Issue 18 10/09/12 fortnightly
Education Feature Nurses embrace new simulated online education Hero paramedic honoured New forensics course for nurses and paramedics Nursing organisation targets low health literacy
Visited by more nurses, midwives and AHPs than any other health website
Royal North Shore Hospital
Royal North Shore H
The Royal North Shore Hospital is on the “Move”. Have you seen the new facility being built? Well we are about to move. Why don’t you move and join the Nursing and Midwifery team at Royal North Shore Hospital. This is an experience of a life time and one that your career can’t miss. The Royal North Shore Hospital has a proud history of providing expert clinical nursing and midwifery care. The hospital provides statewide services such as Burns, Spinal, Intensive Care and Neonatal Intensive Care. There are also a variety of clinical specialties such as haematology, midwifery, paediatrics, orthopaedics, emergency, perioperative, oncology, ENT, urology, renal, cardiology just to mention a few. Come and join the Nursing and Midwifery Team at Royal North Shore Hospital providing care for our community in our new state of the art facility. We are looking for Registered Nurses, Midwives and Enrolled Nurses.
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For more information contact: Nursing and Midwifery Operations Royal North Shore Hospital 9926 7772 RNSNursing&Midwifery@nsccahs.health.nsw.gov.au Let us link you into your future career move and move with us into what is a really exciting phase for the Royal North Shore Hospital.
Northern Sydney Local Health District
Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 18 | Page 3
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Hospital is On The Move
www.ncah.com.au Issue 18 – 10 September 2012 We hope you enjoy perusing the range of opportunities included in Issue 18, 2012. If you are interested in pursuing any of these opportunities, please contact the advertiser directly via the contact details provided. If you have any queries about our publication or if you would like to receive our publication, please email us at careers@ncah.com.au “FACT, NOT FICTION” The NCAH Magazine distribution is independently audited by the Circulations Audit Board. Total Audited Print and Digital Distribution: 28,090 The NCAH Magazine is the most widely distributed national nursing and allied health publication in Australia For all advertising and production enquiries please contact us on +61 (0) 3 9271 8700, email careers@ncah.com.au or visit www.ncah.com.au If you would like to change your mailing address, or be included on our distribution, please email careers@ncah.com.au
Published by Seabreeze Communications Pty Ltd Trading as NCAH. ABN 29 071 328 053. © 2012 Seabreeze Communications Pty Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied or reproduced by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher. Compliance with the Trade Practices Act 1974 of advertisements contained in this publication is the responsibility of those who submit the advertisement for publication.
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Advertiser List AHN Recruitment Alliance Health Services Group Australasian Academy of Cosmetic Dermal Science Australian College Of Applied Psychology Careers Australia College CCM Recruitment International Crisis Prevention Institute Deakin University Defence Force Recruiting Employment Office Geneva Health Healthcare Staffing Solutions Institute of Health and Nursing Australia Koala Nursing Agency MedTrain MIECAT NSW Health - Royal North Shore Hospital Oceania University of Medicine Oxford Aunts Care Queensland University of Technology Quick and Easy Finance Regional Nursing Solutions Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology Smart Salary Swingshift Nurses Unified Healthcare Group University of New England University of Technology Sydney
A GREAT CAREER MOVE Patient Safety Officer (HS6) Department: Quality & Risk Location: Shepparton Permanent Part Time 40 Hours per fortnight Reporting to the Director Quality and Risk, the Patient Safety Officer will possess expertise in this specialist field. As a valued member of the Quality and Risk Division you will play a key role in further developing systems and an organisational culture of patient safety and quality The Patient Safety Officer coordinates a responsive and effective Incident Management program including the review, management and wide education of the Victorian Health Incident Management System (VHIMS), facilitating robust in-depth clinical review and root cause analysis teams to identify and correct system barriers to the delivery of accepted safe quality clinical care. To be considered for this position you will demonstrate-
• Tertiary and/or post graduate health qualifications with significant recent clinical experience • Working knowledge of current principles of risk management, quality improvement and clinical governance • Highly developed analytical, conceptual, research and problem solving skills, including the use of appropriate software, database and analytical tools • Demonstrated high level communication skills including excellent writing and presentation skills • Skills to search for and evaluate current evidence based practice and research publications. • Knowledge and experience in Root Cause Analysis is desirable Register and apply online at www.gvhealth.org.au Key selection criteria and position description available online. Applications that do not address the key selections criteria will not be considered. GV Health is an equal opportunity employer who provides a smoke free environment.
