RN, EN & TVET Student Placements

Nursing Student Placements

St Vincent’s Hospital Network in Sydney hosts over 700 nursing students each year. We accommodate placements for students who are currently studying for their Bachelor of Nursing (RN) or Diploma of Nursing (EN).

Clinical placements are allocated to all our acute, subacute and specialty clinical areas in all our facilities. At St Vincent’s Hospital, we are committed to supporting nursing education and learning, therefore we welcome students to attend exciting opportunities during their clinical placements such as attending whole of hospital CPD sessions. We have experienced and dedicated nursing staff, that will supervise you and who will work alongside you during your placements.

First day of clinical placement

If you are confirmed to attend clinical placement at St Vincent’s Hospital, please ensure you have read the following information. We look forward to meeting you on the first day of your clinical placement.

All students will meet the Nurse Educator (Undergraduate and Clinical Programs) on Level 4, Xavier Building (Mezzanine lounge). 

  • Enter the hospital through the main entrance, walk through the main foyer and take the escalator to Level 4, turn left at the top and you’re on the Mezzanine.

For day one only

Students allocated a morning shift are expected to attend at the following times:

0800hrs if allocated to:

  • Integrated Care – Community
  • Palliative Care - Community
  • Homeless Health 

0830hrs all other areas.

Students allocated an afternoon shift are expected to arrive at 1330hrs.

Standard of dress

  • University/TAFE/Education provider uniform must be worn at all times
  • In areas exempt from uniform (such as community and homeless health) smart dress is required, but jeans, cargo pants, sneakers and t-shirts are not appropriate
  • Shoes must be fully enclosed and of non-permeable material (i.e., leather or vinyl shoes – cannot be mesh or fabric) with a non-slip sole.
  • ID badges with name and photo visible are to be worn at all times
  • Hair must be worn off the collar and free from the face
  • Students must comply with the Bare below the elbows guideline for direct patient care. Wrist watches, bangles, bracelets or arm bands must be removed. 
  • Hand jewellery is limited to one wedding ring band. Facial and ear jewellery are to be limited to a small discreet stud or sleeper
  • Any type of coverings on nails (i.e. false nails, shellac, SNS, gel or nail polish), are not permitted.

Professional and workplace conduct

  • Students must comply with NSW Health Code of Conduct and St Vincent’s Hospital policies and procedures at all times while on clinical placement. Failure to do so will result in commencement of a formal process and possible removal from the clinical placement and the University/TAFE/Education provider will be notified
  • Students must comply with the Smoke Free Health care policy. Smoking is not permitted in any area of hospital grounds (including footpaths outside the campus) This includes vaping.
  • The use of mobile phones or other personal electronic devices is not allowed in clinical areas. All devices are to be switched off and utilised once you have left the clinical area
  • Sick leave - if you are sick you need to ensure contact the following:
    • University/TAFE/Education Provider facilitator
    • Clinical unit
  • Students must ensure to be punctual for every shift and only leave the clinical unit at designated breaks. Students are not to organise tours or work in another clinical area unless SVH Nurse Educator (Undergraduate and Clinical Programs) and the Clinical Facilitator have approved this.
  • Shift swaps cannot be organised between students. Under exceptional circumstances, it must be referred to the Clinical Nurse Educator of your area who will liaise with the SVH Nurse Educator (Undergraduate and Clinical Programs) and the Clinical Facilitator for consideration
  • Students or facilitators are not authorised to organise ‘make up’ time during the placement. This is organised through the students’ education provider

Mandatory training

All students must complete mandatory eLearning modules in My Health Learning (MHL) system, prior to commencing a clinical placement, as per the Guidelines for Clinical Placements in NSW Health (PD2022_049).

Students will need to use their StaffLink ID and password to access MHL. 

The MHL account will be activated thirteen (13) days prior to each placement commencing and deactivated on the last day of placement.

Click here for a list of MHL modules. 

Further information

All Clinical placements are managed through the NSW Health Clinconnect database. Requests for student placements can only be made by the Education Provider that have a student placement agreement with St Vincent’s Hospital. 

We are unable to host nursing/health services students for clinical placements outside of this system.

Currently we are unable to accept any clinical placement requested or internships from Education Providers outside Australia. 

Workplace experience for high school students is currently not available.