theNursingPost The Career and Education magazine for Nurses and Health Professionals
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: New Year,
NEW CAREER! Take charge in 2012! Turn to page 12 now to read this feature!
23 January 2012
- ISSUE 01
Visit us online for the latest jobs and articles
N LIA ME A STR CHE AU NT S W E NE RNM VE GO
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THE BEST PEOPLE IN HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE 1
Welcome to Issue 1 From the Editor... Welcome back readers! Can you believe it’s 2012 already? Another year on, and here we are. For some of us, 2012 means starting again, trying something new, taking the leap and making the change. Inside this issue’s feature, New Year, New Career, we’ve compiled a few tips and tricks to help you get on track to a better career for 2012. After all, most of our days are spent at work. It’s a big part of all our lives, so why not make the most of it? Secondly, I must congratulate Annie Piper on a brilliant photo of the staff at Westmead Private Hospital, who were rostered on the NYE night shift. Here’s what Annie said about her photo,
for the first time. Even though we were all rostered to work I thoroughly enjoyed the NYE night shift. I was very proud of the fantastic atmosphere here with such an outstanding team of colleagues.” Thank you for a wonderful submission Annie! We hope you enjoy this issue readers. Next issue, we’ll be bringing you the latest news and jobs for nurses wishing to work oversees. International Nursing! Stay tuned and take care readers. 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
“There were 16 of us rostered on the NYE night shift and we all enjoyed a wonderful get-together to see in the New Year. All staff brought a food contribution to share with each other and there was a wonderful vibe in the air despite several of the staff meeting
Next Publication Details: Issue 02: 6 February 2012 Material Deadline: 30 January 2012
Inside this Issue New Year - New Career
Next Issue International Nursing
Editor / Artwork: Amrit Bhabra For media-kits, deadlines or advertising queries, please contact Amrit Bhabra. Printed by Westcare Pty Ltd
CONTENTS NAHRLS (Inside Front Cover) ...................................00 Pulse International ..................................................01,15 Mediserve Nursing Agency .....................................03,22,BC Mercy Health and Aged Care Central QLD ...............04 CQ Nurse ................................................................05 Government of WA, Department of Health................06 Remote Area Health Corps.......................................06 Drake Medox...........................................................07 Smart Salary............................................................08 UTOPIA....................................................................09 RNS Nursing............................................................09 Government of WA, WA Country Health Service........10 UHG.........................................................................11 FEATURE: New Year, New Career!.............................12 Article: 2012 = Career!............................................13-14 Australian Recruiting Group......................................16 Article: No More Procrastination for 2012................17-18 Latest News: Research Shows Night Shifts Could
2
Threaten Your Health................................................21 Latest News: Nurse Kills Patient After Issuing An Accidental Overdose................................................21 Latest News: Oversees Nurses To Be Brought To Australia To Relieve Staff Shortages.........................23 Educational Courses,Conferences & Events..............24+25 Ausmed Article: The Return of Whooping Cough:.....26+27 Article: Study Tips for Students................................28+29 Australian Wound Management Association Conference 2012.....................................................29 19th Annual Women’s Health Conference 2012 . .....30 Ausmed Online........................................................31 Inaugural Commonwealth Nurses Conference for 2012..................................................................32 NAON 2012 Annual Congress...................................33 GRF One Health Summit 2012.................................35 Medacs Healthcare..................................................37
CALLING ALL
NURSES & MIDWIVES Join the Preferred Supplier
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So why worry about your next shift? Relax when you join Mediserve today!
web: www.mediserve.com.au email: nurses@mediserve.com.au
For Australia Wide positions call 1300 305 594 or call one of our offices throughout Australia ADELAIDE: (08) 8212 2595 - adelaide@mediserve.com.au BRISBANE: (07) 3229 2528 - brisbane@mediserve.com.au DARWIN: (08) 8981 2446 - darwin@mediserve.com.au
PERTH: (08) 9325 1332 - perth@mediserve.com.au MELBOURNE: (03) 9629 3780 - melbourne@mediserve.com.au 3 SYDNEY: (02) 9290 2700 - sydney@mediserve.com.au
“we are an equal opportunity employer”
ARE YOU LOOKING FOR
A CHANGE? Why not consider a career with Mercy Health & Aged Care?
