theNursingPost www.nursingpost.com.au
The Career and Education Magazine for Nurses and Health Professionals
29 October 2012
- ISSUE 21
Rural/Remote Health
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Have you thought about working remotely? With a range of short-term paid placements available for Registered Nurses in remote Indigenous communities all over the Northern Territory, joining RAHC allows you the opportunity to make a real difference to Indigenous health in Australia, while still keeping your regular job back home.
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Editor’s note... Hi Readers, Welcome to Issue 21 of The Nursing Post magazine. SunSense UV Photobus has hit Australian roads this summer bringing free UV analyses and a team of skincare consultants to communities all over the country. Visit www.sunsense.com.au to find your nearest bus stop! This issue, we take a close look at Rural and Remote Health. In a bid to better serve the needs of rural and remote communities, Mental Health Association Australia is launching a new and exciting free online mental health support service across Queensland. This service will provide communities with free and accessible professional support to assist with any issues that may be affecting mental health and quality of life. Are you dreaming of a new career adventure? Rural and remote careers can be very rewarding. If you are wanting to find out more about working in rural or remote Australia and the opportunities available to you, have a look at our features on Rural Health Select (pg.14) and RAHC (pg.18). Cancer Council’s Pink Ribbon Day was celebrated on 22 October to raise funds for breast cancer research, prevention programs and support services. If your ward or workplace got involved and held a fundraisier, send your photos into artwork@nursingpost.com.au. You could be featured in our next issue! Our next issue is out on Monday 12 November featuring Mental Health. Until then, take care.
Naomi Byrne Editor 2
On the Cover: Remote Area Health Corps (RAHC) Turn to pg.18 for this feature
Next Issue: Mental Health ABN: 28 105 044 282 PO BOX 6213, East Perth, WA, 6892 Ph: +(618) 9325 3917 | Fax: +(618) 9325 4037 E: artwork@nursingpost.com.au W: www.nursingpost.com.au Next Publication Details: Issue 22: 12 November 2012 Material Deadline: 5 November 2012 Printed by Daniels Printing Craftsmen Editor and Graphic Designer Naomi Byrne Sales and Marketing Manager Michael Kuhnert
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25/09/12 3:14 PM
Contents... Features
6
SunSense UV Photobus
8
Telethon Institute for Child Health Research
Revealing Nation’s ‘Future Skin’ Vitamin B crucial to children’s mental health
10
RMIT University
34
Healthy Recipes
Study advances cancer-killing cream for melanoma Emily Tan of Fuss Free Cooking shares her delicious healthy recipes
Rural/Remote Health
12
12th National Rural Health Conference
“Strong Commitment, Bright Future” - Improving Rural Health
14
Rural Health Select
16
Mental Health Association
From Broome to Albany - career opportunities in rural WA
Our Advertisers Inside Cover
New free online support service introduced to Queensland
Indigenous Health
18
The SunSense UV Photobus - find your nearest bus stop for a free UV analysis!
Remote Area Health Corps (RAHC)
“It is challenging, I’m not going to lie, but it is just so rewarding”
Courses, Conferences and Events
Remote Area Health Corps (RAHC)
1
Quick and Easy Finance
3
IHNA
4
Paradigm
20
PULSE International
21
Orange Health Service
22
Continental Travel Nurse
23
Rural Health West
24
Medacs Healthcare
25
Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services Council (KAMSC)
28
Oceania University of Medicine
29
List of up- coming courses and conferences
26
30
Discharge Planning & Service Integration Conference
Mediserve Nursing Agency
27
CQ Nurse
31
IAHA 2012 National Conference
36
Mediserve Nursing Agency
32
Centre for Remote Health
Inside Back
Medibank
33
2013 ICN 25th Quadrennial Congress
Back Cover
Remote Area Health Corps (RAHC) 5
SunSense UV Photobus
REVEALING NATION’S ‘FUTURE SKIN’ AND UV DAMAGE DONE The SunSense UV Photobus has hit Australian roads this summer bringing free UV analyses and a team of skincare consultants to communities all over the country. With one Aussie every eight hours dying from skin cancer and diagnosis occurring almost each and every minute of the day, further education on the dangers of hidden UV damage is critically needed. The SunSense SunSensibility initiative is a community health project now in its second year. The UV Photobus is a mobile skin analysis centre that will travel the country providing free UV skin analyses and personalised sun protection advice. The aim of the programme is to help reveal the nation’s hidden UV damage that is invisible to the naked eye in a bid to make us all more aware of the importance of good sun protection habits for life. The reality is, we need to start education as early as possible as melanoma is the most prevalent cancer in young Australian’s aged 15-29 years. “As Aussies we regularly hear about UV damage, premature ageing and skin cancer but this isn’t resulting in action and the statistics speak for themselves - 384,342 Australians are diagnosed with skin cancer each year, that’s over 1000 people every day. As a nation we have the highest number of melanoma cases in the world and this is why we hope the SunSense UV Photobus will help get Australian heads out of the sand and thinking more seriously about day to day protection and skin related 6
illnesses.” says Dr Kerryn Greive PhD, Head of Research and Development, Ego Pharmaceuticals. SunSensibility ambassador and TV commentator, Carrie Bickmore launched the SunSense initiative in Sydney on October 9 and talked of her personal experience with UV damage. “To say that I was shocked when I saw my UV analysis is an understatement. My score was 42 out of 100 and well below the average. Growing up in the sun, using limited sun protection, and now seeing the cumulative damage as a result, it has certainly hit home that I need to be more vigilant with both myself and my son. I strongly encourage everyone to get their skin checked by a SunSense consultant when the bus arrives in your community. It’s available to everyone for free.” says Carrie. Leading Dermatologist, Dr Phillip Artemi adds: “Serious skin damage is fast becoming a detrimental by-product of living under some of the world’s strongest UV rays. 80% of lifetime sun exposure can occur before the age of 18, so vigilant sun protection habits, taught from an early age are essential in curbing the statistics. Each of us has a responsibility to ourselves and our families to take better care of our skin.” The Photobus tour and it’s team of SunSense skin consultants are travelling to various locations across Australia from 9 October to 5 December. Please visit the SunSense website at www.sunsense.com.au to find your nearest bus stop for a free UV analysis!