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Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 18 | Page 7
Health Screening Consultants - Sub-Contractors • Flexible - you set the pace, it’s your business! • Discover new challenges • Competitive Remuneration • National Opportunities UHG specialises in providing support services to the insurance and legal sectors, and currently have FANTASTIC opportunities to recruit Health Screening Consultants to register with our national mobile network. Exciting opportunities for Nurses, Paramedics and Pathology Collectors looking for new challenges within a growing sector that allows freedom of choice are now available. Essential Requirements: • Solid nursing background (min 2yrs post grad) • Venepuncture (min 2yrs exp) • Excellent general medical knowledge and terminology • Professional presentation and communication, along with impressive time management skills • Passion for delivering high standards of service, to coincide with the company’s friendly and personable approach to Health Screening • Current CPR Certification • National Police Check Interested to learn more? Visit our website at www.uhg.com.au To apply online visit www.healthscreening.com.au For general enquiries, please contact Ashlyn Smith (03) 9292 7049 or Liz Dickson (03) 9692 7716
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Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 18 | Page 9
Hero paramedic honoured by Karen Keast Paramedic Michael Wilson made the ultimate sacrifice for a complete stranger on Christmas Eve.
Hatchman, Redcliffe Hospital oncology nurse Maria Boland and Brisbane registered nurse Suzan Nancarrow.
Now, eight months later, the New South Wales SCAT paramedic has been honoured with a Pride of Australia Medal in the Heroism category in the 2012 awards.
In South Australia, finalists include SA Health registered nurse and St John Ambulance Australia volunteer Darren Daff and Gary Wyld, an SA Ambulance Service paramedic.
Mr Wilson, a paramedic for 15 years, died after a winch line was cut during a complex rescue operation at Carrington Falls on the state’s south coast.
St John Ambulance Service volunteer Michael Lanagan is a finalist in Western Australia, and in Tasmania, 21-year-old ambulance volunteer Damien Almond and Royal Hobart Hospital nurse Helen Starosta have been named as finalists.
In the first state presentation of medals at a ceremony in Sydney, Mr Wilson’s wife, Kellie, a nurse, their three children and his mother, Jean, accepted the honour. Mrs Wilson paid tribute to her husband for his unfailing dedication to his career. “It’s a little known fact that in Michael’s last moment as he suffered devastating injuries that he continued to care for his patient, providing him with safety equipment and advice until the patient’s final rescue could be completed,” she told the ceremony. Mr Wilson was the first NSW paramedic to be killed on duty in more than 30 years. The helicopter paramedic was lowered into the canyon to rescue the injured canyoner, who he secured in the basket but strong winds hurled the basket against the rock wall, where Mr Wilson received severe injuries. The injured man was winched to safety but Mr Wilson was unable to be winched up. The line was cut and he died at the scene. Other nursing and allied health professionals across Australia have been named as finalists in the annual News Limited community awards that recognise the nation’s unsung heroes. They include Gold Coast flight rescue helicopter intensive care paramedic Darrin Page 10 | www.ncah.com.au
The Northern Territory’s finalists include nurse Claire Peberdy and passionate midwifery advocate Margaret Phelan.
RNS NURSES ROCK! Work where you are valued and cared for Placements in rural, remote, coastal and city locations Your needs, interests and skills matched to placements Team rewards and CPD programs call 1300 761 351 email work@rnsnursing.com.au www.rnsnursing.com.au
IHNA Institute of Health and Nursing Australia
REGISTERED NURSING RE-ENTRY PROGRAM NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE Accredited program available via flexible delivery Clinical Placements in your local area Online education allows you to study part-time Scholarships / Government Funding available for eligible students Institute of Health and Nursing Australia Web: www.ihna.edu.au
Tel: (03) 9450 5100
Email: info@ihna.edu.au
Nursing Re-Entry Goes Online
Scholarships and Funding Available for Eligible Students Demand for capable and experienced registered nursing staff is forecast to continue growing beyond 2025 influenced by an ageing population, increased demand for health services and an increasing expectation for service delivery in the home and in registered facilities. Workforce planning authorities’ estimate that by 2025 Australia will have a shortfall of 100,000 nurses. A number of these nurses may be drawn from the community of registered nurses who have already completed their training and are currently working in non-health roles. However for many nurses it is simply not possible to undertake full-time study while balancing the demands of family and other work. Online education has been embraced by the healthcare sector and now nurses seeking to re-enter the nursing workforce can complete their re-entry training through a blended online learning program. The Institute of Health and Nursing Australia now offers a reentry program for nurses allowing them to complete online up to 120 hours of required 160-hours of practical training, with a further one-day per week of practical training at one of the Institute’s local Education Centres around Australia. The availability online of the Return to Nursing program will
