Issue 24 3/12/12 fortnightly
Nurse leaders Feature Nurse leaders look to the future Safe nurse staffing levels the key Nurses create list of bizarre ED complaints Call for impaired nurse program to go national
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www.ncah.com.au Issue 24 – 3 December 2012 We hope you enjoy perusing the range of opportunities included in Issue 24, 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.
Advertiser List AHN Recruitment Albury Wodonga Health Australian College of Nursing CCM Recruitment Central Queensland University CQ Nurse Criterion Conferences Deakin University Delmont Private Hospital eNurse Health Recruitment Specialists Institute of Health and Nursing Australia Koala Nursing Lifescreen Maari Ma Health Aboriginal Corporation NSW Health NZ- Waitemata District Health Board Oceania University of Medicine Oxford Aunts Care Patricia Whites Pulse Staffing Quick and Easy Finance Ramsay North Shore Private Hospital Regional Nursing Solutions Remote Area Health Corps Smart Salary Southern Cross University Unified Healthcare Group UnitingCare
Next Publication: New Year, New Career Publication Date: Monday 17th December 2012 Colour Artwork Deadline: Monday 10th December 2012 Mono Artwork Deadline: Wednesday 12th December 2012
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Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 24 | Page 5
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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
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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 24 | Page 7
Make the Most of caring in the Uk With its elite, high calibre clientele, Patricia White has been helping australian nurses and carers enjoy a truly memorable stay in Britain for over 20 years.
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Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 24 | Page 9
Nurses create list of bizarre ED complaints by Karen Keast There was the woman who turned up to the emergency department to complain that her husband wouldn’t have sex with her. Another arrived at ED wanting someone to change her baby’s nappy while someone else arrived via ambulance in the early hours of the morning complaining they couldn’t sleep. These are some of the more bizarre ED presentations at Brisbane’s Princess Alexandra Hospital. Nurses were so amazed at some of the strange complaints, seven years ago they created a list dubbed the ‘Not Happy Jan’ list, named after ED nurse manager Jan Gehrke. The list has now become a way for nurses at the hospital to share some of their more unusual stories and to enjoy some lighter
moments in what is often a stressful, life-saving environment. Cases include the woman who didn’t have enough money for a taxi so she called an ambulance, and then became abusive when it didn’t drive her home and instead transported her to hospital. There was also the man who presented to ED complaining of a paper cut on his tongue, and the person who wanted an injection or a pill that would help them eat vegetables. There was also an overseas student who was told everything that bites you in Australia will kill you, so when he received a mosquito bite he hurried into ED.
For the full article visit NCAH.com.au
Nurse Unit Manager – Maternity Services Wodonga Hospital Permanent Full Time In this position you will be leading and managing the Maternity Unit to achieving best practice outcomes for key stakeholders – patients, their families, doctors, staff, the hospital and broader Community. Albury Wodonga Health (AWH) was established on 1 July 2009 from the integration of the Wodonga Regional Health Service and Albury Base Hospital. Albury Wodonga combines a metropolitan lifestyle with the appeal of rural living. We are located on the picturesque Murray River and close to the wine regions of North East Victoria, making it a great place to live. Initial Enquiries: Julie Wright on (02) 6051 7645 Further details of this position and other positions; including position description, closing date, and to apply, go to www.awh.org.au/employment (link to Careers website via which all applications must be submitted).
