Ncah issue 19 2014 by Seabreeze Communications

Issue 19 29/09/14 fortnightly

Mental Health Feature Former nurse applauds clinical trials of medical cannabis Nurses call on government to boost Ebola response Psychologists concerned at growing income inequality Mature nursing student heads to Laos

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The UK Government has announced new restrictions from next April on civil servants (NHS, Police etc.) being able to transfer their pensions to Australia. This may also be expanded to the private sector. It is now still possible to transfer for more detail contact UKPTA CALL US TODAY ON (08) 9309 4001 info@ukpensionsaustralia.com.au www.ncah.com.au

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Expand your professional skills and knowledge with the exciting concept of Education at Sea. For full conference information and details please visit www.educationatsea.com.au Mothers, Babies and the Health Care Professional "Child Health Nurses and Midwives - Where do we fit in" South Pacific Cruise: Nov 8th - 15th 2014 Midwives On Board! 2015 Contemporary Issues In Maternity Care South Pacific Cruise: Feb 8th - 18th 2015 Dual Diagnosis: the complexity and importance of care Thailand & Vietnam Cruise: Feb 11th - 18th 2015 Diabetes and Nutrition within the Ageing Population: Personalising your approach to Prevention, Treatment and Care South Pacific Cruise: Mar 14th - 22nd 2015 The Australian College of Emergency Nursing: TNCC Trauma Nursing Core Course Seventh Edition South Pacific Cruise: Mar 14th - 22nd 2015 Perioperative Nursing South Pacific Cruise: June 8th - 18th 2015 Nurses for Nurses Network 2015 Annual Conference Western Caribbean Cruise: July 12th - 19th 2015 The 12 - Hour Standard Mental Health First Aid Course South Pacific Cruise: Sept 27th â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Oct 4th 2015 For conference information and bookings please visit www.educationatsea.com.au Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 19 | Page 3

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www.ncah.com.au www.ncah.com.au Issue 19 26January August 2013 Issue 29 September 2014 117– –20 2014 Issue 17 – 26 August 2013

We hope you enjoy perusing the range of opportunities We hope you enjoy perusing included in Issue 17, 2013. the range of opportunities 19,2014. 2014. 1, included in Issue 17, 2013. If you are interested in pursuing any of these opportunities, Ifplease you are interested in pursuing any ofvia these contact the advertiser directly the opportunities, contact details please contact the advertiser directly via the details provided. If you have any queries about ourcontact publication or provided. If you any queries about ourplease publication if you would likehave to receive our publication, emailor us ifatyou would like to receive our publication, please email us careers@ncah.com.au at careers@ncah.com.au

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The NCAH Magazine is the most widely distributed national The NCAH is the most widely distributed national nursing andMagazine allied health publication in Australia nursing and allied health publication in Australia For all advertising and production enquiries please contact For all advertising and8700, production us on +61 (0) 3 9271 email enquiries please contact us on +61 (0)306 3 9271 email 1300 5828700, careers@ncah.com.au or visit www.ncah.com.au careers@ncah.com.au or visit www.ncah.com.au If you would like to change your mailing address, Iforyou likeon toour change your mailing address, be would included distribution, please email or be included on our distribution, please email careers@ncah.com.au careers@ncah.com.au Published by Seabreeze Communications Pty Ltd Trading as NCAH. Published by 328 Seabreeze ABN 29 071 053. Communications Pty Ltd Trading as NCAH. ABN 29 071 328 053. © 2013 Seabreeze Communications Pty Ltd. 2014 Seabreeze Communications Pty Ltd. © 2013 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied or All rights reserved. part of this publication may bepermission copied or of reproduced by anyNo means without the prior written reproduced byCompliance any means without prior written permission the publisher. with thethe Trade Practices Act 1974 ofof the publisher. Compliance thepublication Trade Practices Act 1974 of of advertisements containedwith in this is the responsibility advertisements contained in this publication is the responsibility of those who submit the advertisement for publication. those who submit the advertisement for publication.

Advertiser List Advertiser List Advertiser List Advertiser List AHN Recruitment Care Australian College of Mental Health Nurses AHNFlight Recruitment Ausmed CCM Recruitment International CCM Recruitment International Ausmed Austra Health CQ Nurse Education Cruise at Sea Austra Health Australian College of Nursing Education Cruises Kate Cowhig International Healthcare Australian College of Nursing Employment Office International Australian Volunteers Learn PRN Australian Volunteers International Geneva Health CCM Recruitment International Lifescreen CCM Recruitment International Griffith University CQ Nurse Medacs Australia CQ Nurse Health and Recruitment CRANAplus NSW Health -Fitness Murrumbidgee LHD CRANAplus Koala Nursing Agency Employment ce Nurse at Call Offi Employment Office Lifescreen Oceania eNurseUniversity of Medicine eNurse Australia Medacs Oxford Aunts Care Kate Cowhig International Kate Cowhig International Medibank Health Queensland Health Solutions Medacs Australia Medacs Australia Northern Local Health District Quick and Sydney Easy Finance No Roads to Health No Roads Health Nursing andto Allied Health Rural Locum Royal Flying Doctor Service NSW Health - Illawarra Shoalhaven Scheme NSW Health Illawarra Shoalhaven Silver Chain Oceania University of Medicine Oceania University Oceania University of of Medicine Medicine Smart Salary Oxford Aunts Care Oxford Aunts Care Oxford Aunts Care UK Pension Transfer Pulse Staffing Pulse PulseStaffing Staffing Group Unified Healthcare Queensland Health Quick andofEasy Finance University New England Queensland Health Quick and Easy Finance TR7 Health University of Easy Technology Sydney Quick and Finance Royal Flying Doctor Service UK Pensions Royal Flying Doctor Service TR7 Health Unified Healthcare Group TR7 Health UK Wimmera Healthcare Group UKPensions Pension Transfers UK Pension Transfers Unified Healthcare Group Unified Healthcare Group