Top tips for protecting your skin: Apply sunscreen whenever you go outdoors... Many people mistake cloudy days as being safer for skin but UV rays can still penetrate cloud cover and cause sun damage. We should all be wearing a SPF 30+ sunscreen like SunSense’s Daily Face every day. If you wear moisturiser, make sure it includes SPF 30+ protection... You never know where the day will take you. On sunny days it can take as little as 10 minutes for the sun to begin burning your skin. It’s also a good idea to keep some sunscreen in your hand bag just in case you decide to take that outside table at the café. Sunscreen is just one part of protecting skin from damage... Two in three Australians will develop skin cancer by the age of 70, so it’s important to take as many precautions as possible. Hats, sunglasses and longsleeved tops made of tightly woven fabric are all good. Always make sure you apply plenty of sunscreen... On average, consumers apply half to two thirds of the sunscreen they should to get the SPF on the pack label. This means that if they invested in an SPF30+, in practice they are only getting SPF 10 or 20. There is a common misunderstanding about how much sunscreen to apply and how often we should be reapplying it. If you have a 125ml bottle of sunscreen this should give you about four full body applications. Make sure you re-apply sunscreen regularly – not just after exercise, swimming or towelling dry... The effectiveness of a sunscreen film on your skin can be reduced after we sweat, spend time in the water or wipe ourselves dry with a towel; up to 85% of sunscreen can be removed by towel drying. It’s also important to consider that when it’s warm outside we are all perspiring all the time. Perspiration pokes holes in the protective film of sunscreen on your skin, so even if you’re sitting under a beach umbrella you need to be re-applying your sunscreen every 2 hours. Make sure you store sunscreen properly to avoid decreasing its effectiveness... Any SPF 30+ sunscreen will have a use by date and a recommended storage temperature. It is important to take note of these to ensure the effectiveness of the sunscreen over its lifetime. Don’t keep sunscreen in your car’s glove compartment, and don’t use sunscreen that has gone lumpy, looks separated or smells off.
If you’re a parent, make sure you instil healthy habits early... Sun protection by adolescents has declined over the last ten years, due to lack of interest, not knowledge. It’s never too early to begin using sunscreen and everyone from babies to adults should wear sunscreen daily, especially on their face, back of hands and décolletage. Get your skin checked... Given that skin cancers account for about 80% of all new cancers diagnosed each year in Australia, and that Australians are four times more likely to develop a common skin cancer than any other form of cancer, this is really important. There are many skin cancer and/or sunspot clinics nationally and they don’t require a GP’s referral to visit. It’s quick, easy and painless and a great way to ensure you catch any issues early on. Don’t use a solarium! The UV intensity of solariums can be 10-15 times that of the midday sun, greatly increasing your risk of melanoma. Sunburn is NEVER a good thing! Sunburn is actually a sign of skin in trauma and an indication that changes have already been triggered in your skin that can lead to cancer and premature ageing later on. 7
Telethon Institute for Child Health Research
Researcher Carly Herbison (left) and Report Senior Author Professor Wendy Oddy (pictured right)
Vitamin B crucial to children’s mental health A new study led by the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research has uncovered a significant link between vitamin B levels and the mental health and wellbeing of children and adolescents.
“B-vitamins are essential for the production of neurotransmitters, like serotonin, which modulates behaviour in humans and can contribute to feelings of well-being and happiness,” she said.
The research, published in the international journal Preventive Medicine, indicated that children with a diet low in B-vitamins were more likely to experience mental health and behavioural problems than those with a healthier diet rich in B-vitamins.
“Previous studies have shown that externalising mental health and behaviour problems developed during adolescence are related to a higher risk of offending and substance abuse later in life,” said Ms Herbison. “What this study looked at was the relationship between diet, specifically B-vitamin intake and the presence of these externalising behaviours.”
Researcher Carly Herbison said the study is the first to report on a direct link between the prevalence of externalising behaviour problems in adolescents at 17 years and a reduced intake of B1, B2, B5, B6 and folate. 8
Report senior author Professor Wendy Oddy, who heads the Institute’s nutritional research, said the study
reinforces how a healthy diet can play a key role in improving mental health outcomes for young people. “There is a great message in this in how diet may help prevent mental health problems. Improving what our children eat and ensuring they are getting essential B-vitamins from foods such as nuts, seeds, whole-grains, legumes and fruit and vegetables can have a really positive impact on their mental health and wellbeing,” Professor Oddy said.