enable trained nurses living in regional and rural areas to complete the theoretical component of their training online while undertaking practical training and their Clinical Placement at a local hospital. Bijo Kunnumpurath, CEO at the Institute of Health and Nursing Australia noted that feedback from nurses around Australia showed they are not always able to leave their current nonhealth jobs and support full-time study, and that classroom based study required attendance at classes and draws heavily on extensive childcare and alternative family arrangements during the hours of study. “Our aim is to realise lifelong careers in healthcare,” says Mr Kunnumpurath. “The investment in training and education throughout a nursing career is considerable, and this education must be accessible and engaging if we are to retain our valuable nursing resources in the healthcare system.” The Return to Nursing online program costs $8,250 (incl GST) which includes all materials and access to IHNA’s online library and student support services. Scholarships and funding is available to eligible students. Further information about the online re-entry program and scholarships or funding is available from www.ihna.edu.au or info@ihna.edu.au
Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 18 | Page 11
grow your knowledge
• • • • •
Continuing Professional Development for Nurses Specialty specific learning Webinars - live interactive learning sessions on-line Facilitators of tailor-made workshops in your specialty and location Seminars Check out the CQ CPD Webinar Events Calendar at
www.cqcpd.com.au 239 Nebo Rd - Mackay Q 4740 p | 07 4998 5550 e | education@cqcpd.com.au Page 12 | www.ncah.com.au
Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 18 | Page 13
Escalating or Potentially Aggressive Situations? Since 1980, over six million health care professionals—including thousands of nurses—have participated in CPI’s highly successful Nonviolent Crisis InterventionSM training course and learned proven methods for managing challenging situations that may include aggressive behaviour. The course teaches staff how to respond effectively to the warning signs that someone is about to lose control and how to deal with their own stress and anxiety when confronted with these difficult situations. Additionally, the training helps ensure that staff who are exposed to aggression have the skills to reduce risk and injury, have access to the Duty of Care Standards, and comply with Occupational Health and Safety Regulations. Visit crisisprevention.com/plot for more information and to download our FREE eBook, Creating a Safe and Caring Work Environment, containing insightful tips you can share immediately with your staff. Australia and New Zealand Office PO Box 509, Dulwich Hill • Sydney, 2203, NSW Free Phone: 1300 244 674 Tel (Local Australia): +61 (0) 2 9516 5177 Email: information@crisisprevention.com • crisisprevention.com
With the course structure and support network of OUM, I am going to make my goal of becoming a physician. A good physician. Paris, Paramedic from Mackay, OUM Class of 2016
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Join us at an upcoming 2012 training course: 9–12 October • Melbourne, VIC 16–19 October • Brisbane, QLD 30 October–2 November • Sydney, NSW 6–9 November • Kent Town (Adelaide), SA
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MEDICAL ADMINISTRATION TRAINING Leading Health Industry course provider Great chance to upskill your career. CERT IV Health Supervision CERT IV Front Line Management CERT IV Medical Practice
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Career in Health Industry Looking to upgrade your Career or wanting a change in your current role? Medical Administration Training is offering various Cert III and Cert IV qualifications to prepare you to achieve your goal. Now when considering training it is important to ask these 3 questions: 1. Will this training lead to a job? 2. Will that job be secure even in tough economic times? 3. Is there a good career path within that industry? Medical Administration Training is the leading training provider within the medical/health industry offering Medical Reception Courses, plus qualifications in Aged Care, Business Administration (Medical), Health Administration, Health Supervision.
Our focus is to provide great quality, affordable training in the Medical and Health related industry. Students are supported during the length of their course. Our Trainers and Assessors are leaders in their field and currently work in the industry. This ensures students receive the most up to date information relevant to their workplace. This is consistent with our motto ‘become job ready’. Students have the option to study externally so it does not have to affect your current work routines. All students receive ongoing telephone and email support from our experienced team to ensure they remain focused and motivated to achieve their qualification. Interest free payment plans are available for all courses. In some States Government funding is also available to eligible students. For the full article visit NCAH.com.au Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 18 | Page 15
New forensics course for nurses and paramedics by Karen Keast
A South Australian university will launch an online course in forensic health care next year. Flinders University has joined forces with John Hopkins University, in the United States, to offer nurses, midwives, paramedics and other health care professionals the first course of its kind in Australia. The Fundamentals of Forensic Health Care course has been designed to provide health care professionals with an understanding of standard forensic terminology and will cover a range of situations often confronting health care workers.
will withstand judicial scrutiny.” Assoc. Professor Starr said the course will equip participants with the knowledge to support victims of crime with the required evidence in court. “Health care professionals work with people who are victims of crime and you are less likely to have to go to court to give evidence if you have collected your evidence really well,” she said. “You have actually done your job at the bedside.”