Mercy Health & Aged Care Central Queensland Ltd has 5 private Hospitals located in Mackay, Yeppoon, Gladstone, Rockhampton & Bundaberg. We also have aged care facilities in Rockhampton. Each of the Mater facilities offers a wide range of medical and surgical services including; medicine, general surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, orthopaedics, ENT and urology as well as visiting subspecialty specialists. • We are one of Queensland’s highest paying Professionals and all support services private health and aged care Employers; • Flexibility to suit your lifestyle and commitments • Offer diverse career opportunities for • Professional Development opportunities Nurses and Midwives, Carer’s, Allied Health • Friendly and supportive working environment.
Find out more or search for vacancies at:
www.mercycq.com
4
or call our recruitment team on (07) 4931 7478 today!
New year - New heights! CQCPD - Grow your knowledge “Not
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Various positions available throughout regional, rural and remote Australia
www.cqnurse.com.au Office location 239 Nebo Road, Mackay p 07 4998 5550 f 07 4998 5545 e nurses@cqnurse.com.au
yours to
discover 5
Reward
ing
Wa n t your car eer to go pla ces? Go to WA
Career You can e work full arn a good sa la on a ca time, part time ry, su o you cho al basis. Whate r ose, you v your hou can tailo er rs r wonderf to fit around y ul new W our Australia e n lifesty stern le! e nities Stat Big opportu the ig ven ity, B the c al or e
Place to
WA Health be w career. Re ill care for your co healthcare rd investment in facilities in give you th WA will e opportu nity some of Au stralia’s ne to work in most adva w nced hosp est and itals.
alth places with WA He Take your career th.wa.gov.au eal www.nursing.h
Government of Western Australia Department of Health Nursing and Midwifery Office
A reputation for excellence
education Thanks to ongoing efficient opportunities and g and effective workin Australian practices, Western es have nurses and midwiv utation an international rep for excellence.
in n se Work rbs, regio s. Choo a subu ote are itals, p m in re een hos ntres, e betw unity c mes. m com ols or ho alia has on u o h u c A str keep yo reer s tern Wes ariety to your ca the v toes and rd. your g forwa in mov
ere. Nursing and midwifery‌can take you anywh
Tel: 1800 112 272 or (08) 9222 4075
www.nursing.health.wa.gov.au
The time for talking is over Be part of the effort to improve Indigenous health
Get involved. Call 1300 MYRAHC or apply online at rahc.com.au Funded by the Australian Government
6
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8
UTOPIA
Urapuntja Health Service Aboriginal Corporation Exciting new opportunities for true believers in Primary Health Care.
CURRENTLY RECRUITING: • Experienced Registered Nurse Midwife;
full time ready now!
Urapuntja Health Service needs Experienced Nurse Midwife with current clinical experience. Acute care medicine and primary health care experience preferred, with proven communication and computing skills, you will support a team with full commitment to primary health care. You will be working together in a multi-disciplinary team in a cross-cultural setting. We encourage Indigenous nurses to apply for these positions. Don’t hold back - if you think you fit the bill give me a call! For application and information please call Sarah Doherty (08) 89569875 or send an email to : ceo@urapuntjahealth.org Urapuntja Health Service is an Aboriginal community controlled health organization situated in the Alyawarr region of Central Australia, 280km NE of Alice Springs. We have a population of 1200 people living across 16 small communities. Attractive wages, salary packaging arrangements, and subsidized accommodation in a beautiful setting, is on offer to reliable resilient individuals who have some time to devote to us.
DO YOU REALLY WANT TO MAKE A
DIFFERENCE IN REMOTE ABORIGINAL HEALTH?