The Career and Education Magazine for Nurses and Health Professionals
The research was funded by the Cardiovascular Disease and Depression Strategic Research Program, a partnership between the Heart Foundation and beyondblue: the national depression and anxiety initiative. The study used detailed nutritional and mental health data collected from participants in the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort, Raine Study. beyondblue CEO Kate Carnell AO said, “This research reinforces that to have good mental health, you need to have a balanced diet and 30 minutes regular exercise on most days. It’s important to see good mental health as part of your overall mental and physical wellbeing, especially during the growth years.” The Telethon Institute study has recommended further research into the link between B-Vitamins and adolescent mental health and wellbeing.
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9
RMIT University
Lead Investigator, Dr Taghrid Istivan
Study advances cancer-killing cream for melanoma RMIT University researchers have designed a peptide that imitates a melanoma-killing virus, in a biomedical engineering advance that could lead to the development of a cream to target and treat Australia’s “national cancer”. The RMIT team has successfully synthesised a peptide that mimics the activity of a virus protein, with laboratory tests showing the peptide kills melanoma cells while leaving normal human skin cells unharmed. Lead investigator Dr Taghrid Istivan said peptide therapy had the potential to lead to new, non-invasive treatments for melanoma, which is responsible for 75 per cent of skin cancer deaths in Australia. “Australia has the highest incidence of melanoma in the 10
world, with more than 11,000 new diagnoses each year,” Dr Istivan said. “Currently the only effective treatment for early stage melanoma is surgery to cut out the tumour and healthy skin surrounding the affected mole. “The peptide we have developed is toxic to melanoma cells but leaves normal skin cells unaffected. “With further work, including clinical trials, we hope our research could lead to the development of a cream to painlessly and efficiently treat early stage melanoma.” Dr Istivan and her colleagues in RMIT’s Health Innovations Research Institute and the School of Applied Sciences
tested the efficacy of a peptide – a short chain of amino acids – that was designed to work like the proteins of the myxoma virus, a cancer-killing virus shown to be toxic to melanoma in previous studies. “A virus protein is big, expensive to synthesise and has inherent risks when used in medical treatments, because all viruses can mutate,” she said.
The researchers used a novel bioengineering method developed at RMIT by Professor Irena Cosic and Dr Elena Pirogova, from the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, to design the peptide. The peptide was synthesised as a powder, liquefied and tested in vitro on normal human cells and melanoma cells.
“By synthesising a small peptide that mimics the action of a protein, we can offer a stable, safe, targeted and costeffective alternative.”
Scientific images showing the toxicity of the peptide on melanoma cells
Untreated melanoma cells
Melanoma cells 6 hours after treatment with the peptide
Untreated melanoma cells
Melanoma cells 3 hours after treatment with the peptide. Cells on the left are dead and the toxic effect is progressing towards other cells on the right 11
Rural/Remote Health
12th National Rural Health Conference “Strong Commitment, Bright Future” - Improving Rural Health The recent Senate Committee Inquiry into the supply of health services and medical professionals in rural areas picked up on the critical importance of the multidisciplinary health care team for improving rural health. But shortages both of health positions and staff to fill them can mean that such teams are simply not available in many more remote areas.
improve the health and wellbeing of people in rural Australia. The Alliance paper Twenty steps to equal healthcare includes recommendations for greater equivalence in incentives for recruitment, retention, placements and training of rural health professionals across the board as part of improving rural health services and workforce.
The National Rural Health Alliance, the peak nongovernment organisation for rural and remote health, strongly supports the Senate Committee’s recommendation that HECS reimbursement should be available to allied health and nursing graduates on the same terms as is currently the case for medical graduates. The National Rural Health Alliance is made up of 34 national organisations representing rural and remote health interests, including health professionals (nurses, doctors, pharmacists, dentists, paramedics and a range of allied health workers), health educators, researchers and students, health service providers and managers, Indigenous organisations and health consumer networks. The organisations in the Alliance work collaboratively to
For health care as close to home as possible, people in rural and remote communities rely on the support of local primary care health professionals. This means that many nurses and other health professionals in rural and remote areas have a very broad scope of practice, which is challenging and exciting, but can also be demanding and exhausting. Ready and timely access to specialised advice, equipment and practical suggestions – as well as links with professional colleagues – can help to sustain local efforts. Health services sometimes have to employ short-term contract staff at pay rates that seem excessive and can be detrimental to the morale and tenure of permanent health professionals in the area.
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The report of the Senate Inquiry into Palliative Care in Australia has provided some welcome acknowledgment of an issue that everyone needs to think about and discuss – one in which information, care and support are not available evenly across the country. It has also provided some important insights into what can be achieved in rural and remote areas by primary care professionals backed up by specialised support. Specialised palliative care services are less likely to be available locally in rural and remote areas. This means that nurses in primary and aged care services with the capacity to provide some general palliative care as part of their usual practice are critical in those areas for providing people with the choice of spending the end of their life in their local communities. The pathways that country people follow between primary and hospital care in local, regional and city services may affect the critical access points for information about choices and access to palliative care. Nurses are a critical link in the information chain at many points. Telehealth has the potential to link people and their health care providers in rural and remote communities with specialist palliative care advice. Face-to-face consultation with a local health professional is always best, but a video consultation with a palliative care team or other specialist can provide additional support. Practice nurses and nurse practitioners can play a role in facilitating this support through the MBS items for telehealth consultations with specialists (http://www.mbsonline.gov.au/telehealth). CareSearch at http://www.caresearch.org.au is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing as an online resource of palliative care information and evidence, including links to help with finding palliative care and other relevant services. Palliative Care Australia at www.palliativecare.org.au has a wealth of online information as well, including a brochure about morphine and other opioid medicines in palliative care. Supply of medicines for pain management, and related advice, can be a particular issue for people in rural and remote communities who do not have a pharmacist nearby.