The 40-hour course will also provide an overview of legal processes detailing the collection and prosecution of evidence.
Assoc. Professor Starr has a background as a forensic psych nurse, correctional nurse and also as a lawyer and recently founded the Australian Forensic Nurses Association.
Flinders University School of Nursing and Midwifery Associate Professor Linda Starr said nurses and paramedics were often the first people to assist crime victims, including sexual assault victims.
She designed the course with Assoc. Professor Dan Sheridan, who has worked in forensics nursing, from John Hopkins University’s School of Nursing.
“If you have got somebody who has been a victim of crime, health care professionals can destroy a lot of the evidence inadvertently,” she said. “With a little bit of knowledge and organisation you can actually give first class care at the same time as preserving the evidence. “With all health care professionals, this will help them identify what is evidence and use forensic language to describe wounds and then record the evidence and collect the clinical notes that Page 16 | www.ncah.com.au
“We recognised there’s no specific courses around that give people a chance to come in and have a look at all sorts of forensic health practices,” Assoc. Professor Starr said. For more information on Flinders University’s Fundamentals of Forensic Health Care course visit www.flinders.edu.au/nursing/professionaldevelopment/fundamentals-of-forensichealthcare.cfm. To contact the Australian Forensic Nurses Association email linda.starr@ flinders.edu.au.
HLT-12-1061 CRICOS no. 00213J
Boost your health career
“QUT was the only university I could find that would give me an integrated approach in my practice. When I looked into it as a pathway to registration as a psychologist, I really could see that the training is of such a high standard. The opportunity to study a range of therapies has been immensely important in working not only with other health professionals, but in being able to tailor treatment to specific patients.” Dr Rachael Bellair, QUT graduate
Are you passionate about making a real difference to people’s lives through health care services and policy? Advance your skills and expand your career opportunities with postgraduate studies in: Nursing Health Management Occupational Health and Safety Psychology Counselling Public Health Social Work Environmental Health Biotechnology Ultrasound – Cardiac/Medical Research – undertake innovative research through a PhD To learn more and register for QUT’s online Postgraduate Options Evening on Tuesday, 9 October 2012 please visit www.qut.edu.au/ boost-your-health career.
Head of School (Nursing) Full time role, 38 hours per week, George Street Sydney Essential Requirements: • Hold a current practicing licence as a Registered Nurse with APHRA & B. Nursing • Have experience in the delivery of vocational education in Nursing & financial Mgt • Have an understanding of the relevant compliance regulations including NVR Standards, ESOS Act (Cwth), ANMAC Standards Human Resource Manager careers@careersaustralia.edu.au PO Box 1433 Fortitude Valley QLD 4006 Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 18 | Page 17
DEAKIN IS THE HEALTHY CHOICE FOR POSTGRADUATE STUDY. Studying at Deakin University offers students the unique edge for working in the healthcare sector. Many courses are offered by off campus or full time or part-time. Courses available: • Nutrition and Dietetics
• Health Promotion
• Psychology
• Clinical Leadership
• Coaching and Counselling
• Medicine, Surgery
• Nursing and Midwifery
• Public Health
• Exercise Physiology
• Optometry
For more information visit deakin.edu.au or email health-enquire@deakin.edu.au 03 9251 7777. CRICOS Provider Code: 00113B
Page 18 | www.ncah.com.au
DEA0383
Education that will really set you apart
There’s a lot of sameness out there, but at the University of New England, we offer a range of Postgraduate Nursing courses that will really set you apart from the rest. UNE’s nursing courses can extend or consolidate your career in specialty areas such as trauma and critical care, perioperative and cardiac nursing, mental health, community health, rural and remote area nursing and a Master of Clinical Leadership; education and teaching or health management and leadership. Our flexible learning methods allow you to tailor studies to suit your life. You can choose to study either full time or part time via distance education. When studying by distance, we keep in close contact with you via a range of communication channels and support you with a vast array of materials and online resources. UNE has been at the forefront of nurse education longer than any other university in Australia. If you’re ready to take the next step in your nursing career, then Postgraduate Nursing Study at UNE will really set you apart.