This is your chance to take a crucial role in an organization whose mission is to maximize indigenous health and has remarkable statistics to prove it. Opportunities to put your ideals into practice exist in this exciting time in health evolution. 9
T X E N E ISSU
International
NURSING
Publication Date:
6th FEB, 2012
Government of Western Australia WA Country Health Service
Child Health Generalist Web Search No: Pool Ref No CH893 Level/Salary: ANF Level 2 $72,237 - $76,750 pa pro rata This is a Recruitment Pool for Permanent Full Time or Fixed Term Full Time. Other Conditions: This vacancy 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 Position ProďŹ le: The Kimberley Population Health Unit are looking for Child Health Generalists to join their team. In this role you will be responsible for providing a high level of Primary Health Care to achieve the optimum state of health for individuals, families and communities with the emphasis in the area of Child Health. To Access Detailed Information: jobs.health.wa.gov.au and key in the Web Search No. to access detailed information or Ph: 08 6444 5815 to be mailed an information pack. For SpeciďŹ c Inquiries: Please contact David Reeve on 08 9194 1636. Location: Broome, Derby, Fitzroy Crossing, Halls Creek, Kununurra, Wyndham Closing Date: Tuesday, 31 December 2013 at 4.00pm
10
Independent Contract Nurses Required!
creating freedom and choice ...the innovative way
UHG is a leading provider of customised healthcare solutions for insurers, employers and individuals across Australia. We are offering unique opportunities for Registered and Enrolled Nurses to undertake sub-contract work with our innovative mobile health service division. • • • •
National Opportunities Different work locations & environments Discover new challenges Take control of your work-life balance!
The following are minimum requirements for these roles: • Competent phlebotomy skills - Min 2yrs experience • Current CPR Certification • Own Vehicle and Drivers License • Laptop, Internet Access, Email, Fax/Scanner • Australian Police Check • Public Liability & Professional Indemnity Insurance • ABN Experience in small business, insurance assessments, pre-employment medicals and vaccination programs would be well regarded, but not essential.
To find out more about these exciting opportunities or apply online visit
www.healthscreening.com.au
For general enquiries, please phone Liz Dickson on (03) 9692 7716 A division of UHG : www.uhg.com.au 11
New Year, NEW CAREER // INSIDE THIS FEATURE Feature Article : 2012 = Career!.....................................................13+14 Pulse International......................................................................... 15 Australian Recruiting Group.......................................................... 16 Feature Article : No More Procrastination for 2012!.......................17+18 Latest News...................................................................................21+23
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2012 = CAREER! Have you got a dream job in mind? Been thinking about maybe making that dream a reality sometime soon? Why not make 2012 the year you turn your career around?
This will help you to figure out what your career likes and dislikes are. Then you can start planning what you want in your dream job, from which you can plan how to get there.
Wherever you are in your professional life; unemployed, wishing to switch careers or specializations, wanting a promotion, there are certain steps you can take to assist you in reaching your career goals for 2012. It’s no easy road, but the rewards (like job satisfaction) outweigh the difficulties.
Once you’re armed with your self-assessment results, you can research jobs that align with your interests. PRIORITIZE YOUR TIME AT WORK
FIRSTLY, DETERMINE WHAT YOU WANT IN YOUR CAREER.
Say you’ve put down a new year’s resolution to maintain a better work-life balance. If you want to realistically see this happen, then boundaries do need to be put down at work.
Don’t start with what you think your dream career is. The better (and potentially less disappointing) step to take is to determine what you want in a career. Do want a dynamic job role, do you prefer to work with children or the elderly, in high pressure situations like an ED, do you want to travel?
Firstly, recognize what your priorities and responsibilities are. Do you want family time every day after 5 p.m.? Do you want to limit the amount you travel for work? Define your needs simply and realistically, and then discuss these needs in a professional but concise way with your managers. 13
If you’re clear, calm and polite about what you want, your managers will hear you out. If your realistic needs cannot be met, then maybe it’s time to start looking for a new job?
career in the New Year – this may be the best time to take advantage of the time you have on your hands before starting work. REMEMBER, IT’S ALSO WHO YOU KNOW
It’s also imperative to accomplish everything you can at work, while prioritizing and delegating some tasks to others. Don’t take on more than what you can literally do. You’ve possibly seen others do it and fail, and that’s for a reason! When it comes to maintaining work-life balance, an important thing to remember is that you have the power to set boundaries at work. This might suggest you need to play mind games with yourself, but it works funnily enough.
Whether you want to find a new job or move up in your current field, networking could really help. Networking simply means reaching out and getting to know people in your field or the field you hope to enter. These contacts could potentially be helpful for finding job openings, preparing for interviews, or simply to give you a better sense of your chosen field. There is no better research than talking to a person within the field or dream career job role that you’re after.
