Nursing Post - Issue 21

theNursingPost www.nursingpost.com.au

The Career and Education magazine for Nurses and Health Professionals

1 November 2010 - Issue 21

Calling All Join the Preferred Supplier of Nurses today!

So why worry about your next shift?

Relax when you join Mediserve Nursing AgencyToday!

Adelaide Brisbane Darwin Perth Melbourne Sydney (08) 8212 2595 (07) 3229 2528 (08) 8981 2446 (08) 9325 1332 (03) 9629 3780 (02) 9290 2700

Mediserve has been selected as one of the panel of agencies to supply nurses to the state Governments of South Australia, Western Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory. This means nurses working with Mediserve have first preference for job vacancies in these states.

Country Positions Australia Wide Currently many vacancies in NSW & QLD

Nurses from all specialities urgently required for country work. Numerous positions available Australia wide and especially in NSW & QLD hospitals.

For more information please contact our friendly consultants on:

1300 305 594 email: nurses@mediserve.com.au

Metropolitan (City) Positions

Brisbane & Sydney (Nurses wanted urgently)

We are seeking nurses from all specialities for vacancies in various Public and Private metropolitan hospitals. Currently there are many positions available in both Brisbane & Sydney.

Liina (Brisbane) on (07) 3229 2528 email: brisbane@mediserve.com.au Stephanie (Sydney) on (02) 9290 2700 email: sydney@mediserve.com.au

Tasmania (Nurses wanted urgently)

We require Nurses urgently for placements in hospitals throughout Tasmania.

Numerous benefits available including Travel and Accommodation assistance.

Please cal Vijay on 1300 305 594 email: nurses@mediserve.com.au

Darwin, Perth & Melbourne

Numerous vacancies in Royal Darwin and Darwin Private hospitals and various positions available for Nurses in Perth and Melbourne Metro Hospitals.

Irene (Darwin) on (08) 8981 2446 email: darwin@mediserve.com.au Viren (Perth) on: (08) 9325 1332 email: perth@mediserve.com.au Rima (Melbourne) on (03) 9629 3780 email: melbourne@mediserve.com.au

For Australia Wide positions call 1300 305 594 or call one of our offices throughout Australia

From the Editor...

Welcome to Issue 21!

Congratulations to Mariela Chisari for submitting the winning photo for this issue’s front cover competition. Mariela and the other ladies from the photo all work at Kareena Private Hospital in Caringbah NSW. According to Mariela, the “Four Kareena Private Hospital Midwives with more than 110 years of midwifery experience between them, combined they have delivered over 10,000 babies in their careers.” Well done Mariela for submitting such an adorable photo of baby too.

And well done to the ladies and the wonderful work they do.

Make sure you turn to page 22 to read a well written and inspirational story submitted by reader Lawrence Whyte. It offers an interesting glimpse into the working environment nurses had to practice in. Thanks for submitting your story and a prize will be delivered to you shortly Lawrence. If you have an interesting story, submit it and we might just print it...and plus there’s a prize. Turn to page 38 for more details on how and what to submit.

We are once again delivering a Diary to all our subscribers for Christmas. Be sure to sign up to our newsletter before December to receive your 2011 Diary in the post.

Advertisers Index

Mediserve Nursing Agency ....................

Promesse ...............................................

IPA ........................................................

Australian Recruiting Group ..................

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Alliance Health .....................................

CQ Nurse ..............................................

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Continental Travel Nurse ........................

Queensland Health ...............................

RAHCs ...................................................

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WA Country Health Service ...................

Nursecare Personnel ..............................

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Inside Cover, 4 3, 18, 40-41 5 6 7 7 8 9 10 11 11 12 13 14-15 16, 23 17 18

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Diary

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Sign up to our Newsletter and get your Nursing Post 2011 Diary.

Subscribe before December to get your Diary in the post.

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Nursing Agency Australia .......................

Austra Health ........................................

Pulse International .................................

Hays Healthcare .....................................

20 21 25 Back Cover

ABN: 28 105 044 282 PO BOX 6213, East Perth, WA, 6892 Ph: +(618) 9325 3917 | Fax: +(618) 9325 4037 E: admin@nursingpost.com.au W: www.nursingpost.com.au Next Publication Details: Issue 22: 15 November 2010 Material Deadline: 8 November 2010 Editor: Kelvin Chong Printed by Westcare Pty Ltd For media-kits, deadlines or advertising queries, please contact Manish Shah

Arabia will expand your horizons Giraffes on the farmland fringing the Serengeti National Park

We’ve all seen those amazing films and documentaries

The modern nations of the region need the skills of

about Africa and fantasised about romantic safari

Western nurses to help build their healthcare systems.

holidays. Once the province of the rich and famous, they

This makes them very generous employers who cover

are now really affordable - not so much from Australia

most of your living expenses free of charge. And at the

or NZ with their long air routes, but from Arabia. It’s

right hospitals - the ones we can tell you about - you’ll

less than a four-hour flight from the cities of the Gulf to

find excellent opportunities for career advancement and

Nairobi in Kenya, gateway to the wonders of eastern

ongoing education.