Applications are now open. Visit une.edu.au/ncah
Now you’re thinking Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 18 | Page 19
Nurses embrace new simulated online education by Karen Keast The Australian Nursing Federation has been inundated with inquiries after launching its innovative new simulated online education program.
“Scores and time taken to complete each module is stored in a logbook on the website for easy transference to the CPE professional development portfolio.”
ANF federal education officer Jodie Davis said the Simulation Education Online website, which features 32 training modules with 3D simulation, had prompted a flood of queries and website registrations.
Ms Davis said the website was three years in the making and was ideal for rural and remote nurses and also for any nurse who wanted to add to their training outside the workplace.
“The day that we put it up on the website, before we actually launched it, we had 100 people register with the site,” she said. “That just goes to show how much interest is out there.” The website provides online clinical simulations for nurses and midwives for continuing professional development. The modules cover vascular, surgical, gynaecological and general procedures along with urinary bladder catherisation, injections, electrocardiography and vital signs, and includes specific clinical procedures such as how to administer an injection, insert a nasogastric tube or perform and interpret an ECG. Ms Davis said the website, developed by New Zealand cognitive simulation pioneering company SIMTICS, was the first of its kind for nurses in Australia. “Each module teaches a different procedure through an interactive simulation, accompanied by a step-by-step text with hyperlinks, a video demonstration, a 3D model of the anatomy encountered during the procedure and a quiz,” she said. “The simulation is also available in test mode so the nurse or midwife can check their competence. Page 20 | www.ncah.com.au
“These highly visual and interactive simulations allow the learning or review of nursing clinical procedures by mental enactment without the distraction of events in the workplace or the cost associated with attending face-to-face training,” she said. “It’s terribly exciting. It’s a different way of learning but I really think this will be embraced.” Modules cost $10 each for ANF, NSWNA and QNU members and are $15 for nonmembers.
The Vocational Graduate Certificate in Cosmetic Nursing is a postgraduate course developed specifically for Enrolled or Registered Nurses wishing to enter the field of cosmetic medicine. This government-accredited course is completed online over one semester full-time or two semesters part-time. Practical competencies in dermal therapies and injectables procedures are completed on-campus in Perth, Sydney, Melbourne and the Gold Coast. For Further information, please contact the Australasian Academy of Cosmetic Dermal Science on 08 9382 4788 or visit www.aacds.edu.au
Don’t learn postgrad nursing from the book. Learn from the people who wrote it.
Glenn Gardner, Foundation Chair of Clinical Nursing, Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital and Patsy Yates, Director, Centre for Palliative Care Research and Education.
At QUT, you’ll be taught by some of the most respected and influential policy shapers in Australian nursing today. People like Professors Glenn Gardner and Patsy Yates. With an illustrious history of published research and leading roles in health policy groups, their focus is always determinedly about better outcomes for patients. If you’re just as passionate about patient care as you are about health reform and you’d like to take your career to the next level by making a real difference to patients’ lives, consider postgrad study at QUT. To find out more and to register for QUT’s online Postgraduate Options Evening on Tuesday, 9 October 2012 please visit www.qut.edu.au/postgrad-nursing.
HLT-12-1103 CRICOS no. 00213J
Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 18 | Page 21
Nursing organisation targets low health literacy by Karen Keast equipped with the ability to understand the basic health information and services needed to make their health decisions. “I think it’s imperative that we address the issue,” she said. “In any day, RDNS nurses are moving from culture to culture and every home brings its different challenges and expectations and limitations to their role.” Ms Michael said RDNS nurses are trained to work with cultural diversity while the organisation has also launched a Greek Diabetes Talking Book on its website, with Italian and Macedonian versions to be launched within weeks.
The Royal District Nursing Service is working to address the issue of low health literacy with the launch of three online talking books. The iconic Victorian health service has clients from more than 150 countries, who speak a total of 120 languages, and is taking a modern approach to cultural diversity. In 2006, 59 per cent of Australian adults were identified as having low health literacy levels. A new report from the Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria, titled An Investment Not an Expense: Enhancing Health Literacy in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities, highlights the extent of the problem. RDNS national diversity policy adviser Jaklina Michael said with a clear link between health literacy and people’s wellbeing the organisation was working to lead the way in improving communication standards. Ms Michael said people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities need to be Page 22 | www.ncah.com.au
“We have identified these community population groups that have a high prevalence of diabetes and or have very little information, or information is not appropriate for the population group,” she said. “Other groups we have identified are the Maltese, Arabic speaking populations and the Vietnamese and Croatians. “Most people like to learn through listening and watching, not through reading or writing. “The internet can help address literacy and health challenges in a new way by offering new forms of learning, such as the Diabetes Talking Book.” Ms Michael said RDNS nurses are able to access the talking book on their tablet technology as they visit clients while the organisation has also introduced simple visually-based translator medicine reminder cards. She said Australia faced an ageing population and it was vital for older Australians to not only understand health information but to also be able to use it to either maintain their health or self-manage their illness.
Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 18 | Page 23
Dietitian targets children’s high salt intake by Karen Keast
Australian children are overdosing on salt and internationally-recognised salt targets should be applied to the nation’s food standards in a bid to curb high intake levels, according to a dietetic expert. Deakin University Professor Caryl Nowson studied a sample of 238 children aged 5 to 13 and found seven in 10 exceeded the recommended salt intake. The research, which was presented to the 16th International Congress of Dietetics (ICD2012) recently in Sydney, shows children are eating around six grams of salt a day, which is about a full level teaspoon - four times more salt than they need. Professor Nowson, an Accredited Practising Dietitian, said high salt intake increases blood pressure, which is linked to serious conditions like heart disease and stroke, while it also fuels thirst and drives children towards calorie-rich sugary drinks, which puts children at risk of obesity. Professor Nowson, from Deakin’s School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, said Australia falls short on sodium targets compared to international standards. “Sodium targets have been established in Australia for only six food categories so far,” she said. “This falls short of other countries, such as the United Kingdom, America and Canada, where Page 24 | www.ncah.com.au
targets have been set for more than 80 food types.” Professor Nowson said daily salt intake in children could be cut up to 20 per cent under more stringent targets. “Bringing in clear limits on the amount of salt that is acceptable in manufactured foods would be a step towards a healthier generation of Australians,” she said. More than 2000 of the world’s leading dietitians, nutritionists and nutrition science researchers spanning 60 countries attended the September 5-8 congress, which was hosted by the Dietitians Association of Australia. Dietitians hope the event will shine the spotlight on diet-related chronic diseases, with a recent Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report estimating poor diet is costing Australia about $5 billion a year. DAA president Julie Dundon said federal, state and territory governments must make nutrition a priority. “Many diseases could be slashed if Australians ate more vegetables, fruit and wholegrain cereals, and fewer foods high in kilojoules, saturated fat, salt and added sugar,” she said. For more information visit www.icd2012.com, www.facebook.com/icd2012 or via Twitter @ icd2012.
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YOU ASK AND WE ANSWER. INSTANTLY. Whether you’ve applied for one of our Nursing roles or are considering joining the Australian Defence Force (ADF), we thought you’d be interested in our upcoming live interactive broadcast. This is your chance to ask and gain first hand information from current officers in the field about their job, life in the ADF and more.
REGISTER TODAY The broadcast will commence on Thursday 30 August 2012 at 6:30pm AEST. In order for you to participate, you will need to register prior to the event at broadcasts.defencejobs.gov.au
MEET THE SPEAKER Meet Major Paul Krohn, the Senior Nursing Officer and the Nurse Unit Manager of the field-deployable Emergency Department. Hear how life in the Army has given Paul the opportunity to further his training and NURSING OFFICER has allowed him to put his skills to good use, both here and overseas. PAUL KROHN
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Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 18 | Page 25
New teaching centres to lift aged care training by Karen Keast
The Federal Government will fund 16 new integrated aged care teaching centres focused on nursing and allied health disciplines. Minister for Ageing Mark Butler has announced $8.25 million to create the new learning environments, similar to teaching hospitals, which will cover areas ranging from nursing to psychology, medicine, physiotherapy and occupational therapy.
“We are witnessing an increasing number of highly-qualified nurses leaving the sector and new funding arrangements like TRACS are a positive initiative for the aged care workforce,” ANF federal secretary Lee Thomas said. The funding will create new teaching centres for South Australia’s Aged Care and Housing Group, Resthaven Incorporated, the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia.
The Teaching and Research Aged Care Services (TRACS) initiative is aimed at combining teaching, research, care provision and service delivery in the one location as the government works to tackle the shortage of nurses in the aged care sector.
In Victoria, recipients include the Brotherhood of St Laurence, Deakin University and St Johns Village while in Queensland funding will go to Griffith University, the Queensland University of Technology and the University of Southern Queensland.
Mr Butler said the government expects more than 1 in 20 working Australians will be an aged care worker by 2050.