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Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 19 | Page 5

Former nurse applauds clinical trials of medical cannabis By Karen Keast

t’s the announcement retired nurse Lucy Haslam and her family has been waiting to hear. The New South Wales government has announced plans to establish a clinical trial of medical cannabis for patients suffering from a range of debilitating or terminal illnesses. Premier Mike Baird announced the clinical trial in parliament and said police will be able to continue to use their discretion to not charge terminally ill adults using cannabis - which will be formalised in new guidelines. Lucy, who has waged a public campaign to legalise medical cannabis, labelled the announcement “exciting”. “It’s a very good outcome to have the government come on board and finally they are going to start treating this a bit seriously, getting behind it - it’s just been such a long time coming,” she said. “Mike Baird is such an amazingly unaffected politician, he’s a really decent human-being and now that he wants to drive it, I think it’s in good hands. “I think they are going to take their time and get it right but not too much time, they’ve given themselves until the end of the year as the deadline to have things sorted out, so that’s pretty good.

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“We have had lots of obstacles thrown up in our way and finally I feel like they’ve all settled down and I think Mike Baird is truly going to make this happen.” Lucy and her husband, a former drug squad police officer, have been fighting to decriminalise the medical use of cannabis after their son Daniel, 24, began using cannabis to overcome nausea, vomiting and poor appetite as a result of the chemotherapy used to treat his terminal bowel cancer. The Tamworth family launched an online campaign to decriminalise medical cannabis, which has received more than 196,000 signatures of support. The Victorian government is also removing legislative barriers to clinical trials of medial cannabis, while Western Australia has called for a national approach to trials. Lucy said it’s vital to have a national approach to legalising medical cannabis. “We have got to drive this nationally now, it’s silly to have people being disadvantaged by where they live,” she said. “I just want to make sure that they get this right - they’re still talking about quantities that aren’t really going to cater for people who are treating cancer with cannabis. “They have got to get that right and then ultimately to drive it around the country.” The NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) Council has supported the Haslam family’s fight. Medical cannabis is legal and regulated in the United States, Canada and several European countries where it’s used to alleviate symptoms for Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Crohn’s Disease, and other chronic pain and post traumatic stress disorders.

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The Quiet Leader Pharmacy and the trial Graduate- Workingmoves Together into Towards the “Ah-ha!” Moment second phase By Jessica Brown

Psychologist or There are many people involved with the Social Worker transition from university student to health proor Occupational Therapist fessional, and it is at this time of the year that (Mentalmentors, Healtheducators Clinician) preceptors, and managers

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reflect on the achievements and areas for imCommunity Forensic Mental Health provement for their graduate programs. This artiService, Mental Health Service Group, cle will focus on the new area of neuroleadership Townsville Hospital and Health Service, and how it can complement, or perhaps change, Townsville. our current strategies for working with new gradRemuneration up to $97 668 p.a., uates in the healthvalue professions. comprising salary between $58 242Knowles’ We have been aware of Malcolm $85 602 p.a., employer contribution model of adult learning, defined as andragogy, to superannuation to 12.75%) and the since the 1970s. This(up involves respecting annual leave loading (17.5%) (HP3). past experience of the learner and focusing on practical, learning. In my experiDuties problem-based / Abilities: Provide specialist ence however, it has been a challenge services in the areas of forensic to harness theand internal motivation self-direction mental health and assessment, risk of adult learners. I have hypothesised that this may be assessment, intervention, training and related to learning burnout after a long period of education, supervision and study at university or perhaps to the overwhelmresearch, as a member of the ing nature of starting full-time work (shift work multidisciplinary Community Forensic for some) combined with all of the responsibilMental Health team. ity and accountability associated with being a Enquires: Karl Jacks (07) 4433 health professional. However I have8166 come to believe that we, as experienced professionals, can Job Ad Reference: TV143670 sometimes create barriers to the flow of learning Kit: andApplication development. www.health.qld.gov.au/workforus The role of the preceptor/ mentor/ buddy (07)graduate 4750 6776. andorthe has changed over time. The apprenticeship model required a doctor or nurse Closing Date: Monday, to follow, watch and learn 29 September 2014 from their teacher. The learner provided cheap labour for the privilege of (applications will remain having a teacher to observe. With changes to current for 12 months). patient acuity and technology came changes to thehealth way we educate. • care • peopleIn many areas, certainly in nursing, we have dedicated educators that focus