Africa, and the travel bargains available from the Gulf are truly amazing.

You must have expert advice to make the most of the opportunities on offer - see the examples on our double

Gulf salary arrangements make spectacular holidays like

page ad in this issue. Promesse specialises exclusively

this so accessible. When you can easily save up to 85%

in placements to the Arabian Gulf, so we really do know

of your gross pay (there’s no income tax of course), you

what we’re talking about - and we’re free and friendly too.

can easily afford to visit the parts of the world you never

So for the experience of a lifetime, call Christine Kohleis

really thought you’d get to see.

RN for an informative chat.

FREECALL 1800 002 388 AUS 0800 542 100 NZ experts on the gulf

www.promesse.com.au Email: info@promesse.com.au

S A U D I A R A B I A • U A E • Q A T A3 R

Nursing in Australia its never been easier

Mediserve has numerous vacancies for nurses at City hospitals in Adelaide, Brisbane, Darwin, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney and in Rural hospitals Australia wide!

Mediserve is also seeking Registered Nurses, Midwives and Specialty Nurses from New Zealand for work in Australia.

We provide:

Mediserve has been selected to the panel of agencies supplying nurses for the state Governments of South Australia, Western Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory. This means nurses working with Mediserve have first preference for job vacancies in these states.

• Best Rat Rates of pay (Wages paid weekly) • Superannuation payments of 9% on wages • Full insurance cover for Nurses & Midwives • Over 10 years of experience in placing local and NZ nurses • City shifts and Country/Rural contracts • Long or Short term contracts • Arranged Accommodation • Jobs for all specialities and skills

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Free flights after 10 week contract in Rural locations throughout Australia

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CITY SHIFTS

Free flights after 12 weeks working for any major metropolitan hospitals in Australia Australian Nurses: 1300 305 594 NZ Nurses Freecall: 0800 9325 1332 (Please ring between 3pm-10pm NZ local time) email: nurses@mediserve.com.au

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For more information on how we can assist you, please contact IPA Healthcare, Ginny for personalised information on temporary nursing assignments or Vicky, if you’re looking for a more permanent position!

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RN with Aged Care Management Experience

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Corumbene provides personalised quality care to each resident and client through building an environment of continuous improvement and being an employer of choice. Due to the retirement of the current Director of Care, this position is now available for an experienced Registered Nurse (RN) with management experience in aged care.

As the Director of Care, it will be your responsibility to ensure a high level of care is being delivered through the management of human, physical and financial resources. This is an exciting time to join Corumbene with a range of developments currently under way and planned for the future.

To be successful in this critical role you will be a RN with experience in aged care, have previous experience managing and leading staff, the ability to make key business decisions, and have outstanding communication and interpersonal skills.

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Get out there. Rural and remote advanced nursing and midwifery opportunities with Queensland Health Nowhere else will you experience the same level of professional support that Queensland Health offers advanced nurses and midwives working in our rural and remote communities. Whether you’re searching for a rewarding career change, or want a change of pace, Queensland Health offers incentives and pathways for experienced nurses and midwives to make the move.

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Beverley Hamerton, District Director of Nursing, Torres Strait Northern Peninsula Health Service District and Nort Northe No rthe rt her he ern rn P Pen enin en nin insu ssula la aH Healt ealth lth h Servic Serv Se vic ice ce D Di isttri istrict rict ctt

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From Your World Medical Recruitment, Laurinda Rio-Copeland will be bringing you a snippet of the market and views from nursing professionals across Australia.

is also clear that a number of aged care facilities are burdened with staffing issues, “although an abundance of applications was received the conversion rate was only 10-15%”

This issue sees us dive into a complex subject that is at the forefront of today’s medical industry, one can only begin to express the challenges faced in aged care today; sadly, the lack of quality staff being at the top of the list.

In talking to aged care facilities around Australia, there seems to be a general consensus that “it is a challenge to attract well qualified staff; sadly aged care is neither hugely attractive nor well paid.” The wage gap of approximately $300 per week in aged care deters nurses from joining the sector.

Strenuous working hours and poor public image further contribute to the lack of quality staff within this sector. For this reason, nurses are often left disheartened when appointed such positions.

The number of Australians aged 65 to 84 will double by 2050; simultaneously, generation Baby Boomers are nearing retirement, which is affecting the current declining rate of nurses. The ratio of aged care residents per nurse will double in the coming decades.

Constant financial pressure paired with a system that is plagued with pre-existing staff and bed shortages, has now put Australia’s aged care in a situation where drastic changes need to be made.