“the best of health” Page 10 | www.ncah.com.au
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Psychologists urge mind preparation for disaster survival by Karen Keast One of the things we know in a disaster context is that mental preparation and preparedness to deal with the emotional stresses of a disaster are as important as the practical preparation. – Dr Susie Burke APS senior psychologist Psychologists are urging people to prepare not just their homes but their minds this summer. As Australia heads into another hot summer, the Australian Psychological Society has joined forces with the Red Cross to produce a Psychological Preparedness for Disasters guide to help people manage the emotional challenges of living through emergencies such as bushfires, heatwaves, floods, storms, cyclones and earthquakes. APS senior psychologist Dr Susie Burke said people who prepare their minds for a disaster not only cope better during a disaster but it also improves their post-disaster recovery. “One of the things we know in a disaster context is that mental preparation and preparedness to deal with the emotional stresses of a disaster are as important as the practical preparation,” she said. A psychologist for more than 20 years, Dr Burke said the guide features simple preparedness tasks designed to give people a sense of confidence and control during a disaster. She said the guide urges people to anticipate, identify and manage or ‘AIM’ how they and their family members are likely to feel, think and respond to challenging situations. Dr Burke said being psychologically prepared can help people feel more in control in an emergency, can result in them making better Page 12 | www.ncah.com.au
decisions and can limit the negative effects of living through the event. “The guide asks people to consider how they would think, feel and react if the air filled with thick black smoke, if the power went out, if a family member was missing, or if their home came under ember attack,” she said. “It is impossible to know exactly how you will react in such a scenario but by anticipating your emotional response you can limit the uncertainty which feeds fear and anxiety during a disaster.” Dr Burke said the guide also highlights “thinking traps” such as not taking practical preparation because “people don’t want to think about it” to developing indifference to ongoing disaster warnings and people taking “gambling hunches”. “This is another thinking trap which is thinking that because we had a bushfire come close to us a couple of years ago, it won’t be our turn again,” she said. Dr Burke said unhelpful thoughts, such as “I can’t cope; we are all going to die”, can also hinder people. “A better thought would be to say ‘we have a plan we know…I am going to try and stay calm and help other people’. “By managing those thoughts you have a better chance of being able to make good decisions and stick to your plan and stay safe.” Dr Burke said the guide was a good resource for psychologists, who can use it or download it for their clients. Last year, the APS produced another guide with the Red Cross on psychological first aid, assisting first disaster responders who want to provide low level support for people experiencing a disaster. The guide is available at www.redcross.org.au.
Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 24 | Page 13
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MANAGER – HOME BASED SERVICES Permanent Full Time Role (80 hrs per fortnight with ADO) Are you a leader who is able to motivate and build teams? Ballarat Health Services (BHS) has an opportunity for a highly experienced person to lead expanded services in the hospital to home clinical care program. BHS has a long history of providing expert Hospital in the Home care and recognises the need to expand patient access to this and other hospital to home bridging services for future capacity building. As Manager Home Based Services, you will be responsible for implementing the service expansion initially in Hospital in the Home services and future phases of BHS hospital to community services. You will build a strong collaborative clinical team, streamline service access, pathways and delivery. Supporting the team will be a major focus of the role as will strong stakeholder engagement within and external to BHS. Applicants with experience in the non bed-based services and with business unit management experience are encouraged to apply for this full time position To be successful in this position you will require: • Current Nursing registration • Management qualifications at Bachelor Degree or higher level • Demonstrated change management experience in health sector • Demonstrated capacity to engage internal and external stakeholders • Experience with hospital based computer systems and other IT systems (preferable) • Ability to accurately use hospital filing and billing systems • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills For full details of this and other nursing and allied health vacancies visit our web site at: www.ahnr.com.au
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Do you have the ability to manage, lead, problem solve and provide advanced clinical patient care? Do you have expertise in general adult psychiatry? If you are highly skilled and motivated Registered Nurse with high levels of energy and excellent leadership qualities, this this position is for you! Delmont Private Hospital is an accredited 88 bed private psychiatric hospital with an extensive Inpatient, Day Program, Outreach and Consulting Suite. We are seeking a full time, 38 hour (Monday – Friday) Nurse Unit Manager to join our managerial and clinical teams, leading and managing our acute psychiatric unit specializing in Aged Psychiatry. RELEVANT EXPERIENCE ESSENTIAL. As the Nurse Unit Manager you will be required to develop, maintain and enhance relationships with our patients and stakeholders. This role provides
leadership, direction and management to the Unit as well as a direct clinical care component. A vision for excellence and providing quality care and service to people with complex mental health issues, together will superior communication and organization skills and the ability to prioritise work in a dynamic environment will see you succeed in this role. In return you will be offered attractive remuneration, professional working conditions and supported by a dedicated multidisciplinary team within a leading provider of mental health services. Award as per ANF. Written applications to: Robyn Baird, HR Co-ordinator rbaird@delmonthospital.com.au
Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 24 | Page 17
Emerging Nurse Leader looks back As part of the first intake of nurses in the Emerging Nurse Leader (ENL) program, Laurie Bickhoff looks back over the past 12 months with satisfaction. Established as an initiative of The College of Nursing in 2011, the ENL program is now run by The Australian College of Nursing (ACN), which in July began operating as the unified body of The College of Nursing and the Royal College of Nursing, Australia. With the program designed to last five years, its first year, 2012, saw five nurses handpicked from around the country. Laurie, in her third year studying for a Bachelor of Nursing at Newcastle University in NSW, was one of them. She says key learnings from the first 12 months included an assessment of each participant’s strengths and weaknesses. “I discovered that creativity and innovation were key areas for me. I also discovered that while I’m very self-motivated, the ability to motivate others was something I needed to focus on.” The program is designed around mentoring by nurse leaders. It also includes funded attendance at nursing conferences and guidance on how to use social media and other communications tools, such as an online journal, to raise each participant’s profile and communicate with nursing students and professionals. Laurie, who says her confidence and grasp of key issues has grown exponentially since she started, was spurred to apply for the program by a desire to encourage others to join nursing. “The current generation of nurse leaders will be retiring in the next 10 to 15 years, so it’s vital that the knowledge and experience they have acquired is passed on to the next generation.” And she is keen to emphasise that ‘leadership’ should not be confused with ‘management’. Page 18 | www.ncah.com.au
“A leader can be anyone from a cleaner who notices there might be a better way of managing hygiene to an AIN that has the confidence to broach a procedural issue with an RN.” The second year of the ENL program will focus on helping others, she says. “The first year was all about looking inwards and tackling our strengths and weaknesses. I’m really looking forward to the second year, where we’ll be focusing more on influencing others around us.” “I’m really happy with the way the ENL program is designed. I’d recommend it to anyone.” An active member of the Nurses 4 Nurses program at the University of Newcastle, Laurie has helped develop a number of ‘how to’ handouts for UON nursing students and coauthored a “Student Survival Guide: written by student for students” which was published this year in the May issue of the Australian Journal of Nursing
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Nurse leaders look to the future by Karen Keast Nurse leaders have joined clinical nurses, nurse managers, nurse educators and midwives to discuss the biggest challenges facing the future of nursing in the South Pacific region. More than 300 nurses and midwives from Australia, New Zealand, American Samoa, the Cook Islands, East Timor, Fiji, Republic of Kiribati, Nauru, Niue Island, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu gathered in Melbourne mid-November for the four-day South Pacific Nurses Forum. With the theme for the 16th forum titled ‘The future of nursing and midwifery – where are we heading?’, nurses covered issues in the area of leadership and workforce to innovative education, working together across the South Pacific, regulation and accreditation, and implementation of the Millennium Development Goals. With a focus on the future, the forum put nurse leadership in the spotlight featuring presentations on issues such as nursing leadership roles and their impact on nursing practice in the Solomon Islands, and the leadership issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nurses in Australia. Emerging Nurse Leader Program recipients Catherine Ryan and Elyse Taylor also spoke about their first year in the five-year program, an initiative of The College of Nursing Australia, which aims to equip and empower a generation of nurse leaders to take the nursing profession into the future. Each year, the program accepts five nursing students at the end of their first or second year of their Bachelor of Nursing studies and mentors them in areas such as vision casting, financial management, public speaking and presentation, networking, research and writing, team leadership, communication and Page 20 | www.ncah.com.au
conflict resolution, project management and government lobbying. Australian Nursing Federation federal secretary Lee Thomas said the South Pacific Nurses Forum, which was formed in 1982 and meets every two years, was an opportunity for nurses and midwives to examine the sector’s future. “This is a great opportunity to share the benefits of advances in nursing and midwifery methods and technology and to discuss key areas of concern in the region, such as infant mortality rates, prevention and cure issues, disease control and nutrition and disaster preparedness,” she said. “Nurses and midwives, no matter where they live and work, take pride in their dedication and determination to make a difference to people’s lives.”
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ingCare Ageing is the single largest provider of aged care services in New South Wales and the ACT seeks to provide positiveseeking lifestyle choices for older people that result in enriching and fulfilling lives. We are currently to fill the following positions:
are currently seeking experienced Registered Nurses to fill three key positions in our largest Community Packaged Care – Sydney West vice. The successful applicants willManager be responsible for ensuring the delivery of high quality person centred e that reflects the mission andCare values of UnitingCare Ageing. Packaged Manager – Sydney South West
RN Coordinator – Sydney South West
are currently seeking to fill the following positions:
The successful applicants must have Packaged Care Manager – Sydney Westcurrent Australian Health Professional Registration Authority for Registered Nurses–asSydney well have a proven Packaged Care Manager South Westtrack record of experience in Community Services or RN Coordinator Sydney South West Health Care–Administration.
successful applicants must have current Australian Health Professional Registration Authority For further information on the individual positions or to submit an application, please email: Registered Nurses as well have a proven track record of experience in Community Services or lth Care Administration.
