Celebrating Our 2025 Graduate Nurses
February 17, 2026
St Andrew’s Hospital proudly celebrated the graduation of our 2025 Graduate Registered Nurses, marking the completion of their Transition to Professional Practice Program (TPPP) and the beginning of the next chapter in their nursing careers.
The graduation ceremony brought together graduates, families, mentors and hospital leaders to recognise a year defined by growth, resilience and achievement. Certificates were presented by Director of Clinical Services and Operations, Jacquie Wiley, in recognition of each graduate’s commitment to patient care and professional development.
Founded by a nurse, care and excellence in nursing have always been at the heart of St Andrew’s. That legacy lives on in each new generation of nurses - supported, encouraged, and guided as they find their place within the profession.
Over the past 12 months, our graduates have transitioned from students to confident clinicians within a supportive and dynamic hospital environment. The program, delivered in collaboration with our Learning and Development team and clinical areas across the hospital, provides a rich and diverse experience that equips nurses with the skills, knowledge and confidence to practise independently.
Speaking on behalf of the cohort, one graduate reflected on the journey:
A little over twelve months ago, we walked into our first shift as Graduate Nurses - armed with three years’ worth of theory, varying levels of panic, and about 73 pens in our scrub pockets. We learned to think under pressure, to prioritise, to advocate, and to ask for help. Somewhere along the way, we stopped feeling like ‘just grads’… and started thinking and acting like nurses.
The speech captured the essence of the graduate experience - the challenges, the self-doubt, the breakthroughs, and ultimately, the transformation that occurs over the year.
Our Graduate Nurse Program is a cornerstone of St Andrew’s workforce strategy, designed not only to support newly registered nurses but to nurture future leaders in healthcare. Graduates benefit from structured education, dedicated clinical support, ward rotations, and a strong culture of mentorship and teamwork.
Importantly, the program also fosters lasting connections. As reflected in feedback from participants, many describe the experience as “supportive,” “welcoming,” and “like family,” highlighting the strong sense of community that defines St Andrew’s.
For patients, the impact of this program is equally meaningful. Graduates consistently deliver compassionate, person-centred care - often recognised in patient feedback praising their professionalism, kindness and willingness to go above and beyond.
As this cohort steps forward into ongoing roles within the hospital, they do so with confidence, capability, and a deep commitment to delivering exceptional care.
We congratulate our 2025 graduates on this significant milestone and thank everyone who has supported them along the way.