To meet the increasing demands of aged care and to attract more qualified staff to the sector is not going to be an easy task.

According to the recently released report The Future of Aged Care in Australia, in the next 20 years; as the demand for labour is escalating, the sector will see emerging critical shortages. By 2020, demand for labour in aged care is estimated to hit 56.8% versus an expected supply of 14.1%. One can understand the ongoing public debate and concern in regards to this matter. Taking these shocking facts into consideration, it 14

Aged care providers are implementing new strategies and plans to retain staff and to attract future quality employees; an example of this is the promotion of graduate programs within aged care. A key development that has been largely welcomed from the outset is the introduction of CNE points “This is a fantastic step in the right direction and will ensure that clinical skills are maintained.”

Funding, regulations, education and overall quality are on the list of things “to do” for The Hon. Mark Butler MP, who has recently taken the lead within the Department of Health and Ageing. Whether or not this is one of the most serious reforms to date, his appointment and opening suggestions could not have come at a better time.

If you have any comments on the above article or would like your voice heard please write to Laurinda on Laurinda@ywrec.com.au.

YOUR WORLD MEDICAL AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND

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Nurses…Various casual shifts available across reputable facilities all over Sydney

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For a confidential discussion regarding your Nursing career, call Laurinda now on (02) 9411 7440. Alternatively, send an email to: Laurinda@ywrec.com.au

member

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Nursecare Personnel is Tasmania’s own nursing agency providing professional personnel to the healthcare industry Our services: Placement of appropriately skilled staff to meet your specific shift need.

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Our employee benefits: Referral bonus schemes & incentives Seasonal promotional offers Education calendar, FREE access to competency update modules Discounts on health insurance packages Travel discounts, shopping promotions, financial services – Australia wide Choice, variety & flexibility – of shift, facility, region – to suit your lifestyle!

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It pays to see the world from Arabia Hi everyone, It’s been some time since I discussed the travel opportunities available to nurses who take up positions in the Arabian states of the Gulf such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar.

During the recent trip to Australia & New Zealand organised with one of our hospitals in Saudi Arabia, the DON from the hospital regaled us with the tales of her recent travel adventures since she’d arrived in Saudi Arabia just over a year ago. She’d been to Turkey, France, Greece, India, to the Valley of the Kings in Egypt, visited skiing chalets in Lebanon, crusader castles in Syria as well as lots of short trips to Abu Dhabi, Jeddah etc, and I’m sure I’ve missed a few.

And she’s not the only one – we often get postcards of some exotic locale from our nurses who have taken up staff nurse positions and are taking the opportunities offered to see the world.

The basic reasons why our nurses do so much travelling are pretty clear. Firstly, you have the free cash to afford to travel because you retain about 85% of your gross salary after your everyday expenses are taken care of. You just can’t do that in any Western country because of income tax alone. Other savings from free accommodation, utilities, transport, gym fees and so on all add up rapidly. And if you’re like me you’re finding the cost of living at home quite steep and getting steeper.

You have plenty of time off to allow you to travel. This is a combination of about 7.5 weeks annual leave coupled with many extra days off between shift blocks. For nurse on shifts, you typically work 7-8 days per fortnight, which means that it’s quite common for nurses to go away for several days without using any of their annual leave at all! For example, when I was working in Saudi, I had a great four days in Paris using my days off.

Travel is generally inexpensive from the Gulf as compared to Australia and New Zealand because there is a very competitive

travel market and because you’re much closer to Europe, Africa, India etc. This means there are some really fabulous travel bargains. Also, exploring the local region itself can be fascinating and doesn’t cost a lot as there are large numbers of inexpensive trips organised by your hospital’s recreation department (assuming you go to work at a good hospital). For example, diving trips to Jacques Cousteau’s haunts in the Red Sea reefs, the rock temples of Petra, white-washed coastal villages in Oman or just the bright lights of Abu Dhabi or Dubai are readily accessible.

Also working in the Gulf means working with a huge variety of different nationalities which is both rewarding and challenging at times. It’s a place to make lifelong friends and many of our nurses have really enjoyed trips to their friends’ home countries, like Ireland, Finland or the Czech Republic for example, where there’s nothing like having a local show you around.

Most people don’t get the opportunity to travel extensively very many times in their lives. To be able to do so while being paid, living a comfortable lifestyle in top quality accommodation and having the opportunity to further develop your career due the rapid expansion of the Gulf healthcare scene means we nurses are very fortunate.

Obviously, to get all these benefits, you need to go to work at a good hospital that looks after its overseas nurses and that’s where Promesse comes in - we can help you to make the right choice.

Travel was one of my major goals when I went to work in Saudi and I certainly achieved it - among others. We can help you do the same.