MAYBE IT’S TIME TO HIT THE BOOKS AGAIN? I know! Why would you want to go back to study?! Isn’t that a little bit like starting from square one? Advancing your education can help you reach your career goals in 2012 though. While there are no guarantees that a higher degree will help you get ahead in your professional life, it could help. This applies especially to nurses wishing to change or go into a specialization. It’s worth looking in to. Pay a visit to careers offices at universities and colleges, and make sure to ask every question you have on your mind. Can I work and study, what payment plans are available to me, how realistic is it that I can get a job within this specialization after I finish this course? For one thing, it could show employers that you’re serious about your career goals. For example, if you’re interested in getting a promotion at work, but your education level just isn’t cutting it, you could go back to school and get the necessary education to qualify. This could show your employers that you’re willing to do what it takes to help propel your career. If you’re currently unemployed, advancing your education could also help you pursue a new 14
Once you start making contacts, try to remember things beyond just their names and careers. If you remember certain details - whether it’s their hobbies or their own dream career goals - it could show that you’re sincerely interested in making a connection, which can create a bond with a potentially important contact for the future. You just never know. Even in your current job, be sure to talk to and get to know all the staff members you work with. You might bump into them again after your days spent at your current job. Be realistic and keep at it. That’s the key to true success with your career goals for 2012. Persistence is difficult, of course. Breaking down the steps, putting a visual plan onto paper with deadlines in place will help you with your persistence. Keep a friend updated with your career goals when you catch up with them. If something in your plan isn’t working out, then adjust the plan. There doesn’t need to be an immediate deadline for your career goals, these things take time of course. Just be realistic and keep at it.
Set your sights on London. Your ONP without the hassle. With over 15 years overseas recruitment experience, we can find you a perfect job with a vibrant lifestyle to match. PULSE will help you step by step with everything you need to start your exciting new adventure!
• FREE* London-based Overseas Nursing Programme (ONP) - Not offered by any other agency • Extensive and varied work opportunities on a temporary agency, longer term contract or permanent basis. • Full assistance with NMC registration. • UK Starter package. *Terms and conditions apply
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15
If you can see yourself working across
AUSTRALIA
then give us a call today! We have placements available across Australia. We offer Casual, Permanent, Aged Care, ICU, Theatre, Rural and Remote Contracts. 16
Call Fay Samios: 1300 123 450 health@australianrecruiting.com www.australianrecruiting.com
!
NO MORE Procrastination for 2012!
Avoiding something on your list of things to do from 2011? Avoiding the entire list of things to do from 2011? With so many things to do, so many things screaming priority, and some of them may be things you are not that excited about doing, right nurses? That is classic procrastination. And it hurts. It hurts your confidence and self-esteem, which are two crucial needs to survive as a nurse, not just for the job or your patients, but also for your families and loved ones too. Procrastination has a tendency to affect every part of your life in some minor or major way.
!
If this is you, then here are some steps you can take to quit the habit:
1. BREAK IT DOWN. When the task is big
and overwhelming, we often don’t know where to start – so we don’t start anywhere. Break the big task down into small manageable steps and start there.
2. IDENTIFY AND REMOVE THE OBSTACLES. Figure out what is preventing
you from getting the ‘job’ done and find ways to deal with those issues. 17
7. WITHHOLD A PLEASURE.
No morning coffee until I… No checking my email until I… No social media until I… No lunch until I… No (insert your favourite time-waster here) until I get it done.
8. PLAN A REWARD. Yes, especially
for the ‘biggies’ if you finally did it. Reward yourself! I highly recommend online shopping.
9. BLOCK TIME. Set it in your calendar and honour the commitment you have made, like a promise to a best friend.
10. DON’T THINK ABOUT IT SO MUCH. There will always be 100 reasons why not to do it, and 100 others things you could be doing. Stop thinking so much, just do it!
You’ll find that once you complete that dreaded task you put off for so long, you’ll think “that wasn’t so bad?” Your confidence and self esteem will get a much needed boost, and you’ll feel it for sure. They might be good reasons, but chances are they are really good excuses.
3. VISUALIZE HOW YOU WILL FEEL WHEN IT IS DONE. Don’t just focus on the task and on the end result.
4. PERFECTIONISM KILLS. Done is
better than perfect, done is better than perfect, and let me repeat that - done is better than perfect! And it’s definitely better than not done.
