Registered Nurse - Surgical Ward
Your nursing matters here — every patient, every moment
Registered Nurse – Armidale Rural Referral Hospital Surgical Ward
Remuneration: $37.48 - $52.62 per hour + Super + Salary Packaging
Location: Armidale Rural Referral Hospital
Employment Type: Temporary Full-Time/Part-Time (12-month contract)
Position Classification: Registered Nurse
Hours Per Week: 38
Requisition ID: REQ626008
Applications Close: Sunday 21st December 2025
Where You’ll Be Working
Set high on the picturesque Northern Tablelands, Armidale is a regional gem—halfway between Sydney and Brisbane and surrounded by breathtaking World Heritage-listed national parks. With tree-lined streets, rich arts culture, stunning seasonal changes and a relaxed pace of life, it offers the perfect blend of lifestyle and opportunity. Armidale Rural Referral Hospital is a 99-bed acute facility delivering high-quality care across Imaging, General Surgery, Orthopaedics, Emergency, Paediatrics, Maternity, Mental Health, Allied Health and General Medicine.
You’ll be joining our bustling Surgical Ward—a dynamic, fast-paced unit where no two days look the same. Our team is large, multicultural, friendly and proudly collaborative. We value respect, clear communication and commitment to exceptional patient care. This is a place where you’re supported, included, and encouraged to bring your best.
What You’ll Be Doing
As a Registered Nurse in our Surgical Ward, you’ll be the steady, supportive presence patients and families rely on. Your role is all about warm, person-centred care and bringing clarity, consistency and compassion to every shift.
You’ll help patients make informed decisions about their treatment, ensure care plans are safe and culturally respectful, and keep everyone—patients, families and the multidisciplinary team—on the same page. Even on the busiest days you’ll be the calm in the chaos, balancing competing priorities while delivering thoughtful, evidence-based care.
Daily tasks include:
Administering medications safely and accurately
Delivering high-quality, evidence-based surgical nursing care
Assisting with or providing personal care
Coordinating with patients, families and the MDT for effective care planning and safe discharges
About You
You’re a Registered Nurse with strong clinical instincts, a steady presence under pressure, and a genuine passion for patient care. You thrive in fast-paced environments, value teamwork, and bring a proactive, compassionate approach to every shift.
You’ll be a great fit if you bring:
Strong clinical knowledge and sound decision-making
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
The ability to collaborate effectively in a busy surgical team
Resilience, adaptability and confidence in a fast-moving environment
A commitment to ongoing learning and professional development
A patient-centred, respectful and empathetic approach
Surgical experience is desirable but not essential—some skills can be learned on the job. What’s non-negotiable is your commitment to safe, high-quality patient care.
How You’ll Be Supported
You’ll be supported by approachable, caring leaders including a Clinical Nurse Educator and Nurse Manager who are committed to your development. You’ll receive:
A thorough virtual and face-to-face orientation
Access to ongoing professional development, training and study days
Regular opportunities for feedback, growth and honest communication
A team that celebrates achievements, milestones, morning teas and the occasional fun theme day
This is an environment where you’re encouraged to keep expanding your skills while knowing you’re backed every step of the way.
What We Can Offer You
At Hunter New England Health, you’ll enjoy meaningful work alongside outstanding lifestyle benefits:
Monthly Allocated Days Off (for eligible full-time roles)
6 weeks annual leave (for eligible full-time nurses)
Paid parental leave (for eligible employees)
Salary packaging up to $11,600 + novated leasing
Fitness Passport for discounted gym and pool access
Employee Assistance Program for staff and families
Opportunities to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams
Additional Information:
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 arrangements will be considered.
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
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
To be eligible for 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.
We are unable to accommodate visa sponsorship for applicants requiring a visa for this position.
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.
Salary Packaging: is beneficial to most Hunter New England Health employees and may increase your take-home pay! Salary package a range of personal expenses including novated motor vehicle leases, relocation expenses, and HECS/HELP debt. Find out more by contacting SalaryPackagingPLUS! via nswhealth@salarypackagingplus.com.au or 1300 40 25 23.
Hunter New England Health employees may be eligible for a range of benefits such as allocated days off (ADO) for full time employees, long service leave, paid maternity leave, and salary packaging options including meal expenses.
Connect with us on Facebook and LinkedIn!
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.
.