Chris Christine Kohleis RN Recruitment Director Promesse

FREECALL 1800 002 388 AUS 0800 542 100 NZ 18

experts on the gulf

www.promesse.com.au Email: info@promesse.com.au

ASSOCIATE NURSE UNIT MANAGER (CCU) 2 ROLES AVAILABLE - PERMANENT DAY OR NIGHT

• Private Hospital in East Melbourne • Critical or Coronary experience essential • Great entry level management role • Perfect springboard for an experienced RN The hospital has a busy Coronary Care Unit and are currently looking to find two ANUM’s (one for permanent day duty and one for permanent night duty) who can provide clinical assistance to the team whilst supporting the NUM with the day to day management of the unit. To be successful in this role you will need to have: ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤

At least 3-4 years nursing experience within Coronary Care, post graduate certificate an advantage Post graduate certificate in Critical or Cardiac care Ability to mentor and assist other team members Excellent interpersonal, leadership and communication skills Current VIC Nurse’s registration

For a confidential discussion about this role please contact Nicky Vamvoukakis (02) 9223 5600 or email nickyv@healthstaff.net.au. For a wide range of nursing and healthcare positions please visit www.healthstaffsolutions.com.au

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www.austrahealth.com.au 21

Whats your Story?

A Moment of Inspiration submitted by Lawrence Whyte

I

was a young second year student nurse in the 1970’s and one of the rituals of the ward was the Consultants round. Each weekday the Consultant did his daily round. A parade of white coats led by their be-suited leader would visit each patient’s bedside and check the progress of each case. The more junior doctors were quizzed and questioned about the patients’ ailments, including aetiology, treatment and prognosis of the condition by the Consultant, often in a tempestuous manner.

Our progressive Ward Sister advocated the involvement of one or two students nurses to this ‘learning experience’. We followed the trail usually standing at the back and quietly listening as our medical colleagues were being put under pressure to provide the right answers in rapid time.

Failure to do so would result in retribution or at least embarrassment for the junior doctors involved. As student nurses, standing behind the parade, we were able to observe the trepidation and apprehension of the medical staff waiting in dreaded anticipation for a question to come their way.

Ironically there were times when I thought I knew the answers to some of the questions. But having witnessed the punitive and humiliating treatment of the others in the ward round I was reluctant to say anything.

My perception was that doctors were superior beings in terms of their education and cognisance about medical sciences. In my mind they were reified almost god like creatures. Conversely I was at the age of nineteen, a shy and unassuming young nurse.

I studied hard and kept my head down so as not to bring attention to myself. I had yet to develop the confidence that would in later life allow me to address large audiences 22

at conferences or managing students in a classroom situation. Even the thought of asking a question in nursing classes immediately had me struggling for words and blushing with embarrassment.

Yet I knew that I wanted to change this aspect of myself both in my professional and personal life. I made a commitment to answer a question at the daily Consultant round. I observed that often the most testing questions revolved around new admissions to the ward. Here the Consultant could flex his intellectual muscle by probing the junior doctors for information about cases they would have only briefly encountered.

The previous evening a gentleman had been admitted with a chest infection. This was complicated by the fact that he had a condition known as ‘Wolff-Parkinson-White’ syndrome. I had the opportunity to interview this man and to look up information on his condition prior to the next days ward round.

I could not be sure that I would even be allowed to participate in the Consultants round or that he would ask a question about this little known syndrome. But I vowed that in order to overcome my inhibitions and take a step towards a more confident me I had to initiate some type of drastic action. I swotted up on the causes, symptoms and treatment of the condition.

When the ward round began I attached myself, as usual, to the back of the group.

The Ward Sister had thankfully identified me as one of the student nurses to ‘follow the round’. The parade systematically made its way from bed to bed. As it got closer to Mr K so my trepidation grew. The Consultant seemed to be in a particularly venomous mood and was cruelly but playfully seeking to humiliate his junior charges.

Finally we came to Mr K’s bed.

Brusquely the Consultant asked “What’s

bought this chap into hospital?”

The Registrar replied “Chest Infection predominately but complicated by WolffParkinson-White Syndrome” “Interesting” said the Consultant before facing his captive audience “and which of you brave people are going to tell me about Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome?”

There was silence. This was only broken by the soft shoe shuffling as the junior doctors tried to retreat away from the Consultants gaze. I observed their heads being down and their eyes being cemented to the ground. This was my chance. I swallowed hard and spat out in rapid delivery “It’s a cardiac condition sir, in which there is an extra electrical circuit in the heart”.

In front of me a sea of white coats parted. All eyes were focused on me. The Consultant examined, with a microscopic eye, the source of the timid response.

“Well done Nurse, what are some of the symptoms?”

“A person with Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome is likely to experience dizziness, light headedness and palpitations. Oh and it can give rise to episodes of rapid heart rate” “Splendid Nurse” he said “Sister you are putting the medical profession to shame by the way you are educating your Nurses so well” Then with a flurry he turned and marched the parade down towards the next patients’ bed. I stood there transfixed, my mouth open in disbelief of what I had done.