Human Resources
further information on the individual positions or to submit an application, please email: E: jobs@unitingagedcarewest.org.au
A: PO Box 4173, Penrith NSW 2750
man Resources obs@unitingagedcarewest.org.au UnitingCare Ageing2750 offer a supportive and friendly team environment, we are an EEO employer. Only people O Box 4173, Penrith NSW
with the right to work in Australia may apply for this position. Relevant criminal record checks and a physical
ngCare Ageing offerassessment a supportive friendly team environment, we areforan EEO employer. Onlytopeople functional shalland be conducted on applicants recommended employment/appointment positions the right to within work UnitingCare in AustraliaAgeing. may apply for this position. Relevant criminal record checks and a physical tional assessment shall be conducted on applicants recommended for employment/appointment to positions n UnitingCare Ageing.
www.unitingcareageing.nsw.uca.org.au
Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 24 | Page 21
WA graduate nurses miss out on jobs by Karen Keast …nursing can take you anywhere, you will never be unemployed, you will never be out of work, it’s so flexible with families…it’s such a great job and yet I am having all of this trouble even trying to gain employment.
“They always come up to us and say…nursing can take you anywhere, you will never be unemployed, you will never be out of work, it’s so flexible with families…it’s such a great job and yet I am having all of this trouble even trying to gain employment. “I know for a fact that I am an excellent nursing student.
– Jess Tully, Graduate Nurse
“I love my patients and I love my job. It’s the career I am meant to be in.”
Graduate nurses in Western Australia are the latest to face a severe shortage of graduate positions.
In Queensland, just 270 of the 2765 nursing graduates who applied have received jobs in the public sector while in Victoria, more than 800 graduate nurses will be left without jobs.
The WA Department of Health has offered 827 graduate nurses and midwives places in its graduate program amid reports almost 1400 people applied. A group of graduate nurses, upset at the lack of job opportunities, has launched the Give Grad Nurses a Chance Facebook page and recently held a rally at Parliament House protesting the lack of graduate positions. Graduate Jess Tully, 21, started the Facebook group after missing out on her five Perth preferences through the Graduate Nurse Connect online recruitment system for the public sector, and has not received an offer despite also applying to private hospitals. “Everyone was saying to me – ‘sorry, we have got too many applications, we can’t even interview you’,” she told Triple J. “Well basically if you don’t do a grad program you are basically unemployed. “I have called up all of the hospitals and said – ‘hey, I don’t have a grad program but is it okay if I apply to be a straight up RN with you guys’ and they have all said to me, ‘yeah you can apply but we are not going to take you because we need that grad program experience’. Page 22 | www.ncah.com.au
Employment of Tasmanian nursing graduates is down 40 per cent, and New South Wales and South Australia’s public health sectors are also facing major cost-saving cuts. The shortage of graduate positions has prompted the Australian Nursing Federation to launch a national campaign, titled Stop passing the buck, Australia’s nursing grads need jobs!, in response to the “slash and burn budgetcuts” threatening the future of the nation’s nursing and midwifery workforce. Meanwhile, a WA Department of Health spokesperson said there was a large increase in applications for graduate positions this year. “The application process for nursing graduate positions is competitive and we select nurses who are best suited to work in WA Health,” the spokesperson said. “Graduate programs are not mandatory for nurses as they are registered to practice when they graduate from university. “WA Health is not the only employer of graduate nurses and there is a limit to how many graduates we can take within our system.”
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Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 24 | Page 23
Brigid volunteers her nursing skills in Fiji by Karen Keast Think of Fiji and your mind immediately conjures up images of pristine beaches, fresh fruit and fish.
“I felt very at home in this role and it was perhaps here that my passion for providing equity in healthcare was properly realised,” Brigid said.
But the reality is Fiji is facing an epidemic of lifestyle-related diseases.
That position spurred Brigid to apply for a volunteer role with the Australian Red Cross.
Each year, 300 leg amputations are performed on the island nation as a result of late or nondiagnosed diabetes.
Seven months ago, Brigid arrived in Fiji and her first role was as a healthy lifestyle promotions officer, where Brigid worked to put fresh food and exercise back on the menu for Fijians.