5. MAKE A GAME OUT OF IT. Set the
kitchen timer or your cell phone alarm – how much can you get done in ‘x’ amount of minutes?
6. DO WHAT YOU DREAD MOST, FIRST. Get it over with, put it to bed, and be done with it already! Do it first! 18
You’ll feel happier, work better, and will be able to sleep at night knowing that annoying task you’ve put off for so long is FINALLY DONE!
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RESEARCH SHOWS NIGHT SHIFTS COULD THREATEN YOUR HEALTH
Email us your response to editor@nursingpost. com.au, or visit our facebook page at www. facebook.com/TheNursingPost and submit your comment. We’d love to hear from you!
The editors of PLoS Medicine are claiming that working the graveyard shift should be classified as an occupational health hazard, in an article published within the journal.
NURSE KILLS PATIENT AFTER ISSUING AN ACCIDENTAL OVERDOSE
Chief editor of PLoS Medicine, Dr Virginia Barbour, noted new research indicates that night-shift workers’ bad eating habits and disrupted circadian rhythms are increasing the risk of developing obesity and type 2 diabetes. This new evidence emerged as the result of a study of 69,269 nurses that PLoS Medicine published earlier in December last year. The study found that workers on rotating night shifts were more likely to develop diabetes over a 20-year period, compared to nurses who worked during the day, Time Magazine reported. The article published in Time Magazine also stated that: The longer women worked nights, the higher their risk: those who had rotating night shifts for between one and two years had a five per cent increased risk of diabetes; working nights on and off for 10 to 19 years upped the risk to 40 per cent; and women who pulled graveyard shifts for more than 20 years were 60 per cent more likely to develop diabetes than those who never worked at night. The editors of PLoS Medicine stated that, “if the data from this and other studies are to be taken at face value, shift work has the potential to accelerate the progression of the global epidemic of obesity and diabetes.” Barbour continued by stating to ABC News, “We would suggest that employers need to take unhealthy eating very seriously, to the extent that they consider that unhealthy foods are essentially environmental hazards and that they should consider what the implications are of exposing their employees to high levels of such hazards in the form of vending machines and fast-food restaurants.” Nurses, what do you think? Did your health get this affected when you worked graveyard shifts?
Nurse Helen Burke was dismissed for gross misconduct from her Manchester nursing home job after giving an overdose of insulin to a patient with diabetes, which resulted in the patient’s death. Mrs Burke caused the death of the 89-year-old patient Nellie Worrall by injecting her with insulin ten times higher than recommended. Police authorities have considered the evidence to the charge to be insufficient, even after the nurse had issued her own confession to committing the fatal mistake. Had the evidence been more convincing, then a heavier charge of ‘gross negligence manslaughter’ against Mrs Burke would have been the next step. Luckily, Ms Burke will not be facing legal action. The investigation’s results also discovered that the patient had a routine six units of insulin issued every morning, but on the day of the incident, Mrs Burke had issue 60 units. The nurse didn’t call for an ambulance after the overdose and instead left the nursing home to serve other patients. The hospital staff had spent an hour before getting the patient to the hospital. Mrs Burke claims that she had mistaken the letter ‘U’ for ‘0’ (‘zero’) instead of ‘units’, despite her seven years of practice. Soon after the incident, Mr Pollard has now recommended to Health Secretary Andrew Lansley that it be compulsory for all Australian community nurses to undergo diabetic emergency training. Furthermore, the Nursing and Midwifery Council has declared that Mrs Burke may continue to work strictly under the supervision of a registered nurse. 21
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OVERSEES NURSES TO BE BROUGHT TO AUSTRALIA TO RELIEVE STAFF SHORTAGES Approximately 150 oversees trained nurses will be brought in to fill new positions at Hunter New England hospitals as part of the health services’ largest recruitment drives. It is reported that most of the nurses who will be brought in will be arriving from India. Hunter New England Local Health District stated that a lack of local experienced nurses forced them to turn to the international market to fill hospital shortages. The NSW Nurses Association stated that they do support employment of oversees-trained nurses to meet the shortages demand, but want more to be done to assist local nurses in getting back to work. New national and rather controversial registration rules now require nurses who wish to return to the workforce after a