Then I slowly started to smile. I had broken the barriers to my inhibitions. I had spoken publically in a pressurised situation and been rewarded and not admonished for my actions.

From this point on my confidence grew as a Nurse and a person. I began to believe in myself and my abilities as a Nurse to make a contribution. My perceptions about Nursing changed. I was different but not inferior to a doctor. I had the right to challenge and question like any other person.

I could learn about medical science as well as anybody else. This became a turning point in my life...

Government of Western Australia

WA Country Health Service

Clinical Nurse Specialist Infection Control ANF SRN Level 3 $85,642 pa Permanent Full Time 76 hrs per f/n Position Number: CH613758 Location: Port Hedland Job Description: We are seeking a to fill the exciting regional role of Clinical Nurse Specialist Infection Control based at Port Hedland Hospital .Essential to be able to travel within the region and stay away overnight The successful applicant will be responsible for the development and coordination of WA Country Health Service – Pilbara Infection Control Program.

They will also provide a clinical resource/advisory service on infection control to all units within the WACHS – Pilbara and assist all units to meet ACHS accreditation standards.

Manage Infection Control program at Port Hedland Hospital and be an active member of the WACHS Infection Control network.

Selection Criteria: Available on line at www.jobs.wa.gov.au Other Conditions: This position is subject to a Working With Children (WWC) Check. For further information please refer to the WWC website at: http://www.checkwwc.wa.gov.au/default.htm Further Information: Enquiries are encouraged and should be directed to Andrew Smith on 08 9158 1456.

Application Instructions: Applicants are requested to apply online at http://www.jobs.wa.gov.au Applicants are advised to write and attach their statement addressing the selection criteria. Applicants should have their current resume/curriculum vitae and application addressing the selection criteria complete and ready to attach, prior to clicking on the “Apply for Job” button. You will be asked five questions during this process, and to then attach your documentation, so it is recommended to allow enough time to complete these requests.

Alternatively you can request for an application kit to be sent to you by calling (08) 9480 9307.

PLEASE BE AWARE THAT PROFORMA, EMAILED AND LATE APPLICATIONS CANNOT BE ACCEPTED. Closing Date: 4.00 pm, Monday 15th November 2010 adcorp F49049

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Educational Courses, Conferences and Events

Ausmed Publications ................................................................... 27 Oceania University ....................................................................... 28 College of Nursing ....................................................................... 28 ArtiCle - teleNursing: What is it? .............................................. 29 Grayclay (Medical Aesthetics education) ...................................... 30 Perioperative Nurses College of NZNO ......................................... 31 ArtiCle - When a Patient Dies ................................................... 32 SAPNA - review, evaluate and explore......................................... 33 innvatins in OH&S ....................................................................... 34 Aboriginal and torres Strait Healthcare 2010 .............................. 35 Simulation and Beyond ............................................................... 36 Directing Policy to Action ............................................................. 37 26

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RN to MBBS Earn your MBBS at Oceania University of Medicine ~ Samoa

OUM-NP RNtoMBBS01/10cmyk

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Your next logical step Become a physician

OCEANIA UNIVERSITY OF MEDICINE For information visit

or 1300 665 343

The College of Nursing creating nursing’s future

CPD Online is here

CPD hours!

WHAT? The College of Nursing Online Continuing Professional Development courses.

WHY? Because you can manage your continuing professional development in your time, at your pace and in your space.

WHERE? They’re online! Go to: http://cnnectcpd.nursing.edu.au

ENROL ONLINE NOW! CON 1011 Nursing Post 136x96.indd 28

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21/10/10 7:29 PM

Telenursing: What is it?

T Telehealth focuses on delivery, management and coordination of services and care. Furthermore, the nurse’s scope of practice and the nursing process is the same as in traditional nursing (Stowkowski, 2008).

Telenursing can provide many important functions to people who might not otherwise have access to quality medical care, as well as those who do. Telenursing can perform the following functions: • Monitoring patients who are suffering from a chronic disease • Coordinating care for patients with complicated diseases or conditions, or numerous co-morbidities • Teaching patients to manage their disease symptoms

Some of the advantages of utilizing telenursing are:

• nurses can help more patients in less time due to the fact that there is no travel involved for the nurse • less nurses are required to reach more people • emergency room visits and hospitalizations may be decrease as patients don’t have to wait as long to be “seen” • patients can be monitored more closely • call centres can answer questions that are within their scope, reassuring

patients and saving them a visit to the ER, or identify patients that need to be seen sooner than the patient may have thought, thus saving lives • providers can collaborate more easily via the use of technology, saving both money and time • telenursing can improve patient compliance to prescribed care • patients who are discharged early from the hospital can be monitored at home for complications

Obstacles to Telenursing include the following:

• acceptance by patients who prefer to see health care providers face-to-face • initial cost outlay may be prohibitively high • privacy is an ongoing concern • security of data • reimbursing providers (may be difficult to track and prove) The future of nursing is here, and we can expect to see more use of technology in nursing care rather than less. It will be up to all of us to adapt to this new way of nursing and also to “sell it to the masses”. As the technology is refined we can also expect more issues to be raised, and methods of coping with obstacles to telenursing will be the responsibility of all nurses who use this technology.