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More than 200 pharmacies are now delivering whooping cough and measles vaccines on facilitating educational experiences, assessacross Queensland. ing competence and making sure that new gradThe Queensland Pharmacist Immunisation uates know what we perceive they need to know. Project (QPIP) moved into phase two on SepIt is a teacher-led system and the result of this is tember 1 after the first phase, where pharmacists the diminishing ability for adult learners to assert at 80 community pharmacies administered more their internal motivations and self-direction. than 10,000 influenza vaccinations, was labelled So how do we strike a balance between ena success. suring competency and allowing for the natural Results from phase one, which began on drive for knowledge of intelligent graduate health April 1, show 96 per cent of people vaccinated professionals? were ‘completely satisfied’ with the pharmacistDevelopments in neuroscience allow us to delivered vaccination service and 97 per cent understand the complexity of how the brain rewould return to a pharmacy for future vaccinasponds to new information. Each and every extions. perience results in a ‘mental map’. You have a Meanwhile, 14 per cent had never previously map to remember how to drive to work, another received a vaccination while 38 per cent had to remind you how to put on your socks. There been vaccinated but not every year. are maps upon maps upon maps. When the The project is an initiative of the Pharmaceubrain encounters a new experience it will attempt tical Society of Australia (PSA) and the Pharmacy to match that experience to a pre-existing map. Guild. If a match cannot be made, a new map will be The expansion of the vaccine trial, run in conrequired, which is time, energy and concentration junction with Queensland University of Technolintensive. ogy (QUT) and James Cook University, will form brainofisthe constantly tryingnew to strategy automateto just“The one part government’s processes, thereby dispelling them from boost immunisation rates across the state. consciousness; in this aims way, its willmost be completThe strategy to work protect Queensed faster,while morealso effectively at a lower metalanders workingand to protect those peobolic level. Consciousness, ple unable to be vaccinated.on the other hand, is slow, The subject to error and “expensive”.”Gerhard government recently began publishing Roth from Quiet by Davidfor Rock data(2004) on current ratesLeadership of immunisation the (2006) state’s regions on its health performance website addtotoshowcase this complexity, each brain is wired in aTobid immunisation rates alonginside a unique way. Preceptors often have emergency department and elective trouble surgery relating to the requirements of conscious map wait times. making. I like to use the analogy of a ballerina and a toddler to demonstrate this theory. the full article visitlooks NCAH.com.au TheFor experienced ballerina effortless

406-010 405-013 1PG FULL COLOUR CMYK PDF 404-011 402-036 323-022 1PG FULL COLOUR CMYK PDF 401-003 321-014 1320-006 1PG FULL COLOUR CMYK PDF (RPT) 407-013 324-020 322-035 403-015 419-006 417-007 409-012 412-005 415-007 413-010 411-011 414-005 408-007 418-004 416-004 and graceful while performing her skills. The mental maps have become hardwired by chemical and physical links between neurons. The brain of the ballet dancer has become efficient and can focus on higher level thinking about the finer details such as hand placement and facial expression. The toddler, on the other hand, is a novice. The number of mental maps required to perfect the skills of standing, walking or coordinating muscles to do the hokey-pokey is enormous. It is taxing and it is all the toddler can focus on. It is not surprising that the experienced health professional can unintentionally disregard the effort required by the novice to learn what appears to be the most basic of tasks, especially those practical skills that they have had minimal time to practice given the relative lack of clinical exposure in the current university model. Health professionals are taught to think critically and to be accountable for their actions. The role of those involved with facilitating new graduate learning is to do so in a way that enables graduates to make their own connections and mental maps. We know that the didactic approach does not work for adults thanks to the theory of andragogy, but now we understand why. The experience that fits with an existing mental map of one person may not fit the existing mental map of another. In the same way as we cannot teach a child to walk – we can only provide encouragement and support to increase their confidence – we need to assist graduates to process ideas effectively, clarify those ideas, to establish relationships between concepts and to prioritise their thoughts. While this sounds abstract it can be as simple as adapting the way we question them. Changing the old, ingrained mental maps is near impossible. A focus on creating new maps by being solution-focused can enhance learning: Teacher: “Why didn’t you manage to complete your workload this morning? What went wrong?”

Grad: “I was too busy to make a plan or look through my charts so I was behind from the beginning of my shift…” In most cases the graduate in this situation will already feel dejected about the shift. The questioning focus is on the negative which further decreases the ability of the graduate to feel energised about trying again. An alternative, solution-focused approach could be: Teacher: “What do you need to do next time to make sure you are able to meet the requirements of your workload? Grad: “I really do need to take the time to make a plan and look through my charts so I know when to ask for assistance.” The graduate, being an adult, has already assessed what went wrong. The focus of this style of questioning is on planning for future attempts. In his article titled SCARF: A brain based model for collaborating with and influencing others (2008), David Rock asserts that the following five domains of human social experience elicit an approach/avoid response dependent upon whether it is perceived to be a reward or a threat: • Status • Certainty • Autonomy • Relatedness • Fairness He states that a person feeling threatened in any of the five domains will have a reduced capacity for complex problem solving. This can negatively impact the ability to utilise the brainpower required to create mental maps. In contrast, providing fairness and certainty, appreciating the past experience of the graduate and allowing them the time required to make their own cognitive connections leads to improved learning cultures and fosters motivation and selfdirection.