New South Wales’ recipients include HammondCare, RSL LifeCare Limited, Southern NSW Local Health District, the University of Wollongong, University of Canberra, while in Tasmania a new teaching centre will be created at the University of Tasmania.
“We want to provide graduates studying aged care with opportunities to learn in an environment that brings together research, training and realworld practical scenarios,” he said. The Australian Nursing Federation has applauded the move which it says will help stem the looming shortage of 20,000 nurses in the nation’s aged care sector. Page 26 | www.ncah.com.au
The government will also provide $6 million to eight organisations to lift residential and community aged care through education, training and leadership.
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Victoria’s neonatal ICUs in nursing crisis by Karen Keast Melbourne’s neonatal intensive care units are experiencing drastic nursing shortages due to a shortfall in government funding, according to the Australian Nursing Federation (ANF). Neonatal units at four hospitals, including the Royal Children’s and the Royal Women’s, are regularly forced to turn away new patients, resulting in some sick babies being flown interstate for treatment. ANF acting Victorian secretary, Paul Gilbert, said the skills shortage in Victoria could be linked to the new funding regime introduced by the current State Government. “There’s an obvious need for more neonatal intensive care nurses. However there’s no shortage of suitable candidates; the majority of the nurses at the Royal Children’s and Royal women’s are aged around 26 to 28 and they’re education hungry. The key problem is that the funding isn’t there for paid study leave and the fees for the study itself.” “The number of cots is reducing and the birth rate is increasing, as well as the fact that the number of babies that can be assisted by
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being admitted to an ICU is on the rise. You don’t need to be a mathematician to see the problem,” he added. More awareness was also required over the long term of the time needed to “grow” neonatal intensive care nurses. “Take three years for a degree followed by a period of experience working, then two years for a graduate diploma and some consolidation and the whole cycle is around six years,” he said, adding that the Government’s funding arrangements should reflect this. “In addition, the way the Department of Health has structured funding arrangements isn’t very workable. The result is that Alison McMillan, Victoria’s chief nurse and midwifery officer, is aware of and supposedly responsible for the shortfall, but doesn’t have the budget to address it.” It is understood there are more than 40 beds that could be made available immediately if additional funding was provided by the Baillieu Government.
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W: www.ahnr.com.au E: ahnr@ahnr.com.au T: 1300 981 509 Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 18 | Page 29
Nurses – are you coming to America? by Karen Keast such as with international authority CGFNS, to ensure their education meets U.S. standards. Ms Hamilton said Australian nurses are generally deficient in the areas of maternity, paediatrics and psychiatry based on U.S. standards but it can ultimately come down to the specific tertiary institution where nurses have studied. “The reasons for the shortfalls are not clear and have not been confirmed but it likely is tied to a lack of clinical placements and faculty in universities and training facilities,” she said. “Nurses applying to work in the U.S. usually need to take additional courses to make these up and meet our country’s standards, and must also show that they have both theory and clinical experience at an undergraduate level in each of the deficient areas.” Ms Hamilton said nurses needing to take extra courses could take supplementary courses at either Deakin University in Melbourne or Otago University in New Zealand.
Nurses wanting to work in the United States often hit a brick wall of stringent standards but it is possible for Australian and New Zealand nurses to secure work in the land of opportunity. Experts are forecasting a major nurse shortage amid estimates an extra 1.2 million nurses will be needed in the U.S. before 2020, but foreign nurses are finding it increasingly difficult to gain entry into the States.
“Registered nurses who have completed additional training, such as a midwifery program, or were enrolled nurses prior to applying for employment in the U.S. should provide these transcripts, as they may assist in proving adequacy for employment in the U.S. system,” she added. Ms Hamilton said it can be more difficult to gain entry into some U.S. states, such as California, than others.
Nursing education in Australia does not meet standards equivalent to the U.S., particularly in the areas of maternity, paediatrics and psychiatry.
“The California Board of Nursing requires a social security number to even apply for a licence, and this number cannot be applied for until an applicant is already in the U.S. on a work-related visa,” she said.