Continued Professional Development provided by AusmedOnline Comment on this clinical article at: www.ausmedonline.com/nursing-blog.html Source: Stokowski, L. (2008). Healthcare Anywhere: The Pledge of Telehealth. Sourced on the web September 7, 2010 http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/581800

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elenursing can be defined as using telecommunication devices to provide nursing care, utilizing the nursing process to care for individuals or specific patient populations, such as isolated groups of people.

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REGISTRATION BROCHURE

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When a Patient Dies N

urses are often asked how they can stand being a part of death, whether it comes in the form of an unpleasant accident that no one (least of all the victim) was expecting, or it comes at the end of a long, painful illness.

We often glibly answer, “You get used to it”. But do we ever get used to losing patients, and how do we move on when we lose a patient that we felt a particular affinity for?

Nurses are not inhuman- we care.

If we didn’t care, we wouldn’t be in the profession we are in. Oftentimes, we must “hold ourselves together” to do for the patient and family, withholding our own feelings until we have a quiet moment to reflect on what the loss of a particular patient means to us individually. Not all losses are equal; sometimes the loss of a patient is more significant because we felt close to the patient or their family members. Some patients strike a chord deep within us for various reasons. Sometimes we do not know why we feel attached to certain patients while remaining aloof from others. Because we are human, we can expect that in the course of our careers, losing some patients will wound us.

The first time such a loss is experienced can be very difficult.

Most nurses can clearly recall several years after the fact the circumstances 32

surrounding their first patient death.

Hopefully, when it happens, we are supported by our colleagues and shown that grieving is an inevitable part of our job at some point. Some patients will touch us more than others.

How do we cope with losses such as these? Nurses employ various methods of coping to help get them through. Some cry, some pray, some speak to family members and reminisce, some insist on preparing the patient’s body themselves as a way to say their final farewell.

What is clear is that, without some method of coping with loss, nurses would be unable to continue to do their job. In fact, this is the case with some nurses who experience burnout.

This is why it is so important for nurses to support one another through the limited grieving process that we all experience when a patient dies, and to learn to recognize the signs in themselves and others that point toward ineffective coping.

Some suggestions: • Allow yourself to experience grief when a patient you were close to dies. Being professional does not mean that we must have hearts of stone. Allow yourself to feel badly, to cry and to express your emotions.

we lose a patient can be long and hard days that leave us feeling exhausted physically, mentally and emotionally. Treat yourself to an activity you enjoy, get together with a close friend or do any activity which will restore you in all three spheres.

It can be difficult to suffer the loss of patients we care about. Recognizing that we are human and allowing ourselves to experience a sense of sadness related to loss is integral to remaining whole, able to perform our jobs with professionalism. As professionals, we owe it to our patients to care for ourselves so that we may be better able to care for them in their time of need.

Continued Professional Development provided by AusmedOnline Comment on this clinical article at: www.ausmedonline.com/nursing-blog.html

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• Express your sorrow to the patient’s family if you feel that it is appropriate and will be welcomed by the family. Families will often appreciate your hug, your stories about their loved ones or a sincere offer of sympathy for their loss.

• Reminisce about the patient with your coworkers. Oftentimes, your coworkers may need to talk, too.

Venting in this fashion can be cathartic for all concerned.

• Remember the patient in a journal.

Journaling can provide an outlet for emotion. You may want to start a journal for this purpose (without identifying patients by their full name, of course).

• Be good to yourself. The days when

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Supporting the Healthcare Workforce

18 –19 November 2010 Rydges on Swanston 701 Swanston St Melbourne, VIC

I N N O V A T I ON S in 34

OH&S

ABORIGINAL & TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER

HEALTHCARE 2010

Implementing a ‘strength-based’ approach to healthcare 23rd & 24th November 2010, Citigate Central Hotel, Sydney

Dr To T ny Hobbs Cootamundra Primary Health Centre

Brian Gleeson Coordinator General Remote Indigenous Service

T Tom Calma National Coordinator T ckling Indigenous Ta Smoking

Dr Chelsea Bond NAIDOC Scholar of the Year Y Winner 2009 Senior Researcher, Inala Community Health QLD Health

Florence Onus Chairwoman The Aboriginal & T rres Strait Islander To Healing Foundation

