understand that they have the right to decline student participation in any aspect of their care
• Respect patient preferences, dignity, privacy, and informed consent at all times

This approach supports person-centred care and fosters trust between patients, families, and the healthcare team.