Registered Nurse - Incentives Offered

• 2-bed Emergency Department
• 15 Residential Aged Care beds
• 8 Acute beds (currently not operational, opportunity to open once the workforce is in place)
• No on-site doctors or VMOs, providing an advanced level of autonomy for nursing staff

You’ll be supported by a close-knit team including another RN and an AIN on each shift. Together, you’ll provide holistic care to aged care residents and respond to a variety of emergency presentations, including chest pain, stroke, and respiratory conditions.


What You’ll Be Doing
As a Registered Nurse at Merriwa MPS, your day could include:

• Providing person-centred care across aged care and emergency presentations
• Responding to dynamic and acute situations in a rural setting
• Working autonomously and collaboratively as part of a small multidisciplinary team

Support for You & Benefits
We’re committed to your development and success, with:

• A full ED transition program
• ECAT training for the first 12 months
• Weekly on-site educator presence
• Ongoing support from critical care educators, paediatrics, and CNCs
• Opportunities to step into in-charge roles, and develop extended skills in areas like wound care, immunisation, and telehealth
• Monthly Allocated Days Off (for full-time employees) 
• 4 weeks annual leave (pro-rata for part time employees) 
• Paid parental leave (for eligible employees) - giving you the opportunity for true work-life balance 
• Salary packaging options - up to $11,600 plus novated leasing 
• Fitness Passport for health and well-being - discounted gym options for you and your family 
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for staff and family members 
• Welcome experience - to help you settle in and feel at home 
• Be rewarded with up to $20,000 in the first 12 months PLUS up to $10,000 each year thereafter in fortnightly payments under the Rural Health Workforce Incentive Scheme.* 
• PLUS, Relocation benefits and family travel assistance 

Why You’ll Love Merriwa
Tucked between Newcastle and Dubbo, Merriwa is a quiet and welcoming country town with:

• A famous bakery on the Golden Highway
• A strong sense of community and low crime rate
• Local schools including a catholic primary and public high school
• Proximity to services in nearby towns like Aberdeen
• Accommodation for the first 3 months and ongoing assistance with housing
• Rural lifestyle without isolation, you're only 2 hours from the coast or the Central West

Who We’re Looking For

• Registered Nurses with current AHPRA registration
• Strong experience in ED, ICU, or critical care
• Confident working across emergency, sub-acute, and aged care
• Excellent communication and team collaboration skills
• Comfortable working autonomously in a small rural facility

Ready to take your nursing career somewhere meaningful? Apply now and make Merriwa your home.
Need more information? 
1) Click here for the Position Description 
2) Find out more about applying for this position
For role related queries or questions contact Nishad Gopinath on Nishad.Gopinath@health.nsw.gov.au

Information for Applicants:

* Based on a minimum 18-month commitment to the position or the agreed duration of your contract. All payments to part-time and contract employees will be made on a pro-rata basis in accordance with the terms of your contract, including any approved extensions. Please note: if your contract ends before the agreed completion date, you may be required to repay a portion of the incentive. To check your eligibility, visit the Rural Health Workforce Incentive Scheme. For further information or to discuss your circumstances, please contact HNELHD-RuralIncentives@health.nsw.gov.au 

Applicants will be assessed against the essential requirements and selection criteria contained within the position description (link below). For assistance addressing selection criteria visit: https://bit.ly/3vL5fq2 

Stepping Up Website is a resource designed to help indigenous job applicants apply for positions in NSW Health. For more information, please visit: https://bit.ly/HNEHealthSteppingUp 

This is a Category A position. Recommended applicants will be reviewed for compliance with NSW Health policy directive PD2024_015: Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination against Specified Infectious Diseases for Category A positions prior to offer. All new employees must agree to comply with the requirements outlined in the policy.  

Hunter New England Health is dedicated to fostering a child-safe environment that respects and upholds the rights of children and young people, aligned with NSW Health’s commitment to implementing the Child Safe Standards. We aim to ensure that children and young people feel safe, supported, and included in their care. All current and prospective staff are expected to prioritise the safety, welfare, and well-being of children and young people, actively working to protect them from harm and abuse.

At Hunter New England Local Health District, we are an inclusive employer dedicated to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming workplace.  Our commitment to a workforce that reflects the community we care for is essential for delivering the highest quality healthcare to our community. We encourage people with diverse lived experiences to apply. If you require any accommodations or adjustments to the recruitment process please let us know when you apply or at any stage of the process. We will work with you to meet your needs and create the best possible experience. Please contact Rebecca.Caldwell@health.nsw.gov.au for confidential support to ensure an equitable, barrier-free application process.

To be eligible for permanent employment in this position you must be an Australian Citizen, or a permanent resident of Australia, or a New Zealand citizen with a current New Zealand Passport. Employment of a temporary visa holder may only occur if no suitable local candidate is identified for the position; in this instance, you may only be offered employment in line with the conditions and expiry date of your visa.

An eligibility list will be created for future permanent full or part time and temporary full or part time vacancies.

This position is full time; however, part time/job share arrangements may also be considered.

#RuralHealthIncentive