3.5 How to apply for practice
nursing positions
To identify available general practice nursing positions check
advertisements in newspapers, internet employment sites (such
as the APNA Career Centre site at www.apna.asn.au, and by
contacting divisions of general practice either by telephone or
viewing division websites at http://www.adgp.com.au/site/index.cfm?module=DIVISION Consider visiting practices in locations
of interest and leave a copy of your resume.
When you have identified positions for practice nurses, contact
the named person in the advertisement and ask for further
information about the position. Request that a copy of the
position description and any other information be sent to you.
Complete your written application with details as requested by the practice. These may include: a cover letter expressing your
interest and summarising the skills and knowledge that you
have relevant to the position advertised; a resume; and details of
your skills, knowledge and experience in relation to the essential
and desirable job description criteria. Prior to offering names of
referees seek their permission to provide contact details.
Prepare for the interview by:
• reviewing the job description and preparing examples to demonstrate your knowledge, skills and experience
• assembling evidence of your registration and proof that it is
current and up to date, and evidence of other qualifications
including any
• accreditation and proof of its currency
• contacting sources of relevant information to update
your knowledge regarding the community that the
practice services
• contacting your local division of general practice for
additional information
• prepare questions that you want answered at the interview. These questions might include information about: the
practice team
• composition, the practice population,
the physical work environment, remuneration,
practice communication, clinical meetings, ongoing
• professional development.
Salary negotiation
(For further information see the ‘For the Employer’, section 2.5,
of this resource).
Following the commencement of Work Choices industrial laws, minimum remuneration will depend on whether a Federal Award,
a Notional Agreement Preserving State Awards (NAPSAs)
or a Certified Agreement applies. The applicable industrial
instrument will set the minimum remuneration, including where
an Australian Workplace Agreement or common law contract is
being used by the general practice.
Nurses’ salaries, classification structures and conditions of employment vary across states and territories, and most have
different awards which set out minimum pay and conditions.
Some states and territories also have awards that apply
specifically to nurses working in medical rooms.
An award provides the employer with the minimum pay rates and employment conditions which must be given to
employees. Alternatively, a contract or certified agreement can
be prepared and applied. Employing a nurse with appropriate
skills, knowledge and experience will require a competitive
remuneration package. Nurses have the option of negotiating a
salary based on their skills and experience.
The move from a hospital-based or public health service nursing position to working as a nurse in general practice means a shift
to working in small business. Nurses need to understand the
small business environment including the financial and other
benefits that a general practice may achieve by employing a
practice nurse. This understanding may assist nurses in salary
negotiations. For information can be obtained from:
http://www.adgp.com.au/site/index.cfm?display=4002
http://www.apna.asn.au/site/index.cfm?display=6128
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