Mr Rob Heferen Deputy Secretary FaHCSIA

Jimmy Little Founder The Jimmy Little Foundation

Hon Ernie Bridge OMA CitWA WA JP W Unity of the First People Australia Fadwa Al-Yaman Y Yaman Australia Institute of Health & Welfare Brian Butler Stolen Generation Alliance Georgia Tac T ey Save The Children Azmiri Mian Country Health SA, Aboriginal Health Directorate Scott Wilson Aboriginal Drug & Alcohol Council Vicki Wade Sydney South West Area Health Service

BENEFITS OF ATTENDING: Understand the implications and opport r unities rt for the reform agenda Learn holistic strategies for creating successful community and Government partnerships r rtnerships W ys to manage chronic disease through Wa cultivating the Indigenous workforce Breaking the health cycle through generating opportunity and building community wellness Case studies to help you implement eff f ective ff healthcare service models

PRE & POST-CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS Workshop A

Workshop B

How to build good governance structures to strengthen health service delivery

How to implement culturally appropriate healing tools to break negative cycles

John Morgan & Eddie Mulholland Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation Prof Brian Layland Aboriginal Eye Care Clinic Karen Mercer FREO Street Doctor, r Fremantle GP Network r, k Musa Moss Katherine Regional Aboriginal Health & Related Services Vivien Bonner Pathways T To Prevention, Mission Australia Helma Quinn-Leeman Royal Flying Doctors Service of Australia Aunt L Lynne Matsen Moreton Bay Elders Counsel Dean Krause Inala Y Youth Service

"#$#%&'(#)!*+,

To Register!

1300 316 882

1300 918 334

registration@criterionconferences.com

www.indigenoushealthcare.com

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HEAR EXPERT COMMENTARY FROM:

HEAR INSIGHTS FROM:

Symposium : Simulation and beyond...

Mercure Resort Hunter Valley Gardens Corner Broke & McDonalds Roads Pokolbin NSW 2320

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November 25 and 26 2010

Symposium

Simulation and Beyond Creative teaching approaches for improving patient safety.

36

Directing Policy to Action:

the role of evidence-based clinical leadership in improving health and aged care.

Coming soon to Palace Nova Cinema Complex

Only in Adelaide, South Australia, 22nd to the 23rd of November 2010 www.joannabriggs.edu.au 37

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2010 National Australian Conference on Evidence-based Clinical Leadership

What’s your Story?

What we want to Read!

Tell us a touching, inspiring or any life-changing experiences in your nursing career Share your travel experiences from nursing in exciting locations in Australia and Overseas Send in funny tales from the ward that happened to you, a nurse colleague or a patient you looked after

Published

stories will win a

PRIZE (worth $100)

Submit your stories to:

Please Note

• All submissions selected for publication will be subject to editing.

• Include any images or photo’s that may be relevant to your story • Include your name, address, phone number, and email address.

• Story Length: 500 - 1500 words • Submit stories via email or Microsoft Word • Check online at: www.nursingpost.com.au complete for complete submission conditions

EMAIL: editor@nursingpost.com.au POST: The Nursing Post, PO BOX 6213, East Perth, WA, 6892 FAX: (08) 9325 4037

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Send us some happy snaps of you and

your colleagues from your ward and your photo st o P g n i s r u could be our next N the ls ofessiona Health Pr azine for ation mag uc Ed d an The Career

theNursingPost

cover!

The Career and Education magazine for Health Professionals

theNursing P

The Career and Educat ion

rsingp sue 009 - Is visit us online at: www.nu e mber 2 9 Nove hcare vacancies, pleas

22

ost

magazine for Health Professiona ls

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ost.com

est healt For the lat

23 November 2009 - Issue 23

For the latest healthcare vacancies, please visit us online at: www.nursingpost.com.au

Here is your chance to show off your photography skills (or modelling skills) by entering the Nursing Post photo competition. If selected you will be notified by email in which issue your photo will appear in. We would love a variety of work settings and ultimately there is no limitation on what your photo can be. You can submit as many times as you like!

Send us Photos of:

• individual or group shots • your colleagues or yourself working • special or social events • someone you think deserves to be credited

14 Dece mber 20 09 -

For the lat est healthc

are vacanc

Issue 2 4

ies, please vis

it us onlin

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Please note...

• When taking photos, the higher the quality (mega pixels, image size) the better.

• Please ensure that you have consent for photos in which you have photographed people where consent is required • By submitting photos to the competition you agree to allow the Nursing Post to use them in future publications

Submit your photos to: EMAIL: artwork@nursingpost.com.au POST: The Nursing Post, PO BOX 6213, East Perth, WA, 6892 39

experts on the gulf

A UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Arabian Peninsula, the 16th century mud-brick town of Shibam owes its fame to its many tower houses, 5 to 11 stories high, with each storey having one or two apartments.

This building technique was designed to protect residents from Bedouin attacks.