It’s a statistic Melbourne nurse Brigid Buick is working to reverse. Through her role as a diabetes training officer for the Fiji Minister of Health, Brigid is working to tackle the tide of non-communicable diseases, ranging from diabetes to cancers and heart disease, which are now the leading cause of disability and death in Fiji. Brigid is an Australian Red Cross volunteer working in Fiji through the Australian Volunteers for International Development (AVID) program, an Australian Government and AusAID initiative. A nurse of eight years, Brigid is training health professionals, mostly nurses, on diabetic foot assessment, working on an online training course for diabetic educators and developing a practical manual for diabetic foot care. “With early identification and intervention of diabetic foot complications amputation can be avoided,” Brigid said. “The most important role nurses can play in preventing amputation is through community education.” It’s a role Brigid was made for. Brigid spent two years working in the area of diabetes-associated food complications when she worked in community nursing for the Royal District Nursing Service’s Homeless Persons Program, running a clinic from the Ozanam Community Centre and working in outreach in North Melbourne for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Page 24 | www.ncah.com.au
Brigid helped design and implement health promotion activities and materials, such as the non-communicable disease float for Suva’s Hibiscus Festival in August. Brigid said while a lack of resources was the biggest challenge to her role in Fiji, the rewards have been endless. “I love the way Fijians find joy everywhere,” she said. “I feel inspired working with people who give so much of themselves because they want to improve the quality of life for their communities. “One of the things I have been really privileged to do is to spend time developing relationships with the nurses. “Opportunities when we can sit around and talk informally for a couple of hours are invaluable for what I learn about training needs, wants (and) barriers. “I feel so lucky to have had this experience. If I can give a tenth back of what I feel I have gained I would feel I have done a good job.” Australian Red Cross has been recruiting and supporting skilled professionals for assignments in countries across Africa, Asia and the Pacific under the AVID program for the past 18 months and now has about 90 volunteers in the field. Volunteers receive airfares, modest living allowances and accommodation. For more information visit www.ausaid.gov.au/volunteer.
PUBLICATION & DEADLINE DATES - 2013 For advertising bookings or enquiries call +61 (03) 9271 8700 Issue
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Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 24 | Page 25
ANF campaigns to safeguard graduate nursing jobs by Karen Keast won’t be able to secure employment when they graduate. Queensland is not alone. In Victoria, more than 800 graduate nurses will be left without jobs, employment of Tasmanian nursing graduates is down 40 per cent, while New South Wales and South Australia’s public health sectors are also facing major cost-saving cuts. “With a predicted shortage of nurses as high as 109,000 nurses by 2025, the non-employment of graduate nurses by state governments is staggering,” ANF federal secretary Lee Thomas said in a statement.
The Australian Nursing Federation is demanding state and federal politicians act now to curb the cost-cutting attack on nursing, midwifery and care staff. The ANF federal executive has launched a national campaign, titled Stop passing the buck, Australia’s nursing grads need jobs!, in response to “slash and burn budget-cuts” threatening the future of the nation’s nursing and midwifery workforce. It comes as state governments across many states of Australia are moving to slash health budgets, resulting in a major decrease in jobs for nursing graduates. At this stage, Queensland is the worst affected, with just 270 nurses, or less than 10 per cent, of the 2765 applications Queensland Health received through its graduate nurse online recruitment system receiving job offers in the latest round. There is also anecdotal evidence the cutbacks have prompted some Queensland nursing students to swap courses amid fears they Page 26 | www.ncah.com.au
Ms Thomas said recent “savings” had also resulted in the sacking of highly-trained nurses and the closure of hospital beds while vital mental health services and public and preventative health programs have been abandoned. “Billions of dollars have been slashed from public health systems across Australia and it is nurses and midwives and the people they care for, each and every day, who are suffering as a result of it,” she said. “The ANF believes these cost-cutting exercises are nothing but a direct attack on nursing, midwifery and care staff and their daily working conditions across the public health system.” The union is calling on governments to support a raft of strategies in a bid to secure employment
The union is calling on governments to support a raft of strategies in a bid to secure employment for nursing graduates and for the ongoing promotion of safe patient care. – Lee Thomas ANF Federal Secretary