For the full article visit NCAH.com.au Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 19 | Page 9

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Danielle Le Fevre Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 19 | Page 11

Tribute to Kim Hunt By Ken Hampson, Acting Director Operations, Murrumbidgee Local Health District

he tragic events in Lockhart in early September will remain with many of us for a very long time. A family tragedy shocked families, a local community and indeed our community of Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD). Two years ago while working as a Registered Nurse in the Intensive Care/Coronary Care Unit and Emergency Departmentat Wagga Wagga Health Service, Kim had a serious car accident and was flown to Canberra. Her condition was critical and many thought she had small chance of survival. She suffered serious lifethreatening injuries, including a significant head injury. Kim fought on with tenacity, the love of her family, friends and colleagues, and obviously high quality medical care, and was back at work this year. She had recently been appointed Clinical Nurse Educator at LockhartMulti-Purpose Service (MPS). The morning after we heard about the tragedy, I travelled to Lockhart with the MLHD Executive Director of Nursing & Midwifery, Karen Cairney, to be with the staff and see if any resources were needed to support the grief-stricken team. The NSW Chief Nurse and Midwifery Officer, Susan Pearce, made contact with the District and also contacted the Lockhart Health Service Manager,Karen McPherson,personally by phone to express her condolences. The tragedy unfolded during the week of the 2014 NSW Rural Health and Research Congress

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in Dubbo where Kim’s contribution to rural health was recognised. Kim was described as an inspirational clinical leader who left many valuable footprints throughout MLHD: ‘Kim was a bright light to rural nursing, a dynamo full of positive enthusiasm who was a passionate dedicated nurse and mother’. The staff at Lockhart MPS continued to provide health care services, which is testament to their dedication. The staff placed black silk ribbons on the balustrades and documented on a white board that Kim was a fantastic daughter, sister, mother, wife and nurse. I asked them to write down some thoughts which I share with you: • Delightfully honest and entertaining • Tenacious • Dedicated • The nursing profession has lost a truly professional nurse who was a well-educated nurse who never lost sight of her empathy, compassion and sense of humour • A great team player • Funny and caring person who always was there to help you if you needed it • Kim would always have a big beaming smile, loved to help anyone before herself. Sadly missed xxx • Kim welcomed everyone like she had known them all her life, made you feel at home around her, she always had a story to tell and could make you laugh multiple times in a day, but most of all

403-013 1/2PGFULL FULLCOL COL 407-008 404-007 405-011 402-013 414-002 419-003 416-002 418-002 401-039 409-008 408-00 1/2PG 410-003 412-002 413-005 411-006 415-004 417-004 she could laugh at herself no matter how good, bad or ugly • Kim would arm herself with lollies and red bull for night duty. Many a night shift we would talk about decorating, building houses, gardening and her love of cooking. Kim was the best mother, nurse, friend you could imagine. Just think of the PERFECT NURSE that was her. Sadly missed, never forgotten • Kim was inspirational and determined in all she did. As a nurse in her recovery from a devastating motor vehicle accident and as a mother, friend and mentor. As a Local Health District, we have responded to and are working with the community of Lockhart as the pain and grief will be palpable for some time to come. A memory of Kim vivid in my mind was at a recent workshop for clinicians in Wagga Wagga about patient-based care. Kim stood up as we were discussing how to do this better and from her experience reminded us to talk to patients, touch patients and be kind to patients. Those words stuck with me and many people on the day. The legacy of Kim’s words should be easy for us to translate into practice no matter who you are working with in health.

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Psychologists concerned at growing income inequality Psychologists are concerned at increasing levels of income inequality contributing to poorer mental health and well-being among disadvantaged Australians. The Australian Psychological Society (APS), the peak professional organisation for psychologists with more than 21,000 members, fears many measures outlined in this year’s federal budget risk widening rather than reducing income and other inequalities. In its recent submission to the Federal Government’s inquiry into income inequality in Australia, the APS states the growing gap will impact on vulnerable groups, ranging from young people to older Australians, women, the unemployed, single parents, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, migrants and refugees.

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The organisation has expressed concerns at budget measures comprising cuts to education funding, proposed welfare changes, moves to link the age pension to CPI rather than changes in wages, the introduction of the GP co-payment, and the $165 million cut to the Indigenous health budget. In its submission, co-author Heather Gridley states inequality exacerbates disadvantage which impacts on people’s mental health, physical health and well-being. “These groups are already vulnerable to living in poverty, and to psychological distress associated with these material living conditions,” the submission states.

For the full article visit NCAH.com.au

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Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 19 | Page 15

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Wagga Wagga Mental Health  Outstanding Career Opportunities

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About us: Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) is a leader in Health Care in NSW with over 3,500 employees located at 34 Health Sites. MLHD covers a vast area from the Snowy Mountains in the east to the plains of Hillston in the north west and all the way along the Victorian border. MLHD operates public hospitals and a broad range of health services to communities within its geographical area.

Murrumbidgee Local Health District has some exciting opportunities for Medical, Nursing and Allied Health professionals to staff our new acute and sub acute units in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales. For more information contact Craig Martin, MHDA Director of Nursing, craig.martin@gsahs.health.nsw.gov.au or (02) 5943 1711

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EARN SOME EXTRA $$$ Nursing and Midwifery Educators and Clinical Specialists NCAH is looking to hire expert nurses and midwives to write nurse practice related articles on a freelance basis. If you are an experienced Australian nurse educator or nurse specialist, and you are interested in writing to complement your income on a very flexible basis we would love to hear from you. Nursing and Midwifery experts are sought to write articles covering one or more clinical areas including but not limited to: • Accident & Emergency • Aged Care • Paediatric Nursing • Healthcare IT & Information • Midwifery & Neonatal nursing • Nurse Leadership and Management

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Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 19 | Page 19

Tribute Kim Hunt Mature to nursing student heads to By Ken Hampson, Acting Director Operations, Murrumbidgee Local Laos Health District