Culturally safe care when addressing end of life needs is also an essential part of rural palliative care, given the variety of cultural backgrounds of Australia’s rural population and the higher proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in rural and remote communities. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a strong connection with country. Understanding this, and possible cultural obligations, can make final stages of life more comfortable for patients and their families. Monitoring the effectiveness of government responses to reports such as the Palliative Care Inquiry is part of the continuing work of the Alliance. At present there is a strong focus on the implementation of health reforms such as Medicare Locals, block funding for small hospitals, the Living longer, living better reforms in ageing and aged care, and the National Disability Insurance Scheme. The 12th National Rural Health Conference, to be held in Adelaide 7-10 April 2013, is an important forum for sharing successes and new ideas, and for building on the wealth of existing experience for improving health for country people in the future. The Conference’s call for abstracts, which closed recently, is in effect a point-of-time audit of contemporary issues influencing health and wellbeing of people in rural and remote areas. The health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is an area of key concern among the more than 500 abstracts received. Many abstracts confirm continuing concerns about chronic conditions including mental health, cardio vascular disease, poor oral health and diabetes. Under the theme Strong Commitment, Bright Future, the Conference will provide excellent opportunities for rural people to share their experiences and strategies for delivering successful health services in even the most remote locations. You can keep in touch with all 12th Conference developments at www.ruralhealth.org.au or follow developments on Twitter: @NRHAlliance #ruralhealthconf
The most effective models of palliative care consider the wishes of people with advanced life-limiting disease, taking into account the probable trajectories of their diagnosed conditions. A person’s eHealth record can help with the location of the advanced health care directive. 13
Rural/Remote Health
Rural Health Select From Broome to Albany - career opportunities in rural WA Rural Health Select is the recruiting arm of Rural Health West- an organisation concerned with the ongoing recruitment and retention of health workforce in country Western Australia. Rural Health Select is a FREE recruitment service that provides a one-on-one case management approach- the employer and employee deal directly with an individual case manager. “Having recruited and supported general practitioners for many years, the Rural Health Select recruitment team understand the particular need of rural health professionals. We are able to transfer this knowledge to assist other health professionals,” Tina Donovan, Rural Health West Recruitment Services Manager stated. 14
Annie Judd, a physiotherapist now based in Albany, is one new recruit who has benefited from this service. Providing a financial retention and support package, Rural Health Select assisted Ms Judd to relocate, settle and integrate into the South West community of Albany. “When I graduated, I looked for somewhere I could go for an extended period of time and found a job in Albany, with Rural Health Select’s help,” Ms Judd said. “I lived at home during my university degree, so to have the support of Rural Health Select with relocation and getting involved with the community was great.” Ms Judd has a case manager at Rural Health West and also has access to funds for continued education- she
recently competed an acupuncture course in the eastern states. “I wouldn’t have been able to do it this year without assistance from Rural Health Select.” “Rural Health Select has been extremely supportive and I wouldn’t have had such an easy transition if they weren’t involved.” “I definitely wanted to experience something different and challenging in my job,” she said. “I always visited Albany and liked it. “Being a rural physiotherapist you get a broad range of clients, setting and something new every day. “I am getting more involved in the community, being a smaller town. I am the physiotherapist for some local football clubs, so I am meeting different people.” Her employer is a private practice with four full-time physiotherapists. “The girls are really supportive and good with me- as a new graduate they are giving me a lot of help. “I like the rural side of physiotherapy- I feel like it is needed and a really important part of allied health in a country town.” Rural Health Select is currently seeking nurses, physiotherapists and other allied health professionals who are interested in pursuing a career in country Western Australia.
Dreaming of a new career adventure? Rural Health Select has been extremely successful in recruiting nurses and allied health professionals to regional, rural and remote Western Australia. Nurses recruited include: • • • •
Community nurses Clinical nurse managers Registered Nurses and Enrolled Nurses for private practice and aged care facilities Rural Area Nurses
These candidates have happily settled into rural communities from as far north as Kununurra to coastal towns such as Albany and Esperance in the south. All have benefited from the financial retention and support package to relocate, settle and integrate in their respective communities. For further information on how we can help contact Rural Health Select on 08 6389 4500, email recruit@ruralhealthselect.com.au or visit www.ruralhealthselect.com.au
“There is great demand from town’s right around the state,” Ms Donovan stated. “We have vacancies available from Broome in the north to Busselton in the south across a range of disciplines.” “Rural careers can be very rewarding, and the feedback we have had from recently placed recruits is they are very much enjoying the change of pace of lifestyle and the great variety of work available.” © THE WEST AUSTRALIAN. For further information about Rural Health West and it’s recruiting arm Rural Health Select, please visit: www.ruralhealthwest.com.au 15
Rural/Remote Health
Mental Health Association Australia Parliament House Display
Mental Health Association Australia New free online support service introduced to Queensland A new and exciting free online support service is being rolled out across Queensland in a bid to better serve the needs of remote and rural communities. This service, staffed by Clinicians qualified to provide longer term counselling and therapeutic intervention, enables people to remotely access professional support via online video to assist in addressing any issues that may be affecting mental health and quality of life. By providing free and accessible professional support from outside of the community, the Online Support Service aims to increase the participation of people who delay accessing mental health support due to a lack of economic or social convenience or who have concerns regarding a lack of anonymity in smaller communities. The main aim is improving access and equity of services for these regions. 16
Clients might use the Online Support Service if they: • feel they need to talk to someone about what’s going on in their life • could use some support while clarifying their goals and future direction • are worried about their mental health or feeling down or stressed • are feeling isolated or alone • want to reduce their drug and/or alcohol use • are concerned about a friend or family member The Online Support Service is appointment based, via online video. However, if online video is not accessible to the client, support may also be available by telephone. The service is individualised and therefore more able to meet the needs of the person referred, with no limit on the amount of sessions available.