U.S.-based international recruitment agency Avant Healthcare Professionals operations senior vice president Lesley Hamilton said international nurses must go through a credentialing process,
“California also has stricter policies on accepting the overseas make-up courses that typically help a nurse gain entry into the U.S., so the individual
Page 30 | www.ncah.com.au
OUR CMYK (typeset) must complete these courses through U.S.based programs in order to meet the state’s requirements.” While Australian nurses’ clinical skills are wellaccepted in the U.S., the biggest hurdle for foreign nurses is often in meeting initial licensure requirements, Ms Hamilton said. She advised nurses wanting to gain employment in the U.S. to work with an agency. “We can guide the nurse through the steps from beginning to end, ensuring that he or she saves time and money,” she said. “We also advise that nurses take the initiative to check their training hours before spending money to apply for credentialing or a nursing board – if an individual needs clarification on or has trouble obtaining his or her hours, Avant can assist with locating and completing the necessary documentation. “Avant also offers an excellent NCLEX review
program that has an 85 to 90 per cent first-time pass rate.” Despite the stumbling blocks, Ms Hamilton said there are major advantages for nurses wanting to work in the States, with Australian citizens able to apply for non-immigrant visas that provide spouses with working status in the States. “A job confirmation letter is required to obtain it, as well as a few additional requirements. Avant can provide this type of visa sponsorship to qualified applicants,” she said. Ms Hamilton said the U.S. is poised for a severe nurse shortage between now and 2020. “Currently, this shortage is veiled by the recession forcing nurses back into clinical settings, delaying retirement and deterring career changes,” she said. “However, as this begins to change, we will need foreign nurses more than ever to compensate for the shortage.”
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Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 18 | Page 31
Rural health Senate Inquiry good news for nurses and allied health
The National Rural Health Alliance has welcomed recommendations from the Senate Inquiry on rural health that recognise the role of nurses and allied health professionals in country Australia.
Gregory also welcomed recommendations in the report that focused on the importance of harnessing up to date data on demand for nurses and allied health workers in rural areas.
Released on 22 August, the report - ‘The factors affecting the supply of health services and medical professionals in rural areas’ - included 18 recommendations. Key among these was that the HECS reimbursement scheme be extended to nurses and allied health professionals who relocate to rural areas.
“This will give us all a much better grip on where the shortages really are, which in turn can underpin concrete, sustainable measures to address those shortages.”
Gordon Gregory, executive director of the National Rural Health Alliance, described the extension of the HECS scheme as “the most tangible benefit in the report affecting nurses and allied health workers.” This signified an important shift in thinking in regard to ensuring the full spectrum of health offerings was available in rural areas, he added. “A less immediately tangible but nonetheless highly significant benefit is that the report as a whole recognises an equivalence between all health professionals, notwithstanding the fact that rural incentive schemes for doctors have been in place for many years.” Page 32 | www.ncah.com.au
One such recommendation was that “the classification systems currently used for workforce incentives purposes be replaced with a scheme that takes account of regularly updated geographical, population, workforce, professional and social data to classify areas where recruitment and retention incentives are required.” The report also recommended that the post of a Rural and Regional Allied Health Adviser should be established within the Government’s Rural and Regional Health Australia department, to coordinate and advise on allied health service provision in rural and regional Australia. As part of the Department of Health and Ageing, Rural and Regional Health Australia should also play a role in using updated research to assess current gaps in knowledge, it recommended.
Mental health nurses exiting watershed program by Karen Keast Disheartened mental health nurses are leaving the Mental Health Nurse Incentive Program (MHNIP). Australian College of Mental Health Nurses CEO Kim Ryan said Federal Government funding for the program had been frozen at 2011-2012 levels despite a surge in demand. “I know a number of nurses who have left the program and nurses say to me that we will have to leave the program,” Ms Ryan said. “Nurses are leaving the program because they can’t make an income. The sessions they have been allowed are between 17 to 25 per cent less than the previous year. “They are very distressed about their job security and about their patients; people are having to choose which patients they can see and which they can’t.”
provision of coordinated clinical care for people with severe mental health disorders. Under the program, mental health nurses join forces with psychiatrists and GPs to provide services such as monitoring a patient’s mental state, medication management and improving links to other health professionals and clinical service providers at little or no cost to the patient. In this year’s Federal Budget, the government outlined $16.5 million in extra funding for the program but the College said the funds are not enough to meet demand, and the funding cap is forcing practitioners to cut back their services to patients who often can’t afford to visit a psychiatrist. For the full article visit NCAH.com.au
Ms Ryan said mental health nurses often go the extra mile to help their vulnerable patients and the government’s stance was upsetting nurses. “People with mental illness are struggling every day with voices or anxiety or serious depression and when you are working with someone who is struggling so hard, you can’t let them down,” she said. “In some cases, nurses are seeing patients and they are not getting paid, there are nurses who are working with homeless patients and they don’t get paid. “They know they can provide a good service and they know they can help that person have a better quality of life.” Launched in 2007, the MHNIP funds community-based general practices, private psychiatric practices and other organisations to engage mental health nurses to assist in the Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 18 | Page 33
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