Elizabeth working a dental he tragic Eastwell events inwas Lockhart in as early Sepassistant but dreaming of a many careerofinus nursing. tember will remain with for a very 44-year-old Nursing long Now, time. the A family tragedyBachelor shocked of families, a student will realise herindeed dreamour of providing nurslocal community and community of ing care to children a developing Murrumbidgee LocalinHealth District country (MLHD).when she Two volunteers in Laos early next year. years ago while working The mother-of-three is one of 54 nursing as a Registered Nurse in the and midwifery students from Griffith University Intensive Care/Coronary preparing to venture to the south-east Care Unit and EmerAsian landlocked country with ingency Departmentat ternational volunteer program Wagga Wagga Health Antipodeans Abroad in Service, Kim had a January. serious car accident “The experience and was flown to will be invaluable,” Canberra. Her condishe said. tion was critical and “I think it will immany thought she had prove your skills as small chance of survival. a nurse because you She suffered serious lifehave to improvise in threatening injuries, includso many different ways ing significant head injury. to astill bring treatment Kim fought on with tenacity, the and options to clients, love of her family, friends colleagues, and obwithout all of the thingsand that viously high quality medical care, we have on hand in a normal clini- and was back at this year. had recently been appointcalwork situation hereShe in Australia.” ed Clinical Nurse Educator at LockhartMulti-PurThe three-week placement will include a visit pose Service (MPS). to a hospital at Luang Prabang before venturing The after we about the tragnorth of morning the city, where theheard nursing and midwifery

edy, I travelled to Lockhart with theand MLHD Execustudents will provide health care health protive Director of Nursing & Midwifery, Karen Cairmotion to remote communities. ney, “Every to be with seea ifdifferent any resources daythe westaff will and go to village were needed to supportclinics the grief-stricken team. and set up make-shift and assess people The NSW there, Chief and Nurse andalso Midwifery that come we will do someOfficer, educaSusan Pearce, Elizabeth made contact tion sessions,” said. with the District and “We also have contacted the that Lockhart Healthproblems, Service been told respiratory Manager,Karen by phone tuberculosis andMcPherson,personally possibly burns will be high on the agenda of medical issues within the places we will to express her condolences. visit.” The tragedy unfolded during the week of the saidHealth she’s excited at the opportunity 2014Elizabeth NSW Rural and Research Congress

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be ablewhere to provide assistance a deintoDubbo Kim’s nursing contribution to ruralinhealth veloping country.Kim was described as an inspiwas recognised. “A couple other who mature students that rational clinicalofleader leftage many valuable I’m friendsthroughout with, we are all going she footprints MLHD: ‘Kim together,” was a bright said.light to rural nursing, a dynamo full of posi“We aretive all on the samewho wavelength to enthusiasm was a as paswhy we want to go and the extra experience that sionate dedicated nurse and we’ll gain, and a deeper understanding of the mother’. provision of basic nursing care in difficult The staff at Lockhart circumstances.” MPS continued to proElizabeth, a second year vide health care servicstudent at Griffith’s Logan es, which is testament campus, said she always to their dedication. wanted to be a nurse The staff placed black but “fell into” dental silk ribbons on the assisting. balustrades and docAs her children umented on a white moved into their teenboard that Kim was a age years, Elizabeth fantastic daughter, sister, decided to pursue her mother, wife and nurse. I passion for nursing. asked them“One to write down some day I realised thoughts which I share with you: dental assisting wasn’t my • Delightfully honest and entertaining dream job and I knew I would • Tenacious regret not doing my nursing if any• Dedicated thing happened or if I got too old to do • it,The nursing profession has lost a truly professo I just took the leap,” she said. sionalElizabeth nurse who wasothers a well-educated nurse who urged considering a change never lost to sight ofdo herit”. empathy, compassion and in career “just sense of humour “Yes, it’s scary, and yes, it’s frightening to just • even A great team player apply but the benefits just far outweigh the • fear,” Funny sheand said.caring person who always was there“You to help if you do you cope andneeded you areit actually smarter • than Kim you would always big and beaming smile, believe thathave you a are, you will just loved to help anyone before herself. Sadly missed blossom beyond belief. xxx “I absolutely love it and it’s the best thing I’ve done.” • ever Kim welcomed everyone like she had known graduating, to around eventuthemAfter all her life, madeElizabeth you feel hopes at home ally she work in an had areaa where care her, always story toshe tell can and provide could make to mothers, babiestimes and children. you laugh multiple in a day, but most of all

419-027 418-017 1PG FULL COLOUR CMYK PDF she could laugh at herself no matter how good, bad or ugly • Kim would arm herself with lollies and red bull for night duty. Many a night shift we would talk about decorating, building houses, gardeningPERMANENT and her love of cooking. Kim wasJOBS the bestIN DUBLIN NURSING mother, nurse, friend you could St imagine. Juste P os itions Permane nt Fu ll time aff Nurs ICU, Cardiac ICU, Coronary care, ITU, think of the PERFECT NURSE that was her. Sadly IC U & T hea tre, Ga lway, Ireland High dependency. missed, forgotten Min 6 never –rements: 12 months experience Requi Interviews via skype at your convenience • Kim was inspirational and determined in all she Must have a minimum of 2 years experience in ICU or Theat res.