Referral into this service is via the Mental Health Information Line on 1300 729 686. Please call this number if you would like more information or to access referral. What is the Mental Health Association Australia? The Mental Health Association Australia aims to promote awareness and understanding of mental health in the community and assist people access timely information and link with support available to them. For more than ten years the Mental Health Association has achieved this in Queensland via operation of the Mental Health Information Line. People call the Mental Health Information Line on 1300 729 686 from anywhere in Queensland between 9:00am and 7:00pm AEST to receive information, to link to accessible services or to undertake brief counselling intervention. For this years ‘Mental Health Week’, the Mental Health Association participated in the “Walk of Pride” and official launch activities held in Queens Park in Brisbane on the 7th October. The Mental Health Association was also invited by the Speaker of the House of Queensland Parliament to display important messages and information about mental health in the foyer of Parliament House. In addition to these activities the Mental Health Association raised awareness of mental health through facilitation of a Creative Arts competition. This year, the Mental Health Association’s theme was: “Breathing Space – Working Toward Wellbeing”. The theme was intended to remind people of the importance of finding a ‘Breathing Space’ and to encourage people to take time out and engage in activities designed to not only help relax, but also improve overall health and wellbeing. Entrants were encouraged to express their concept of ‘Breathing Space’ via a range of mediums such as drawing, photography, short story, poetry, song-writing and t-shirt design.
“Labyrinth”, a “yarning circle” and a “retreat” space for relaxing and talking openly with friends and support staff in a safe environment. Notably, the Charleville School of Distance Education did not let geographical distance between students and teachers stop their creativity in applying. This school won a grant for providing “Tai Chi: Overcoming Geographical Boundaries”. Volunteering: Are you looking for a rewarding service to volunteer your time and skills? We are currently recruiting volunteers suited to the Mental Health Information Line Service. This service operates from 9:00am to 7:00pm AEST. If you are interested in volunteering for day or evening shifts at the Annerley location in Brisbane, please forward your expression of interest via email to info@mentalhealth.org.au Please include your name, contact information, and details of previous experience and relevant qualifications. For more information please visit our website www. mentalhealth.org.au or phone 1300 729 686. Mental Health and Alcohol and other Drugs Resource Centre Mental Health Association Australia, Australian College of Community Services and DRUG ARM Resource Centre at 473 Annerley Road, Annerley provides a range of material suitable for all levels of reading. Available in the form of books, pamphlets, fact sheets, magazine and DVDs, the collection offers information on mental health, alcohol and other drug use, self-help books, and different treatment options. The Resource Centre is open every day (except on weekends and public holidays) between 8:30am and 4:45pm AEST. Our friendly staff are happy to assist with your information needs. Phone: 07 3620 8824 | Email: library@drugarm.com.au MEMBERSHIP IS FREE AND EVERYONE IS WELCOME!
This year, the Mental Health Association also offered Schools and Community Sector Organisations in Queensland the opportunity to be involved by applying for a Breathing Space Grant. These grants were offered to assist in creating, promoting and encouraging ‘Breathing Spaces’ in schools and the local community. There were many interesting and well thought out entries including the creation of a “Zen garden” in a school location, a 17
Indigenous Health
Remote Area Health Corps (RAHC) “It is challenging, I’m not going to lie, but it is just so rewarding” health care, but I was familiar with providing primary health care. It was a great placement - I absolutely loved it. “They say that the sand gets in your blood when you come out here and I think it is very true.” Aaron returned to his hospital job in Brisbane but wasn’t done with remote nursing. “I only lasted another three months back in my day job because as soon as I finished my first placement, I wanted to go back.” Aaron says his employer, the Princess Alexandria Hospital, was supportive of him undertaking remote placements as a great opportunity for professional development. “I was very lucky that my employer granted me leave without pay so I could go and work remote, and expand my skills while I was at it. It is just the most rewarding work. It’s great.”
Aaron Richardson of RAHC Aaron Richardson started his career as a hospital-based Registered Nurse working the wards of the Princess Alexandria Hospital in Brisbane. Since taking his nursing remote, Aaron has never looked back. “I saw an email advertising short-term remote nursing in Indigenous communities through the Remote Area Health Corps and I applied. I found out my application was successful on Christmas Eve 2008, and by the 7th January 2009 I was flying out to Alice Springs for Ampilatwatja. It was incredibly quick,” said Aaron. “The placement was great. I didn’t really have a background in remote primary health care or emergency 18
Aaron has continued working remote since the first placement in January 2009, and eventually joined RAHC in 2011 as its Clinical Coordinator for Central Australia and the Barkly region. “I now support all of the RAHC health professionals that come to the Northern Territory for short-term placements. I follow up with phone calls to make sure they are travelling ok and see if they have any clinical concerns or if there have been any incidents. “I also ensure that new nurses have a clinical educator with them when going out on their first placement, as well as coordinating all of their paperwork. I’m available to support them 24/7. Aaron says that nurses who have considered going remote but don’t necessarily think they have enough or the right experience should think again.