Shibam is known as the ‘Manhattan of the desert’ and is another example of the ingenuity of the people of the Peninsula over the centuries. Today their descendants 40 are building an excellent modern healthcare system,

New York on

No way - it’s another surprise

and they need the help of skilled, dedicated Western nurses to do it. At the right hospitals there are great opportunities for career advancement and continuing your education. You do need expert advice to make the most of the opportunities on offer - see the examples across the page. Promesse specialises exclusively in placements to the Arabian Gulf, so we know what we’re talking about - and we’re free and friendly too. So for the experience of a lifetime, call Christine Kohleis RN for an informative chat.

the beach? in the Arabian Peninsula

Shibam’s narrow streets were designed to thwart massed camel charges!

FREECALL

CURRENT VACANCIES ➤ United Arab Emirates Abu Dhabi Asst Director of Nursing Nurse Manager: Midwifery NUMs: Cardiac Cath Lab, ER, Labour & Delivery, Medical, OR, PACU, General Surgical, Orthopaedics, ICU CLINICAL NURSE EDUCATORS: Paediatrics RNs & SNR RNs: ER, ICU-General, ICU-Cardiac, Medical, Med/Surg, Midwives, OR General, Paeds, PICU. ➤ Saudi Arabia SNR NURSE MANAGERS/ADONS: Surgical Services & Cardiac Services (Tertiary Hospital) DIRECTOR OF NURSING EDUCATION NURSING SUPERVISORS NURSE MANAGER INFORMATICS NURSE MANAGER EQUIPMENT & PRODUCTS NURSE EDUCATORS CLINICAL NURSE EDUCATORS NUMs: CCU, ER, ICU-Cardiac, ICU- General, ICU-Paeds Cardiac, ICU-Paeds, ICU-Trauma, ICU-Neonates, Cardiac Cath Lab, Cardiac Medical HDU, Cardiac Surgery HDU, Medical, Oncology, OR/PACU, OR -Cardiac, Surgical , PACU, Paeds, Trauma ASS’T NUMs: Bone Marrow Transplant, Cardiac Cath Lab, Cardiac-HDU, Cardiac Telemetry, ER, OR, Paeds Cardiac, ICU-Paeds, OR/PACU, NonInvasive Cardiac Lab, Oncology CLINICAL NURSE EDUCATORS: Cardiac HDU, ER, ICU -Adult, ICU-Trauma, ICU-Burns, ICUCardiac, Med/Surg, Midwifery, NICU, OR , PACU PICU, Paeds, Paeds Cardiac HDU, L&D MIDWIVES NURSE COORDINATORS / TEAM LEADERS: ER, ER Trauma, CCU, Critical Care – all areas, Cardiac wards, Cardiac OR, Medical & Surgical, HDU, Haemodialysis, PACU, Oncology etc.

RNs: All areas - Cardiac, Crit Care, ER, ICU, HDU, Med, NICU, Paeds, Surgical, OR, PACU, Liver Transplant, Oncology, Paeds

AUS 1800 002 388 NZ 0800 542 100 Email: info@promesse.com.au www.promesse.com.au

experts on the gulf

REGISTERED NURSES BEGIN YOUR BRITISH EXPERIENCE Whether you’re a brand new Nurse looking for an exciting working holiday or an established Nurse looking for the next challenge to further your career; working in the UK could be a great option for you.

Leading the world in cultural delights including museums, galleries and theatre, and simultaneously offering a dense calendar of activities and music events, there is never a dull moment in London. In addition you are also only a hop, skip and jump from all of Europe, perfect for weekends and holidays!

Hays Healthcare is a leading specialist recruitment agency in the UK with a deep expertise in the industry.

Our global team have over five years experience helping enthusiastic Australian/NZ Registered Nurses secure work in the UK with a range of locum and permanent positions.

Hays UK currently have a great demand for Registered Nurses in varying specialties including Theatre/ Scrub, Anaesthetics, Cardiothoracics, Accident and Emergency, General Medical, Surgery, Critical Care and ITU. We understand that while the dream sounds amazing the reality of relocating can be daunting. Hays Healthcare offer full customer service to help you get through the paperwork, on a plane and in a job with ease!

Our personalised service also includes outstanding benefits including free UK and Australian police checks, assistance organising your ONP and a cash bonus for each friend you refer. Agency workers may also be eligible for generous paid annual leave and £500 pounds extra cash to spend however you like (based on minimum hours worked).

To learn more about healthcare opportunities in the UK, please contact: QLD / NT Rose Holden 07 3243 3023 rose.holden@hays.com.au NSW / WA Patrycia Lowicki 03 8562 4288 patrycia.lowicki@hays.com.au VIC / SA / TAS / NZ Kerrie Smith 03 8562 4288 or 0800 001 718 (Free Call NZ) kerrie.smith@hays.com.au

hays.com.au