break of more than five years to re-train through a private college at an approximate cost of $10,000. Experienced nurses stated that the expense of the college re-training will put nurses off from coming back to work and entering the health system. NSW Health Minister Jillian Skinner, stated that the government would ideally like to fill the positions with local nurses, but the reality is that there is no local nurses, hence why they’ve needed to recruit from oversees. Hunter New England Health nursing and midwifery services nurse manager Sue Brazil said the state government pledged, on its election, 1400 new nurses throughout NSW. About 150 of those positions were in Hunter New England. A contributing factor as to why there is no experienced local nurses is due to skilled staff retiring or moving to part-time positions. Ms Brazil stated that local advertising for nurses and midwives had attracted a poor response. More than 20 recruits started work in Hunter hospitals late last year. Almost 30 more will begin this month, with most going to John Hunter Hospital. ‘‘That’s probably been a first for nursing in Hunter New England Health, to do a recruitment activity of this size,’’ Ms Brazil stated. The remaining positions were expected to be filled by June next year. However, hiring oversees trained staff was not a one-off. “I think it’s going to be part of our strategic recruitment objectives in the future,’’ Ms Brazil said. NSW Nurses Association general secretary, Brett Holmes, stated that the union supports the move to recruit trained
nurses from oversees, but believes that it does need to be an equal responsibility to assist local nurses to return to the public health system. Mr Holmes said the government and local health districts needed to set up their own accredited training programs or encourages universities to do so. ‘‘To bring those people back into the system would be useful expenditure,’’ he said. ‘‘And possibly less expensive than some of the overseas recruiting.’’ Mrs Skinner stated that the government has employed more nurses since the March election, and maintains their commitment to recruiting more. The government has already introduced a re-entry scholarship program to help nurses return to public hospitals. “We’d love to be able to fill all these positions with local nurses and midwives ... but the reality is that we need to also look overseas in order to recruit more experienced nurses when we aren’t able to recruit locally,” Mrs Skinner reported. Hunter New England’s nursing positions on offer included good career opportunities, nice accommodation, so it came as no surprise when registered nurses from India took up the offer. As part of the latest intake of overseas-trained nurses in Hunter New England, they are working at John Hunter Hospital and Royal Newcastle Centre. Their fields include neurosurgery and neuro-medicine, cardiothoracic and vascular surgery, and surgical urology. As employersponsored staff on 457 visas, the nurses can work here for up to four years. Meera Jose Manickathan and Nisha Rani said Newcastle was a nice place to live, and its hospitals provided great career experience. Jaise Thomas said he and his Indian-trained colleagues found their Hunter counterparts co-operative and ready to teach. The oversees-trained nurses wanted to share the skills they had obtained from working in major international hospitals. Lini Thomas stated a challenge for the nurses was finding suitable housing, especially for those with families. Hunter New England Health nursing and midwifery services nurse manager Sue Brazil said an overseas support nurse manager assisted new staff with hospital orientation and to familiarise with local culture. 23
Educational Courses, Conferences & Events // CONTENTS Ausmed Online: Article - The Return of Whooping Cough............26+27 Article : Study Tips for Students................................................... 28+29 Australian Wound Management Association Conference 2012.... 29 19th Annual Women’s Health Conference 2012.............................30 Ausmed Online...............................................................................31 Inaugural Commonwealth Nurses Conference 2012.....................32 NAON 2012 Annual Congress........................................................33 GRF One Health Summit 2012........................................................35 24
// Events + Conferences 2012 The Early Years Conference 2012 The Development of Children’s Mental Health: How Do We Become Who We Are? The University of British Columbia 2-4 February 2012, Sydney http://interprofessional.ubc.ca/Early_Years.htm
Australian Wound Management Association Conference Harbouring wound care The AWMA 18-22 March 2012, Sydney www.awma2012.com
Commonwealth Nurses Federation Inaugural Nurses Conference
2nd National Indigenous Drug and Alcohol Conference
Our health: our common wealth
Beyond 2012: Leading the Way to Action