“People get bogged down in the fact that they want to keep preparing to come out remote but they actually just need to take the leap and do it. “Obviously we want people to come out here who have some experience and safe clinical practice, but at the same time you just need to take the leap.” Aaron recommends remote nursing to nurses with a minimum of five years’ experience, and says there is ongoing support available. In addition, RAHC offers e-learning clinical modules that provide Territory focussed clinical training focussed on remote practice to assist with that leap. “RAHC makes sure all of our health professionals are fully supported. We want to try and alleviate that feeling of being dropped in the deep end. “It is challenging, I’m not going to lie, but it is just so rewarding,” said Aaron. The Remote Area Health Corps (RAHC) offers short-term paid placements to urban-based health professionals to support the hard working permanent health workforce in remote Indigenous communities all over the Northern Territory. For more information visit www.rahc.com.au 19
P1789 Nursing Post ad_P423 A4 nurse flyer 19-Sep-12 10:49 AM Page 1
Take the first step into a new challenge with PULSE
mripb pí~ÑÑáåÖ=fåíÉêå~íáçå~ä=Ü~ë=ÄÉÉå=êÉÅêìáíáåÖ=ÜÉ~äíÜÅ~êÉ=éêçÑÉëëáçå~äë=áå ^ìëíê~äá~=Ñçê=çîÉê=NR=óÉ~êëK=tÜÉíÜÉê=óçìÛêÉ=äççâáåÖ=Ñçê=íÜÉ=åÉñí=ëíÉé=áå óçìê=Å~êÉÉêI=çê=íÜÉ=ÉñéÉêáÉåÅÉ=óçì=~äï~óë=ÇêÉ~ãÉÇ=~ÄçìíI=çìê=ëéÉÅá~äáëí kìêëÉ=äÉÇ=êÉÅêìáíÉêë=Å~å=ÜÉäéK
mripb=mÉêãë are currently seeking Midwives, Theatres Nurses, Specialist General Nurses, Mental Health Nurses and Intensive Care Nurses for full time & permanent part time positions across the country. If needed, we can facilitate employer-sponsored visas.
mripb=qÉãéë are looking for ICU, General Medical & Surgical Nurses, Paediatric and Theatre Nurses as well as Midwives to fill shifts through our Sydney office
mripb=`çåíê~Åíë are currently seeking Indigenous Community Nurses, Mental Health Nurses, Nurses with A&E experience and Midwives for 12 week contracts in remote and rural hospitals and clinics throughout NSW, SA, NT, TAS and VIC with free accommodation*, free flights*, sign on bonus* and excellent rates of pay.
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ïïïKéìäëÉàçÄëKÅçã *Terms & conditions apply
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Group Practice Midwives Wanted for Orange Central West NSW
Midwifery Group Practice Commencing in Orange and offering Midwives the opportunity to work in a continuity of care model. Orange offers a fantastic rural lifestyle with a thriving local food and wine industry and great family facilities.
Positions Available Permanent Midwife positions available, and CMS 2 as Clinical Team Leader
For more information: Please contact Jenny Soar, MUM Women and Infants Orange Health Service on (02) 6369 2222
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Continental Travelnurse. . . the UK’s Premier Travel Nurse Company
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Looking for a change of scenery? Exciting rural nursing and allied health positions available l GERALDTON l BUNBURY l LANCELIN l MANDURAH l BROOME l ALBANY
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Due to increase in demand we are currently seeking...
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Phone: (02) 6232 4080 Email: canberra@mediserve.com.au Visit online: www.mediserve.com.au 23
Agency Contracts - Rural QLD and NSW • • • •
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Midwives Permanent Roles Brisbane Rural / Remote Area RNs Range Of Contracts Immediate Start RN - Multipurpose Role Aged Care, ED, Med/Surg Immediate Start Contact Us Email: nurses@medacs.com.au Telephone: 1800 059 790 For a full list of our opportunities around the world go to: www.medacs.com.au
Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services Council (KAMSC)
An organisation of Aboriginal people, controlled by Aboriginal people, for Aboriginal people
Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services Council (KAMSC) is a well-established regional Aboriginal community controlled health service, founded in 1986, which provides centralised advocacy and resource support for 6 independent member services, as well as providing direct clinical services in a further 6 remote Aboriginal communities across the region. KAMSC has successfully delivered high-quality, accessible comprehensive primary health care services over its 22 years of operation and has provided innovation and national leadership in areas such as health information management and evidence based best practice in primary health care.
Registered Nurses (Remote Area) | Job No: 38813 | Location: Kimberley Region, WA • Do you want to really make a difference in your career? This is a unique opportunity to work with Indigenous communities in the spectacular Kimberley region! • Excellent remuneration package circa $83, 400 - $93, 300 plus a range of benefits including fully furnished housing, district allowances and airfares. • Enjoy an incredible 16 weeks leave per year, giving you time to explore the magnificent sights of the Kimberley region; stunning gorges, the Ord River and Dam, the Bungle Bungles, Gibb River Road, camping, fishing and four-wheel driving!
Clinical Nurse Manager (Remote Area) | Job No: 39214 | Location: Broome, WA • Do you want to really make a difference in your career? This is a unique opportunity to work with Indigenous communities in the spectacular Kimberley region! • Excellent remuneration package circa $85, 642 - $96, 566 PLUS an outstanding range of benefits including salary sacrifice, airfare, subsidised accommodation, district allowances, and electricity & telephone allowances.