did. As a nurse in her recovery from a devastating About Galway Universityand Hospitals motor vehicle accident as a mother, friend About the Hospital: Galw ay Univers ity Ho s pitals (GU H), co mprisi ng of Universit y Hos pital G alway St James Hospital is a 950-Bed Academic Teaching and(UHG mentor. ) and Merlin P ark Univers ity H os pital (MPUH ), provide a c omprehens ive Hospital located in District, the heart of tive Dublin, the largest in the rang s ervic esHealth to emergenc y andwe elechave patients on an inpatient, AseaofLocal respondRepublic of day Ireland, Stis James’s hassites. developed its together outpatient and c are bas ac ros s the two UHG and MPUH ed to and are working with the community of reputation as a national centre of excellence employ approximately 3,000 whole time equivalent s taff. It for is a medical desi gnated Lockhart as thec entre, pain grief bearea palpable for of one million care, research and education. s upra regional sand erves a c atcwill hment in the region people from some time toDonegal come.to Tipperary Nor th. HS E - Wes t ac c ounts fo r alm os t one quarter of the Irishas and Ga lway a c c ounts r a quar ter ofof thisthe . The hospital thevivid regional unit and A memory ofh population Kim in myburns mind wasfo at ais one leading specialist cancer centres in Ireland. recent workshop fors pitals clinicians Wagga Wagga Ga lway Univers ity Ho also hasin s trong links with the N ational Univers ity Please visit: http://www.stjames.ie/ of Ireland, G alway, (NUIGcare. ) for theKim training of medica l, nuwe rs ing a nd oth er health about patient-based stood up as profes s ionals and is the s ite for extensive ac adem ic t raining and res earc h. were discussing how to do this better and from &a Benefits (Terms & Conditions apply) herSalary experience reminded us to talk to patients, Benefits re as follows: •• Basic annual commencing €27,211 touch patients be tocommencing patients.atatThose Salary: asand persalary HSEkind scale € 27,211 –– €€39,420 39,420 (depending on experience) per on years experience. words stuckannum with increases me and depending many people on ofthe •• Additional pay for working shifts & overtime Additional payKim’s for shift differentials. day. legacy of should be easy •• The 24Permanent, days annual pluswords 9pensionable public holidays full-time contracts. for •usProfessional to translate development into practice no matter andHolidays accesswho to further education • 24 days Annual Leave plus 9 Public . First month accommodation FREE! you•• are working with in health. Hours 39 per week. •• AnFour economy-class air ticket from point of hire and onward weeks FREE accommodation to initial accommodation. • transfers Assistance with accommodation – average rent per room €280pcm •• Return flight economy class on completion of the 2-year contract P rofessional development andticket educational opportunities. •• Full Orientation and Mentorship Program§Assistance with Opportunity to complete Higher Diploma in ICU and Theat res, fully Nursing the Irish Nursing board funded,registration with close linkswith to NUIG •

Opportunity to join the HSE Pension scheme.

Email CV to info@KCRJOBS.com • Within walking distance of the pictu today! resque City of Galway

. To view this article online • Within easy reach of Shannon, Knock and Dublin airports. and leave your own tribute to visit NCAH.com.au WhyKim, Galway City:International Kate Cowhig Healthcare Recruitment Known the wor ld o ver for i ts friendly people, fabulous beaches , 83 Merrion Square, Dublin 2, Ireland s afe c har ming s treet s , s hopp ing and nightlife, Galway will refres h 31 Southampton Row, London, UK WC1B 5HJ To goliketo tribute flagging s pirits no the other plac e. (Dublin) +353 1 671 5557 or (London) +44 207 833 8830 http://ww w.galwa y.net/tourism/visit/galway/ directly visit: For more information visit www.KCRJOBS.ie

http://tinyurl.com/p4attts Follow usus on Follow

e: info@kc r.ie t: +353 1671 5557

Kate C owhig International Healthcare Recruitment 49 St. Stephen’s G reen, Dublin 2, Ireland 31 Southampton Row, London,WC1B 5HJ , UK

www.K CRJOB S .com Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 19 | Page 21

Courageous young nurse honoured Katrina Coleman is triaging more than the nursing needs of some of New Zealand’s most disadvantaged families. From preventing power disconnection to linking isolated families and advocating to move families into better housing, the 27-year-old nurse often goes above and beyond her role as a Plunket nurse, assessing children’s growth and development, to improve health outcomes. “There’s a huge aspect of social work involved in it - possibly some of the nurses before me would have said ‘this isn’t my job’,” she said. “I truly believe I have a working relationship with the migrant families. I decided I was going to be ‘that’ person.” Katrina has been awarded the New Zealand Nurses Organisation’s (NZNO) inaugural Young Nurse of the Year Award for demonstrating a commitment and passion to nursing beyond the daily expectations of a nurse. Katrina works with families from Somalia, Ethiopia, India, China, the Middle East, and some Maori and Pacific Islanders in Newtown, one of Wellington’s migrant centres. Many families don’t speak English while some are illiterate, have no local connections and live in appalling conditions. Katrina works to connect families with services, resources and with one another. “I always knew when I started the role that it wasn’t just about building the relationship with families but with the broader community,” she said. “In some cases, I’m the only NZ-European person they know, or the only person that can link them into the system.” Earlier this year, Katrina worked with Plunket volunteers to launch a database to link women of the same culture, and after identifying a gap in the referral processes between services and

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Housing NZ, Katrina has worked with the organisation to prioritise housing for clients due to health and cultural reasons. Amid concerns vulnerable clients were having their power disconnected, Katrina also developed criteria for at-risk families to prevent their power being cut, which is now being used to prevent disconnection. The young nurse, who is also completing her Masters in Nursing, volunteers her time to assist Plunket volunteers in putting together free packages of essentials, such as woollen blankets, baby clothes and nutritional food, for high needs families. NZNO nursing policy adviser and researcher Dr Jill Clendon said Katrina was awarded the accolade, out of a field of 17 nominations, for her outstanding commitment to her community. “It was the project work she was doing on behalf of her community that went beyond her everyday work as a Plunket nurse that really stood out,” she said. “We were very excited by the calibre of nominations. It is clear there are some extremely able young nurses out there doing exemplary work every day.” Dr Clendon said the Young Nurse of the Year Award was the brain child of a group of nurses, aged under 30, who have been working with the organisation since 2012, following research into the needs of young nurses. “The group were tasked with identifying projects that they believed would meet the needs of their peers and enhance recruitment and retention within the sector,” she said. “I think that the fact this award has come about due to the work of a group of young nurses advocating for it to happen for their peers is also a very exciting aspect of the award.”

