10 June 2026

Nursing student initiative drives stability in aged care workforce

Lutheran Services’ Transition to Practice Program strengthens aged care staffing by supporting early-career nurses into permanent roles and improving long-term workforce stability through high retention. Since piloting the program in 2022, the initiative has supported 109 nursing students in Queensland. Thirty-three students are currently undertaking placements, with an additional cohort planned for the second half of 2026.

Lutheran Services’ Regional Manager Eldho Kurian said the program’s success is reflected in a notable shift in end of placement employment.

“While the demand for registered nurses across the industry remains high, what we’re seeing is the impact of investing in our own people. Our ‘train your own’ model is helping us retain more of our permanent workforce because they feel supported and valued in their roles,” Mr Kurian said.

“When we first launched the program in 2022, demand was so strong that more than 75 per cent of participants were receiving a job offer after their interview. Four years on, that’s shifted to 25 per cent, but this decrease is a positive sign as it means we have fewer vacancies at the end of each program because of our high-retention rates.
“This trend signals stronger workforce stability, and positions Lutheran Services as an employer of choice and leader in registered nurse development programs.”

Pioneered in partnership with the University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC), Lutheran Services’ Transition to Practice Program is a two-month intensive program helping fast-track third-year nursing students into careers at its regional aged care sites in Queensland.

Mr Kurian said the initiative addresses the critical need for a sustainable nursing workforce as the ageing population continues to grow.

“The need for skilled, compassionate nurses in aged care continues to rise. But it’s not just about bringing people into the workforce – it’s about creating the right environment for them to stay,” Mr Kurian said.

Mr Kurian said the initiative immerses students in a supportive, team-based environment where they are treated as part of the workforce from day one, an approach that has proven critical to retention outcomes.

“We’re not just training nurses; we are investing in their future. With a cohort of 33 students this year, we expect a significant portion to stay on as full-time employees after completion of the program.”

Samir Dhodari is a Clinical Nurse at Cooinda Aged Care, who went through the program in 2024 and accepted a full-time role at Lutheran Services’ upon completion.

“Before I went to university for nursing, I worked as a carer in residential aged care, which gave me a firsthand understanding of the difference nurses can make in the sector,” Mr Dhodari said.

“That experience sparked my interest in becoming a nurse and confirmed early on that aged care was where I wanted to build my career.”

Mr Dhodari said the Transition to Practice Program gave him the confidence to step into the role of a registered nurse and later grow into his current role of clinical nurse.

“From the beginning of the Transition to Practice Program, I was supported, but also trusted to take on responsibility autonomously, which helped build my skills and confidence.

“I accepted a registered nurse position at Cooinda Aged Care after completing the program, and over time I was given opportunities to expand my responsibilities. When a clinical nurse positioned opened up, I was encouraged to step into an acting role, and this became a natural pathway into the permanent position.”

The Transition to Practice program offers an intensive, final-year clinical placement experience, combining hands-on learning with targeted education in key areas such as dementia care, falls prevention, wound management and end-of-life care. Participants are supported by experienced geriatric nurses and university clinical facilitators, ensuring they graduate with the skills and confidence to transition directly to registered nursing roles in aged care.

Mr Kurian said he looks forward to continuing the strong partnership with UniSC and expanding the program to more Lutheran Services’ sites across the state.

“Lutheran Services continues to look for innovative ways to attract and retain staff. The goal is to have a workforce of highly skilled nurses in the sector who care and understand the needs of older Australians,’’ he said.

“Aged care was once viewed as a place where registered nurses went to wind down their careers, but that perception has changed significantly. Today, the sector is recognised for offering meaningful career pathways with opportunities for complex chronic disease management and supporting mental health issues with a holistic approach.

“Our graduates consistently tell us they feel supported and empowered in their roles at Lutheran Services.’’

To learn more about Lutheran Services’ Transition to Practice Program, call 1800 960 433.