for nursing graduates and for the ongoing promotion of safe patient care. Measures include waiving HECS fees for graduates who accept employment in areas of needs, state and federal government funding for 24-hour, seven day-a-week clinical supervision and mentoring, rotation through non-traditional graduate areas such as primary care and aged care, and joint state and federal funding for graduate positions. The ANF is also calling for Health Workforce Australia to urgently conduct research into the career moves of graduates who miss out on nursing positions. A spokesperson for Federal Health Minister Tanya Plibersek said graduate positions are an issue for state and territory governments and private employers. “While the Australian Government is working with the states and territories to build a highly trained and well qualified health workforce, the majority
of nurses are employed by state or territory governments or private employers, and it is these employers who are responsible for determining the availability of graduate positions,” he said. “The completion of a graduate year, or transition to practice program, is not a requirement for registration as a nurse or midwife. “Outside of the hospital setting, there are a number of other areas of employment, including aged care, primary health care and the disability sector.” The spokesperson said nurses should check the online Nursing and Midwifery Graduate Jobs Portal, an initiative of Health Workforce Australia, which provides information about transition to practice programs and employment opportunities for graduate nurses and midwives in the public, private and not-for-profit sector across Australia. It can be accessed at http://hwa.bigredsky.com
Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 24 | Page 27
Call for impaired nurse program to go national by Karen Keast The Australian Nursing Federation’s Victorian branch is calling for the state’s unique and now jeopardised Nursing and Midwifery Health Program Victoria (NMHPV) to be rolled out nationally. The program is the only one of its kind in Australia and provides confidential assistance to nurses and midwives battling drug or alcohol addiction and mental health issues. But the program, which is now assisting 123 nurses and midwives, faces an uncertain future after the Nursing and Midwifery Board decided not to provide ongoing funding for the program past mid-2014, while also ruling out any move to expand the program nationally. The Board has now released an independent consultant’s report into the program, on which it based its decision. The report states a “limited number of notifications about nurses and midwives are linked to impairment-related issues”. It also shows other states and territories have different approaches to managing health impairment, including Employee Assistance Programs for nurses and midwives, and it states services could potentially be duplicated, raising questions about the value, need and cost of the program. The report also revealed there are stakeholder concerns a national rollout of the program could increase the cost of annual registrations. “While the National Board is concerned about the well-being of all registered nurses and midwives, as a regulator it does not have a statutory role in primary, preventative or support health programs,” the Board said in a statement. But the report also found there was “complete agreement about the quality, effectiveness and value of the NMHPV’s work”. “There are no other such Board-related health Page 28 | www.ncah.com.au
programs in other states and territories,” it states. “ANF branches were enthusiastic about the Victorian model, and argued that a similar program of support for and by impaired nurses and midwives was essential to retain a safe and competent workforce.” ANF Vic branch acting secretary Paul Gilbert said the consultant’s report supported the program, providing a platform for it to be rolled out nationwide. “The report seems to be by far and away supportive of the operation of the Victorian model,” he said. “What it seems to say is the board should have more investigations into what the situation is in other states.” Since it first started in 2006, the Victorian program has provided care for 709 nurses and midwives, additional telephone support for 245 nurses and midwives, run a weekly peer support group for about 140 people and helped about 100 employers.