Commonwealth Nurses Federation 10-11 March 2012, London, UK. www.commonwealthnurses.org
6-8 June 2012, Fremantle, WA www.nidacconference.com.au
Australian College of Operating Room Nurses 15th National Conference Territorial boundaries: Dare to be diverse Australian College of Operating Room Nurses 22-26 May 2012, Darwin, NT www.acorn.org.au
International Nursing Conference Nursing: Caring to Know, Knowing to Care Nursing Division of Hadassah University Medical Centre 4-7 June 2012, Jerusalem, Israel www.israel.rnao.ca
4th Congress of the Wound Union of Wound Healing Societies Better care - Better life Wound Union of Wound Healing Societies 2-6 September 2012, Yokohama, Japan www.wuwhs2012.com
National Association of Childbirth Educators’ Biennial Conference Generation Now - the fears, the fantasy and finding the balance National Association of Childbirth Educators 16-18 October 2012, Luna Park, Sydney www.nace.org.au
11th Global Conference on Ageing
16th South Pacific Nurses Forum 2012
Ageing Connects
South Pacific Nurses Forum 19-22 November 2012, Melbourne, Leonda by the Yarra. www.spnf.org.au
IFA-FIV 28 May-1 June 2012, Prague Czech Republic www.ifa-fiv.org
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The Return of
WHOOPING
COUGH
Why is it that the prevalence of whooping cough is increasing, despite the fact that most children are immunised against this disease, and why are whooping cough victims older than the victims of whooping cough before the vaccine was widely available? There are likely several factors at play. Clusters of unvaccinated children may be reducing our herd immunity. In addition, our reporting methods for contagious disease have improved drastically over the past decades. But there may be another factor at work in the upsurge of whooping cough cases. When the whooping cough vaccine first became available, the vaccine was made from killed whole cells of the bacterium Bordatella pertussis, eventually becoming a part of the DPT vaccine, which protected against diphtheria and tetanus, as well as pertussis. This vaccine produced long-
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lasting immunity, but also caused a strong host response; namely, pain and fevers sometimes high enough to cause seizures. In the 1990s, when whooping cough had become a distant memory and was no longer a disease to be feared, a new vaccine was approved, one that contained components of the whooping cough bacterium, but not the whole cell. Side effects of the new vaccine were much milder and were much better tolerated. However, it seems the new vaccine does not confer the same amount of immunity due to its weaker constitution. Immunity is not as long lasting; therefore, adolescents and adults are contracting the disease. As a result, some states are recommending that parents of infants and others who care for infants receive a booster.
SYMPTOMS OF WHOOPING COUGH The initial stage (catarrhal stage) is characterised by sneezing, coughing, nasal congestion and mild fever. Symptoms are similar to common cold symptoms. This stage typically lasts for one or two weeks. The second stage (paroxysmal stage) is characterised by uncontrolled paroxysms (fits, or bursts) of coughing, in which the affected individual has a prolonged inspiratory effort that produces a high-pitched crowing or whooping sound. It is during this stage that whooping cough is usually suspected. The paroxysms may result in colour changes (cyanosis, or a bluish discolouration caused by insufficient oxygen), exhaustion and vomiting. The attacks occur more often at night and may last as long as six weeks (up to 10 weeks in some individuals). The third stage (convalescent stage) may last for several weeks, during which the cough gradually disappears; however, paroxysms may return with any chest infection for several months.
TREATMENT OF WHOOPING COUGH Antibiotics can be given to reduce the severity of the disease, but should be given within the first three to four weeks. Antibiotic therapy can also help to reduce transmission of the disease and is often given to individuals who have come in close contact or proximity with an infected individual, regardless of their immunisation status. Zithromax, Biaxin, Septra and E-mycin are often
used to treat the disease. Although it is unclear that antibiotics are effective in people who have had the disease for more than three to four weeks, antibiotic therapy may still be offered.
COMPLICATIONS OF WHOOPING COUGH Bacterial pneumonia, as a secondary infection, is the most common complication of whooping cough. Encephalopathy, seizures and reactive airway disease may occur, especially in babies younger than six months of age. Whooping cough can be fatal, particularly in infants. One in 20 infants are estimated to develop bacterial pneumonia as a complication of whooping cough, and one in 100 will suffer convulsions. Most deaths occur in children who are not vaccinated or are too young to receive the vaccine.
