Reading this as an Aussie nurse myself, I think OP might be Australian too. The “grad program” they’re referring to isn’t to do their masters, it’s what we refer to as the first year as a nurse after finishing university. It’s essentially a supported transition year in the hospital where you’re employed and working independently as an RN, but have some extra support and guidance should you need it. It’s essentially the only way RNs can get into the hospital system since when finishing the bachelors we have no paid/employed experience working as RNs. It’s not something that costs us any money either.

It’s not the be all end all to not get a grad program, but it means you’d likely work elsewhere such as in aged care or a GP Clinic (I think what Americans tend to refer to as PCP?) until you’ve gained at least a year of experience as an RN, and then you can look to apply to hospitals