issues, that those costs are greater than the cost of running the health program,” Mr Gilbert said. ANF branches were enthusiastic about the Victorian model, The branch calculates, with more than 87,800 and argued that a similar nurses and midwives in Victoria, it would cost an program of support for and extra $5.69 per registrant annually to fund the by impaired nurses and program, which is also offered to students as midwives was essential to well as non-practising nurses and midwives. retain a safe and competent “The alternative is to only charge Victorian workforce. operating the Victorian program. To find out more contact Mental Healthregistrants Services for located at Northern Sydney – Extract from the report on That’s something that the board is quite capable Local Health District currently have a range of us today the Nursing and Midwifery of doing,” Mr Gilbert said. Mental Health Nursing opportunities for both Health Program Victoria Registered and Enrolled Nurses across a number of If you would like to “New South Wales pays a different registration to Clinical Services and Teams which include locations at: enquire about what Victoria pays already.” opportunities or a site • Manly Hospital Mr Gilbert said the union will pursue the issue of clinical Thevisit ANFand Victour branch argues the program • Royal Northfurther Shorewith Hospital the Board and also with state and settingsa cost please contact represents saving of more than•$7 million to Hornsby Hospital federal health ministers. the health sector; minimising loss of •productivity Macquarie Hospital. Leung for Winnie nurses and midwives with impairments. The Nurses Board of Victoria previously Phone: 9887 5989 Northern Sydney Local funded the Health programDistrict until theoffers move flexible to national “It’sEmail: pretty wleung@nsccahs. clear that when you look at the costs work options,registration, salary packaging, education when the funding wassupport guaranteed of dealing with a practitioner that and is seriously health.nsw.gov.au self development to continueopportunities. until June 2013. affected by drugs or alcohol or mental health
A 12Nursing month New Graduate Program is offered for Mental Health Opportunities both Registered and Enrolled Nurses. Northern Sydney Local Health District
Full Time, Nurse Part Timeor & Casual positions are available. Are you a Registered Enrolled Nurse Midwives needed North Sydney! interested –inyou’re a career inforMental Health Nursing? • Looking a betterin work/life balance? To find find out out more more contact contact To us today today us you would would like like to to IfIf you enquire about enquire about To find out more contact opportunities or aa site opportunities or site us today visit and tour of clinical visit and tour of clinical settings please please contact contact settings If you would like to enquire about Winnie Leung Leung Winnie opportunities or a site Phone: 9887 5989 Phone: 9887 5989 visit and tour of clinical Email: wleung@nsccahs. Email: wleung@nsccahs. settings please contact health.nsw.gov.au health.nsw.gov.au
Winnie Leung Phone: 9887 5989 Email: wleung@nsccahs. Northern Sydney Northern Sydney Local Health District health.nsw.gov.au Local Health District
Northern Sydney Local Health District
• Looking for a career change and want to try an exciting clinical specialty? Northern Sydney Local Health District have Mental Health Health Services located at Northern Northern Sydney Mental Services located at Sydney Local Health District currently have a range of Then NOW is the time. exciting opportunities forhave dedicated Local Health District currently a range ofand Mental Health Health Nursing Nursing opportunities opportunities for for both both Mental passionate midwives at Manly Hospital Registered and Enrolled Nurses across number of We look forward to welcoming you to friendlyof and Registered and Enrolled Nurses across aaanumber Clinical Services and Teams which include locations at: supportive Team! Clinical Services and Teams which include locations at: and Mona Vale Hospital. These are sought Mental Health Services located at Northern Sydney •Local Manly Hospital positions, and offerhave fantastic Health District currently a rangecareer of •after Manly Hospital • Royal North Shore Hospital Mental Health Nursing opportunities for both •development Royal North Shore Hospital opportunities in addition to Hornsby Hospital Hospital and Enrolled Nurses across a number of ••Registered Hornsby • Macquarie Hospital. Clinical Services and Teamsthat which include locations dynamic lifestyle only Sydney canat: •the Macquarie Hospital.
offer. Northern Sydney Local Local Health Health District District offers offers flexible flexible • Manly Hospital Northern Sydney work options, salary packaging, education support • Royal North Shore Hospital work options, salary packaging, education support and self development development opportunities. • Hornsby Hospital and self opportunities. To apply, visit http://nswhealth.erecruit.com.au • Macquarie Hospital. A 12 12 month month New New Graduate Program isis offered offered for and follow theGraduate search prompts, or for more A Program for both Registered and Enrolled Nurses. Northern Sydneyand Local HealthNurses. District offers flexible both Registered Enrolled information, contact Suzanne Bearup work options, salary packaging, education support Full Time, Part Time & Casual positions are available. available. and self development opportunities. (02)Time, 9998Part 0279 Full Time & Casual positions are Looking forNew better work/life balance? 12 month Graduate Program is offered for ••ALooking for aa better work/life balance? Careers Alliedwant Health to - Issue | Page 29 Looking for aa career career change and try24 an Registered andNursing Enrolled Nurses. ••both Looking for change and want to try an exciting clinical specialty? exciting clinical specialty? Full Time, Part Time & Casual positions are available.