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Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 19 | Page 23

The Quiet Leader and the Graduate- Working Together Towards the “Ah-ha!” Moment By Jessica Brown There are many people involved with the transition from university student to health professional, and it is at this time of the year that preceptors, mentors, educators and managers reflect on the achievements and areas for improvement for their graduate programs. This article will focus on the new area of neuroleadership and how it can complement, or perhaps change, our current strategies for working with new graduates in the health professions. We have been aware of Malcolm Knowles’ model of adult learning, defined as andragogy, since the 1970s. This involves respecting the past experience of the learner and focusing on practical, problem-based learning. In my experience however, it has been a challenge to harness the internal motivation and self-direction of adult learners. I have hypothesised that this may be related to learning burnout after a long period of study at university or perhaps to the overwhelming nature of starting full-time work (shift work for some) combined with all of the responsibility and accountability associated with being a health professional. However I have come to believe that we, as experienced professionals, can sometimes create barriers to the flow of learning and development. The role of the preceptor/ mentor/ buddy and the graduate has changed over time. The apprenticeship model required a doctor or nurse to follow, watch and learn from their teacher. The learner provided cheap labour for the privilege of having a teacher to observe. With changes to patient acuity and technology came changes to the way we educate. In many areas, certainly in nursing, we have dedicated educators that focus

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on facilitating educational experiences, assessing competence and making sure that new graduates know what we perceive they need to know. It is a teacher-led system and the result of this is the diminishing ability for adult learners to assert their internal motivations and self-direction. So how do we strike a balance between ensuring competency and allowing for the natural drive for knowledge of intelligent graduate health professionals? Developments in neuroscience allow us to understand the complexity of how the brain responds to new information. Each and every experience results in a ‘mental map’. You have a map to remember how to drive to work, another to remind you how to put on your socks. There are maps upon maps upon maps. When the brain encounters a new experience it will attempt to match that experience to a pre-existing map. If a match cannot be made, a new map will be required, which is time, energy and concentration intensive. “The brain is constantly trying to automate processes, thereby dispelling them from consciousness; in this way, its work will be completed faster, more effectively and at a lower metabolic level. Consciousness, on the other hand, is slow, subject to error and “expensive”.”- Gerhard Roth (2004) from Quiet Leadership by David Rock (2006) To add to this complexity, each brain is wired in a unique way. Preceptors often have trouble relating to the requirements of conscious map making. I like to use the analogy of a ballerina and a toddler to demonstrate this theory. The experienced ballerina looks effortless

and graceful while performing her skills. The mental maps have become hardwired by chemical and physical links between neurons. The brain of the ballet dancer has become efficient and can focus on higher level thinking about the finer details such as hand placement and facial expression. The toddler, on the other hand, is a novice. The number of mental maps required to perfect the skills of standing, walking or coordinating muscles to do the hokey-pokey is enormous. It is taxing and it is all the toddler can focus on. It is not surprising that the experienced health professional can unintentionally disregard the effort required by the novice to learn what appears to be the most basic of tasks, especially those practical skills that they have had minimal time to practice given the relative lack of clinical exposure in the current university model. Health professionals are taught to think critically and to be accountable for their actions. The role of those involved with facilitating new graduate learning is to do so in a way that enables graduates to make their own connections and mental maps. We know that the didactic approach does not work for adults thanks to the theory of andragogy, but now we understand why. The experience that fits with an existing mental map of one person may not fit the existing mental map of another. In the same way as we cannot teach a child to walk – we can only provide encouragement and support to increase their confidence – we need to assist graduates to process ideas effectively, clarify those ideas, to establish relationships between concepts and to prioritise their thoughts. While this sounds abstract it can be as simple as adapting the way we question them. Changing the old, ingrained mental maps is near impossible. A focus on creating new maps by being solution-focused can enhance learning: Teacher: “Why didn’t you manage to complete your workload this morning? What went wrong?”

For the full article visit NCAH.com.au Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 19 | Page 25

Dietitian awarded for childhood obesity research A New South Wales dietitian has been recognised for her research into child obesity, dietary assessment and food addiction. Dr Tracy Burrows, an Advanced Accredited Practising Dietitian and University of Newcastle (UoN) researcher, recently received the top accolade in the Medicine and Medical Sciences category of the Scopus Young Researcher of the Year Awards. The fifth awards, part of an Elsevier global initiative to recognise outstanding young scientists and researchers in the Australasian region, this year applauded the achievements of 17 young scientists, at the Australasian Research Management Society’s (ARMS) 14th annual conference. “People don’t often associate dietetics with science,” Dr Burrows recently told UoN. “But nutrition is science, and I’m really happy it’s starting to get noticed as such.” The award is the latest achievement for the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) researcher from the University of Newcastle’s Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition. Earlier this year, Dr Burrows was shortlisted for the L’Oreal Women in Science Fellowship. Dr Burrows was a contributor of a team recognised with a 2014 award from the World Health Organisation (WHO) for excellence in obesity prevention and she was also acknowledged for her work in the Healthy Dads Healthy Kids com-

