School Nurses Handbook
APNA developed this handbook to support school nurses. It serves as a comprehensive tool, guiding them in best practice guidelines, evidence-based practices and providing essential resources.
NiPHC Transition to Practice Program
Are you new to nursing in primary health care (PHC) or want to support someone who is?
Benefits of participating in the NiPHC TPP
TPP is for nurses new to primary health care, whether recently graduated or experienced nurses moving away from acute settings for the first time, who are looking for some extra support as they settle into their new roles.
The program is free for transitioning nurses as part of the Nursing in Primary Health Care Program, an Australian Government initiative. All tranches of this program are currently underway or complete.
Across an ten-month program, nurses who want some additional support to increase knowledge, skills and confidence in primary health care with support from an experienced PHC nurse mentor, the NiPHC TPP provides:
- 100% online program - participate from anywhere in Australia
- Exclusive access to a clinical and professional mentor
- Access tailored online education and resources developed specifically for nurses new to PHC
- Receive a Foundations of General Practice Workbook
- Guidance to plan and complete your CPD
- Join our Community of Practice - connect, learn, network
- Best of all, it is free for nurse mentees and mentors are compensated for dedicating their valuable time!
Eligibility
Transitioning Nurses (TNs)
Nurse Practitioners, Registered or Enrolled Nurses looking for support during their transition to a PHC workplace and who fit into one of the following categories:
- Graduate Nurses already employed in a PHC workplace: Graduated from tertiary studies in the last two years and has not previously completed a TPP.
- Experienced Nurse employed in a PHC workplace and seeking additional support: Has three or more years experience in nursing and has transitioned (or is transitioning) into a PHC workplace
Clinical and Professional Mentors
Registered Nurse or Nurse Practitioner with at least four years of relevant and recent PHC experience. Mentors are not required to work in a PHC setting but must have worked in a PHC setting or related field in the last two years. Mentors are compensated for providing 32 hours of clinical and professional mentoring (direct and/or indirect) over six months. Where possible, mentoring is delivered via small group learning with the one mentor supporting between one or three nurses
Key dates of 2026
Dates for 2026 are coming soon.
If you are interested in learning more in the meantime, you can view our last information session zoom recording here.
Any questions?
Our expert team will be able to answer them for you.
- Email transitiontopractice@apna.asn.au
- Call 1300 303 184
The Transition to Practice Program is part of the Nursing in Primary Health Care Program, supported by funding from the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.
Program Q&A
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Program Induction Training
Compulsory 1.5-hour program induction training for all nurses in the program.
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Clinical and Professional Mentoring via Small Group Learning
The TPP links each Transitioning Nurse with an experienced Clinical and Professional Nurse Mentor who will support them through small group learning.
Mentors must be a registered nurse or nurse practitioner who has a minimum of four years of relevant and recent PHC experience. Mentors are not required to be currently working in a PHC setting, but must have worked in a PHC setting or related field in the last 2 years.
Mentors are funded $2,160 to provide a minimum of 32 hours of clinical and professional mentoring (direct and/or indirectly) to mentee/ mentees over 6 months, to a maximum of three nurses (i.e. 32 hours of mentoring provided to the mentee group, not 32 hours per nurse).
Mentoring is conducted both directly and indirectly:
- Direct contact is provided when the mentor is present, observes, works with, and may assist the transitioning nurse in their role.
- Indirect contact is provided when the mentor is easily contactable, but may not directly observe daily activities. This might involve contact via SMS, telephone, Zoom or other electronic communication methods.
Small group learning is an educational approach that is learner-centered with a focus on active learning and engagement. The sessions will be led by the mentor, with contributions from the group. It is up to individuals in the groups to decide when/how/ where the sessions will be held over the eight months. Additional one-on-one support from the mentor may be available for nurses as required.
Mentors are provided with training, tools, resources, and APNA nurse support to assist in the facilitation of small group learning, in addition to $2,700 funding for their time in the program.
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Education
View the education provided in the program
The TPP provides a framework for optimising access to over 150 online education activities for nurses.