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Page 30 | www.ncah.com.au
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www.pulsejobs.com Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 24 | Page 31
Safe nurse staffing levels the key by Karen Keast There were less falls and medication errors in New Zealand District Health Board (DHB) hospitals in 2011-2012 but clinical management events leading to serious and sentinel events (SSEs) increased, a new report shows. The Health Quality and Safety Commission’s Making Our Hospitals Safer report shows 91 patients died, although not necessarily as a result of the adverse event that occurred. Falls made up 47 per cent of all SSEs reported for the year but the number of falls dropped from 195 in 2010-11 to 170. There were 111 clinical management events, up from 105 in the previous year, including 17 cases of delayed treatment due to failures in hospital systems. The report also shows there were 18 medication
errors and 17 suspected in-patient suicides. The New Zealand Nurses Organisation has blamed inadequate staffing for patient falls and says safe staffing levels will result in healthy workplaces. The union wants more focus on Care Capacity Demand Management (CCDM), a program developed by the Safe Staffing Healthy Workplaces Unit, the union and DHBs, which works to match service demand with service capacity to ensure the right number of nurses and skill mix is available to meet patients’ needs. NZNO professional nursing adviser Kate Weston said inadequate staffing can lead to late monitoring of a patient’s vital signs and also patient falls. For the full article visit NCAH.com.au
Survey reveals public’s view of healthcare Recently released data from The 2012 Menzies-Nous Australian Health Survey show Australians’ view of the healthcare system as generally positive, but with room for improvement in key areas such as aged care. The Australian Health Survey 2012 was conducted via a phone interview of 1200 people in July 2012, using a number of questions regarding the health of Australians and use of the health care system previously asked in 2008, 2010 and 2012. However in addition, new questions were also asked for the first time this year including questions regarding Australian perspectives on aged-care reforms. Released in recent weeks, the survey’s findings showed that Australians’ views of the healthcare system have improved significantly since 2008, while over 85 per cent of respondents expressed confidence in how the Page 32 | www.ncah.com.au
system would serve them if they were severely ill. However the survey also found that half of all Australians surveyed desired better aged care services to allow the elderly to live at home longer. It also found while Australians were most satisfied with their most recent visit to a pharmacy they were least satisfied with their last visit to a residential aged care facility or nursing home. When asked about the aged care system, the majority of respondents indicated they were prepared to pay more taxes to improve aged care services so that older people can stay at home longer. Other findings included that general practitioners and pharmacies were the most highly used health care services in Australia between July 2011 and July 2012. For the full article visit NCAH.com.au
Careers at Anglican Care Are you looking for job security within an established organisation? Seeking a strong workplace culture with a reputation for quality care? Situated in the beautiful Hunter and Central Coast regions, Anglican Care offers a wide choice of quality aged care service options to meet individual needs, enhance lifestyle, encourage independence, maintain socialisation within our community and assure peace of mind. Our team are dedicated to providing an individual approach to care and fostering an enriching lifestyle for our residents and clients. At Anglican Care our goal is to attract like minded people who share our Vision, Mission and Values, where all staff work side by side to deliver the best possible resident and client care.
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Excellent Care, Quality Lifestyle Nursing Careers Allied Health - Issue 24 | Page 33
Occupational therapist drives home stroke message by Karen Keast When can a person recovering from a stroke get behind the wheel of a vehicle? New South Wales occupational therapist Janet Frith knows the answer and now she wants to gauge the knowledge of other health professionals on the issue. The Maitland Hospital OT and University of Newcastle Masters student is conducting an anonymous online survey as part of her Shifting Gears: Returning to Driving After Stroke research. It comes after her earlier research found only about a half of stroke survivors were receiving information about when they could return to driving, in compliance with nationally legislated and recommended clinical guidelines. If someone has the prospect of losing their licence or cannot drive, it’s quite an emotive topic. – Janet Frith Maitland Hospital OT and University of Newcastle Masters Student Now Ms Frith is surveying health practitioners, including OTs, GPs, nurses and other allied health professionals, to determine why some stroke survivors are not receiving return to driving education. “The ideal outcome is to find out why there’s this practice evidence gap,” she said. “Is it because health practitioners don’t know about the guidelines or don’t feel confident with them and who is providing that education?” Ms Frith, an OT for about 10 years, said she first became interested in researching the issue after working in an acute neurological ward.
Page 34 | www.ncah.com.au
“Some of the patients were of working age and were going from hospital straight back into working,” she said. “I knew they would be going straight back into driving.” Ms Frith said the survey, which has already received about 400 responses nation-wide, will remain open until February. She said her research will be published and could be used to develop strategies to help bridge the education gap. Ms Frith said health practitioners could access return to driving information for stroke survivors on the National Stroke Foundation and Austroads websites, and from the websites of state road transport authorities. “There’s guidelines there to help health practitioners to manage return to driving for stroke survivors – so you don’t have to make it up, it’s very clear,” she said. “So many people love driving or need to drive to do their everyday things or to work. I think that also might be a reason why it’s overlooked. “If someone has the prospect of losing their licence or cannot drive, it’s quite an emotive topic. “Use the guidelines – they are there,” Ms Frith said. “Don’t be scared to have that conversation with people. We all share the road.” To participate in the survey visit www.surveymonkey.com/s/shiftinggears2012
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