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munity-based campaign, rolled out at a number of schools in the state, which was credited with improving physical and mental health outcomes. Dr Burrows’ research has mainly focused on childhood obesity and her recent research, as part of an international collaboration of academics in psychology, biochemistry and medical radiation imaging fields, investigated food addiction and whether addiction to foods high in salt, fat and sugar could be contributing to the obesity epidemic. “If we can prove that food addiction is real, then we can also show cause for the behavioural components of obesity,” she stated. “It could be that treatments need to be reworked so they hit these targets as well as the more obvious diet and physical activity ones.” Dr Burrows has also studied the feasibility of targeting Hunter parents with heart disease in a bid to boost the heart health of their children. The senior lecturer and Dietitians Association of Australia member has been pivotal to the delivery of more than 50 healthy lifestyle intervention programs designed to improve people’s nutrition intake, ranging from Indigenous to low-income families. Professor Steven Allender, of Deakin University, was runner-up in the Medicine and Medical Sciences category of the Scopus awards while Dr James Fielding, of Australian National University, placed second runner-up.

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Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 19 | Page 27

Woman fined for pretending to be a registered nurse A Queensland woman has been fined $7000 for pretending to be a registered nurse and nurse practitioner for three years. Sherri Cather, 64, of Alexandra Hills pleaded guilty in the Brisbane Magistrates’ Court on September 18 to using titles such as nurse, registered nurse and nurse practitioner - all titles protected under the National Law. Cather’s false claim was uncovered when her employer searched for her registration on the public national register of health practitioners, in a bid to check the details of a certificate she had supplied. Pretending to be a registered health practitioner is an offence under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law. The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) prosecuted Cather after its own investigation revealed she supplied forged certificates to her current and previous employers, stating that she was a registered nurse. In a statement, AHPRA said Cather had also presented herself as being a nurse during her employment. But the organisation found Cather had never been registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, which was established under National Law. “Nor did she ever hold registration as a nurse in a state or territory of Australia under the nursing registration schemes that existed in each state and territory prior to the implementation of the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (the National Scheme) from 1 July 2010,” it states. “She (Cather) conceded in court that while she had completed some nursing training in New South Wales and Victoria, she has no formal qualifications. “The offences were brought under the National Law, which started on 1 July 2010.

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“But Ms Cather admitted that her conduct extended back to 1991 when she first pretended to be a registered nurse.” Cather was fined $7000 plus ordered to pay costs of more than $700. Dr Lynette Cusack, chair of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, said the case served as a warning to employers to check the registration of all nurses and midwives they employ on the public register. “Under the National Law, public safety is paramount and the Board won’t tolerate anyone pretending to be registered when they are not,” Dr Cusack stated. The public register, featured on the AHPRA website, lists the 619,000 health practitioners across Australia who are registered to practise within the scope of their registration.

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Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 19 | Page 29

Nurses call on government to boost Ebola response There’s growing calls for Australia to send a contingent of nurses, doctors and other health workers as part of a coordinated international response to the Ebola epidemic sweeping East Africa. As the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates at least 2630 people have died in the outbreak, which has spread throughout Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia and also reached Nigeria and Senegal, the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) has called on the government to provide more support to the international fight against the Ebola crisis. ANMF federal secretary Lee Thomas labelled the epidemic “a humanitarian crisis of epic proportions”. “As the disease continues to spread across countries throughout West Africa, we are greatly concerned that the lack of protective equipment means that nurses, doctors and other health care workers who are fighting on the frontline, are being exposed to this deadly disease,” she said in a statement. “In addition to financial assistance, we are calling on the government to take direct action by committing trained personnel to a coordinated international, emergency response. “This is what’s desperately needed to treat the victims of the disease, ensure the protection of health care workers on the ground and to stop the disease from spreading even further across West Africa.” The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has called on the government to urgently coordinate the recruitment and deployment of volunteer doctors and other health professionals to West Africa, and to provide ongoing support, including protective and medical equipment and supplies. Nurses and health professionals from Australia and New Zealand have been assisting on the

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Ebola frontline as part of the international Red Cross response. There are now four Australian Red Cross aid workers, including nurses and other health professionals, working in West Africa while several more Australian health professionals are expected to join the Ebola response in the coming days. Red Cross aid workers on the ground in West Africa wear full personal protection equipment (PPE) from overalls and goggles to two pairs of gloves and apron gumboots, and receive specialised training on arrival. The Federal Government has announced it will provide an extra $7 million to support the international response to the Ebola outbreak but at this stage has no plans to send Australian health workers to the region. Ms Thomas said large numbers of health care professionals with appropriate clinical skills are desperately needed to combat the disease. “The Australian government must ensure that our nurses and doctors on the ground in West Africa are provided with protective clothing and equipment to ensure their health and safety, and they must guarantee the safe evacuation of nurses and doctors from the region if needed,” she said. With health care workers reported to comprise about 10 per cent of the Ebola deaths, Ms Thomas urged Australian nurses wanting to provide assistance to be cautious. “It is admirable that Australian nurses are joining in the international fight against the Ebola crisis and we are urging them to ensure they make arrangements through reputable aid agencies,” she said. WHO figures show the deadly viral disease has infected at least 5357 people.

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