REFERENCES Whooping Cough Returns as Vaccine Modified to Reduce Side Effects, Medical Xpress; January 2012 http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-01-whoopingvaccine-side-effects.html Whooping Cough (Pertussis), WebMD; July 2010 http://www.medicinenet.com/pertussis/article.htm Continued Professional Development provided by
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STUDY TIPS FOR
STUDEN T S Studying. Not fun. You’re a nursing student, who’s read all the course outlines, you have a general idea of what you need to do, but you’re not too sure where to start? Whether it’s studying for an exam, preparing your first clinical rotation or trying to simplify your study methods and keep on top of your workload. The best solution is to develop study habits: 1. MAKE A PLAN OF ACTION, and STICK TO IT. Give yourself realistic goals that you can accomplish, and make sure you keep track of all deadlines, exams and tests dates, as well as other important dates that can affect your study in some way. This will allow you to stay on track.
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2. TAKE NOTES. Bullet points, headers, footers, subheadings, you name it. The information lecturers give you can be invaluable, so take note! 3. If you’re not much of a note-taker, then TAPE RECORD. Some people do find it distracting when they’re trying to listen to the lecturer and take notes simultaneously. Tape recording is a great solution to this problem. But make sure to check with your instructor if this is ok first! 4. USE FLASHCARDS. This will allow you to prepare for a test or exam easily and quickly. 5. COMPARE YOUR NOTES. Your classmates may have information that you missed. You can learn
as much from your fellow students than you can learning on your own. 6. KEEP UP-TO-DATE WITH ALL INFORMATION in class. Listen to the answers your lecturer gives to other another student’s question. 7. ASK QUESTIONS YOURSELF. If you are unsure about a topic, haven’t quite grasped a concept taught in class or are just completely lost, ask about it. Don’t be afraid to look like the fool, because chances are, someone else is probably as confused or unclear as yourself. 8. BE PREPARED FOR YOUR EXAMS. If there is some sort of outline available to you, or a list of criteria that the exam will be testing you on, make sure you adhere to that list. Tick off each criteria item when you’ve completely grasped the concept. 9. KEEP IN TOUCH WITH YOUR INSTRUCTOR. Make appointments to see them with a list of
questions prepared, visit during office hours or send an email. Learn as much as you can from them. 10. USE YOUR TEXTBOOKS TO THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. Whilst reading, make a list of questions about concepts you don’t completely understand and use other resources (like the internet, journals, study buddies, instructors) to get the answers.
Harbouring Wound Care
Australian Wound Management Association Conference 2012 18 – 21 March 2012, Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre
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19th Annual Women’s Health Conference 24 - 25 February, 2012 Sheraton Mirage Resort & Spa, Gold Coast Welcome to the 2012 Women’s Health Conference We continue with the two-day format and more concurrent sessions that was so well received last year. We are delighted that Michael Carr-Gregg is with us again. Today’s society includes many ‘mixed’ family groups and Michael will share his expertise in this area. In addition he will discuss the effects of bullying. Both topics will provide us with useful information for our female clients. The effect and use of hormone treatments is one of the core areas of Women’s Health. We welcome the expertise of Professor Rod Baber to update us on current issues and discuss management problems. The conference always tries to look broadly at all topics that effect female patients. With this in mind, we welcome Professor Louise Newman to discuss the effects of trauma and abuse on parenting; coping with adversity by Professor Sandy McFarlane; Professor Rebecca Mason on the effects of vitamin D on the skin and bones; and Dr Jane Peake to update us on childhood allergies.
Back and joint aches are common issues for women and Professors Rachelle Buchbinder and Ellen McGirr will share their advice on early and evidenced-based management of these issues. Professor Glenys Ross will discuss the importance of the General Practitioner role in the management of women with diabetes. Gynaecological issues are not forgotten and we will have interesting presentations on fertility, pregnancy loss, endometriosis, urinary issues for women, and PCOS that includes the new guidelines for management Finally we welcome all the speakers old and new who add to the quality of this conference. After sessions conclude on Friday we again have drinks and canapes around the pool area for all to share. The Sheraton Mirage never fails to lift the sprits As always I hope you have a happy productive time at the conference. Vivienne O’Connor Associate Professor, University of Queensland GOLD SPONSOR
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Conference 2012 COMMONWEALTH NURSES FEDERATION
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Our health: our common wealth Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 March 2012
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