Dialysis Nurse (Aboriginal Health) | Job No: 39211 | Location: Broome, WA • Unique opportunity to really make a difference as you work with Indigenous communities in the spectacular Kimberley region! • Excellent remuneration package circa $70, 036 - $73, 187 plus salary sacrifice. • Outstanding range of benefits including salary sacrifice, airfare, subsidised accommodation and allowances. • Enjoy an incredible 5 weeks leave per year, giving you time to explore the magnificent sights of the Kimberley region.
For further information and to apply for these opportunities, please visit www.kamsc.org.au
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Calling all...
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Mediserve Nursing Agency welcomes Nurses from Australia and New Zealand... Join the preferred supplier of Nurses today!
Positions available throughout regional, rural and all capital cities Phone: 1300 305 594 Visit us at www.mediserve.com.au 9 Email: nurses@mediserve.com.au 12
18, 19 22- 24
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A CHANGE is as good as A HOLIDAY
MIDWIFERY positions available throughout Australia • • • • •
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CQ Nurse, Australia’s premier nursing agency, has contracts available NOW. Various positions available throughout regional, rural and remote Australia
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yours to
discover 27
RntoMBBS-nursingPost FPcol:Layout 1
9/3/12
What I like about OUM is that I can continue to work part time and continue my studies in medicine. The ability to combine my studies with the cases I was seeing in the hospital really enhanced my education. Vivian Ndukwe, RN from Melbourne, OUM Class of 2012
9:21 PM
Page 1
The best way to improve my career is to go into medicine. I could have gone to a local uni, but I chose OUM because I have the flexibility of studying at home and interacting with other people online. Phillip Denning, RN, from Sydney, OUM Class of 2016
With the course structure and support network of OUM, I am going to make my goal of becoming a physician. A good physician. Paris Pearce, Paramedic from Mackay, OUM Class of 2016
RN to MBBS
Your next logical step‌ become a physician. Earn your MBBS at Oceania University of Medicine OUM graduates currently work in Australia, New Zealand, and USA. Receive personal attention from your own Academic Advisor. Renowned, highly rated lecturers from top international medical schools. OUM graduates are eligible to sit for the AMC exam. New 5-year undergraduate MBBS program launching soon for experienced health professionals. New classes begin every January and August.
OCEANIA UNIVERSITY OF MEDICINE INTERNATIONALLY ACCREDITED
For more information visit www.RNtoMBBS.org or 1300 665 343
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Courses, Conferences and Events The National Primary Health Care Conference 2012
Discharge Planning & Service Integration Conference
Adelaide Convention Centre
L’Aqua, Cockle Bay Wharf, Sydney
8 - 10 November 2012 www.agpnforum.com.au
12 - 13 Febrauary 2013 http://reducingreadmission.com/?utm_ source=Nursing%2BPost&utm_ medium=Banner&utm_campaign=4702
South Pacific Nurses Forum Leonda by the Yarra, Melbourne 19 - 22 November 2012 http://www.spnf.org.au/
Aged Care Nurse Managers Conference
Aged Care: Reform or Revolution Tri-State Conference & Exhibition Albury Entertainment Centre, Albury, NSW 24 - 26 Febrauary 2013 www.vic.lasa.asn.au/event/tristate2013
Caulfield Racecourse, Station street, Melbourne 21 - 22 November 2012 www.totalagedservices.com.au
14th National Breast Care Nurse Conference Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
Indigenous Allied Health Australia National Conference Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre 22 - 24 November 2012 www.indigenousalliedhealth.com.au
28 February - 1 March 2013 http://www.bcnconference.net.au/
12th National Rural Health Conference Adelaide Convention Centre, SA 7 - 10 April 2013 http://nrha.org.au/12nrhc/
2012 National Indigenous Health Conference: Many Pathways, One Outcome
7th Australian Women’s Health Conference
5 - 7 December 2012 www.indigenoushealth.net
7 - 10 May 2013 www.womenshealth2013.org.au
Palliative Care Nurses Australia 2012 Conference
ICN 25th Quadrennial Congress Equity and Access to Health Care
Watermark Hotel, Gold Coast
The Sebel Albert Park, Melbourne 10 - 11 December 2012 pcna.org.au
Sofitel Sydney Wentworth, Sydney
Convention and Exhibition Centre, Melbourne 18 - 23 May 2013 www.icn2013.ch 29
Nursing Post subscribers quote CC*NP when registering to SAVE $250!
Discharge Planning & Service Integration Reducing readmissions & length of stay
12th & 13th february 2013, l’aqua, cockle Bay Wharf, Sydney
Key speakers
Learn how to Adopt a patient centred model to reduce acute length of stay
Professor Clifford Hughes AO Chief Executive Officer tHe clinical excellence coMMiSSion, nSW
Rachael Henson Program Manager Performance & Innovation act HealtH
Andrew Stripp Deputy Chief Executive & Chief Operating Officer alfred HealtH, Vic
David Roffe Chief Information Officer St VincentS & Mater HealtH, nSW
See inside for more speakers
Improve efficiency of clinical handovers to reduce delays Build better integration between hospital specialty services & primary care Develop effective care coordination & pathways to reduce readmissions Featuring evidence based case studies by leading health care providers!
Pre & Mid Conference Workshops Workshop A
Workshop B
How to reduce avoidable admissions
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VE NEW N UE !
The IAHA National Conference & AGM is now Bigger, Better and has a NEW VENUE!! Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre Cnr Merivale and Glenelg Streets South Bank, Brisbane
Indigenous Allied Health Australia Inc.