Nurses are expected to complete the 12 core education activities by program end.
Education has been divided up as:
- Core: education crucial for nurses to know within their first 12 months in primary health care;
- Key: education important for nurses to know within their first 12 months in primary health care; and
- Optional: additional education that may be useful to nurses in primary health care and/or education sought outside of the program
Transitioning nurses are provided with a hard-copy Foundations of General Practice workbook.
Mentors are provided with the full suite of TPP online education activities, as well as additional mentor and leadership specific courses. Further, mentors are provided with training, tools, resources, and APNA nurse support to assist in the facilitation of small group learning.
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Self-Assessment Tool
An online self-assessment tool to assist nurses with prioritising and planning their education needs, then tracking their progress, throughout the program
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Quality Improvement & Program Support
All participants are required to provide regular feedback about the program to APNA, e.g. submission of a monthly report (template provided by APNA).
All participants are supported by APNA throughout the program, both APNA nurses and program support staff.
All nurses will have the opportunity to participate in and contribute to group discussions via an online networking forum, the TPP Community of Practice via Mentorloop.
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Time commitment
Transitioning nurses must be willing to complete program activities in their own time, in addition to any work hours and/or study leave they are able to arrange access to with their workplace.
Program activities can be undertaken to fit in with the individual's schedule and pacing. Participants conservatively report spending one hour per week (or 4-5 hours per month) undertaking program activities across the course of the 10 month program (50 hours).
Nurse mentors are required to commit a minimum 40 hours of their time to mentoring (direct/indirect) over their eight months in the program (one to two hours per week). This includes preparation time. Mentors with 1+ transitioning nurse provide mentoring via Small Group Learning, (with 40 mentoring hours delivered to the group).
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Program publication
APNA's Transition Programs have been published in SAGE Open Nursing and is freely available for all to read.
- Nurses Transitioning to Primary Health Care in Australia: A Practice Improvement Initiative - Web version
- Nurses Transitioning to Primary Health Care in Australia: A Practice Improvement Initiative - PDF version
Other publications:
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TPP Key Contacts
Contact TPP team members:
- Email transitiontopractice@apna.asn.au
- Call 1300 303 184
Do not hesitate to get in touch with our friendly team!
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Previous TPP Programs
Over the next three years, July 2023 to June 2026, APNA will be rolling out the third phase of its Commonwealth funded Transition to Practice Program.
Funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, APNA's 2018–2023 Nursing in Primary Health Care (NiPHC) Program worked to build capacity amongst the primary health care nursing workforce following the 2015-2018 NiPHC Program.
Sitting within the broader NiPHC Program, the TPP has been designed to improve recruitment, professional development, and retention of nurses in primary health care.
With seven groups across as many years, APNA's TPP provides an evidence-based education framework over 12 months to nurses who have transitioned to primary health care and feel they would benefit from additional support.
Who can participate in the TPP?
- Newly graduated or experienced nurses who are currently working on average, 14 hours a week (approx 2x days a week), in a primary health care setting and would like additional support during their transition. (Transitioning Nurse, TN)
- Nurses with four or more years experience in primary health care and interested in mentoring (Clinical and Professional Mentor)
The program has supported 250+ nurses Australia-wide having recently transitioned to primary health care (350+ including nurse mentors).
Past TPP Groups
NiPHC TPP 2015-2018 Group Program Duration 1 April 2016 – March 2017 2 April 2017 – March 2018 NiPHC TPP 2018-2023 Group Program Duration 1 February 2019 – January 2020 2 September 2019 – August 2020 3 July 2020 – June 2021 4 May 2021 – May 2022 5 July 2022 – July 2023 Contact the TPP Team to learn more about NiPHC TPP Programs past and current.
Find out more about other TPP programs offered by APNA throughout the year.
The Transition to Practice Program has been funded by the Australian Government Department of Health
Professional Indemnity Insurance
You can add APNA-Member Professional Indemnity Insurance to your membership, when you join APNA.