Peninsula Health executive director Jan Child said a new intensive care unit, maternity ward and surgical theatres at Frankston Hospital had helped attract 57 graduate nurses and midwives from various universities.

"Nursing staff make up the majority of our workforce, and are one of the most critical elements of an effective health service."

She said the graduate program would provide many challenges in medicine, surgery and other specialist areas as the university graduates progressed to be fully-fledged registered nurses.

Experienced staff and mentors would be on hand to help them.

"Almost all of last year's graduates are still with Peninsula Health and we expect to continue this trend in the future," she said.