2012 National Conference & AGM Joining the Dots ... An Interprofessional Approach to Indigenous Health Indigenous Allied Health Australia 22-24 November 2012Inc.
2012 National Conference
Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, Southbank
Joining the Dots Registrations are ... still open so if you haven’t already done so, REGISTER NOW! An Interprofessional Approach to Indigenous Health
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Applications now accepted for Flinders University courses in Remote Health Graduate Certificate in Remote Health Practice Graduate Diploma in Remote Health Practice
These courses aim to meet the higher education needs of health professionals who work in remote areas and for nurses transitioning to the specialty of Remote Area Nursing or who have an interest in joining the remote health workforce. The courses articulate to allow progression from Graduate Certificate through to Master’s level .
For Further Information contact the student administrator Ph: (08) 89514700 or Email: crh.studentadmin @flinders.edu.au
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REGISTRATIONS NOW OPEN EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION CLOSES 14 FEBRUARY 2013
18–23
Equity and Access to Health Care 18–23
The International Council of Nurses 25th Quadrennial Congress – the largest international nursing event is coming to Australia in May 2013 The ICN Congress will feature many dynamic speakers including Her Royal Highness Princess Muna Al-Hussein, who will deliver the keynote address, and Anne Marie Rafferty, who will present the Virginia Henderson lecture. It will also feature a Student Nurses Assembly and the Florence Nightingale International Foundation Luncheon in support of the Girl Child Education Fund.E NOW!
For further information about the Congress or to register please visit www.icn2013.ch
AUSTRALIAN COLLEGE OF NURSING RCNA & TCoN
Leading nursing expertise and care
through access, learning and advocacy
Australian College of Nursing Australian member of ICN
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Healthy recipes... What you will need: • • • •
•
•
Olive oil Smoked paprika Rosemary, finely chopped Kale (I used cavolo nero, but you can use the curly leaved ones if you can find them) Raw mixed nuts or your preferred nuts (I used Macro Natural Raw Mixed nuts) Salt to taste
Method: (1) Preheat oven to 170 degrees Celsius/ 338 degrees F. Line baking tray with baking paper. (2) Mix olive oil, smoked paprika and chopped rosemary in a small bowl. Set aside. (3) Slice the tip of kale leaves into smaller pieces. Then start triming the “leaf” part from the stem when you reach the tougher section. Repeat with the remaining kale. (4) Toss kale with seasoned oil and salt in a large bowl and arrange the kale on the baking tray. Make sure they don’t overlap. (5) Bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until they are crispy. Transfer the kale chips to a flat plate. Then toss the raw nuts with oil and roast for 10 minutes. (6) To serve: mix the kale chips with the roasted nuts. 34
Kale Chips and Nut Mix
Chickpeas & Quinoa Salad What you will need: Salad Ingredients: • 400g / 14 oz canned chickpeas • 1/4 cup uncooked quinoa & boiling water to cook the quinoa • 1 tomato • 1 lebanese cucumber • 1/2 red onion • A handfull of parsley • 2 tbsp pre-sliced kalamata olives Lemon Vinaigrette: • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil • Juice of 1/2 lemon • 1/2 tsp cumin powder Yoghurt Dressing: • 200g / 7 oz Greek yoghurt • Juice of 1/2 lemon • 1 garlic clove • A pinch of salt (adjust to your taste) • 1 tbsp maple syrup (adjust to your taste) • Chives or spring onion (optional)
Method: (1) Rinse quinoa over a fine mesh. Then add 1/2 cup boiling water into a pot together with quinoa and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes until the water is fully absorbed over low heat. (2) Drain chickpeas and rinse with some boiling water over a fine mesh. Set aside in a large mixing bowl. Then move on to dicing the cucumber (roughly), remove the core of the tomato and dice roughly, chop parsley and slice onion finely. Set all aside in the mixing bowl with the chickpeas as well as olives. When the quinoa is cooked, add it into the bowl also. (3) Whisk all the vinaigrette ingredients with a fork. Set aside. (4) In a separate bowl, whisk yoghurt until fluffy and add grated garlic. Then add a pinch of salt and maple syrup. Whisk again until the ingredients are well combine. Add chopped chives or spring onion and stir well. (6) To serve: Dress the salad with vinaigrette, then top with yoghurt dressing. Add more chopped chives if you like.
Emily Tan of Fuss Free Cooking joins us fortnightly to share her delicious healthy recipes... www.fussfreecooking.com 35
New Zealand Nurses Wanted! Call us today!
We provide: • Free flights to Australia and
back to New Zealand
• Best rates with wages paid weekly • Superannuation 9% of wages • Full insurance for Nurses and Midwives • City/Rural contracts long and short term • Arranged accommodation
Mediserve is seeking Registered Nurses, Midwives and Specialty Nurses from New Zealand to work across Australia We have positions available throughout regional, rural and all capital cities Freecall from NZ: 0800 9325 1332
(Please ring between 3-10pm NZ local time) Email: nurses@mediserve.com.au
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“Nurses who have worked in remote locations for longer periods have such interesting stories.� Sharon Gibbard, Registered Nurse from Melbourne
Visit the new RAHC website
to read my story and learn more about a challenging and rewarding role that will cater to your interests, availability and skills and become part of the effort to close the gap in Indigenous health. Funded by the Australian Government
Help us spread the word
Follow us on Facebook
facebook.com/RemoteAreaHealthCorps
Visit our new website
Get involved.
rahc.com.au free call 1300 697 242