General News
28 March, 2026
Re-entry program for nurses
NORTH Queensland nurses will have the opportunity to join a cohort of 500 returning to the workforce under a new nationwide re-entry program.
The Nurse Re-entry Program, supported by Northern Queensland Primary Health Network, encourages previously enrolled nurses, registered nurses, and nurse practitioners to join the primary care workforce and will facilitate more practitioner training.
NQPHN chief executive officer Ben Tooth said the program was aimed at matching nurses who had been out of the workforce for the last 5-10 years with a general practice background.
“It can be daunting to re-enter the nursing workforce after an extended period of leave,” he said.
“This program takes the stress and uncertainty out of the process by offering support, training, and supervision to help nurses brush up on their skills and provide care for people in their own community.
“Working in a general practice has the added benefit of providing a work-life balance, without returning to shift work, which is often one of the reasons nurses take leave or need a break from the profession.”
The paid placements will assist eligible nurses to meet the Nursing Midwifery Board of Australia recency of practice standards and regain full registration by providing training and supervision to refresh skills and build capacity.
Those who may already be talking to a practice about a placement are also encouraged to consider going through the program, as it will not only support the process but may also provide the practice with a $2,000 grant as an added incentive.
The program will also strengthen practice teams’ and train nurses in-house – encouraging practices to retain the nurse permanently after the placement is complete.
Recent nursing graduates and those who hold current student registrations are not eligible.
Expressions of interest are now open for nurses and practices that would like to host a supervised placement.
