Nursing Post - Issue 19 : Paediatrics/Child Health

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The Career and Education magazine for Nurses and Health Professionals

Inside this issue

Paediatrics &

Child Health

3 October 2011 - Issue 19

Visit us online for the latest jobs and articles

IAN ME L A TR SCHE S AU ENT W NE RNM VE GO

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Welcome to Issue 19

From the Editor...

Hello Readers and welcome to the 19th edition of The Nursing Post! We have compiled a special feature on Paediatric/Child Health Nursing so turn to page 16 now to read more.

We must congratulate the front cover winner, Denelle Morrison for such a wonderful and joyous photo submission;. Denelle stated she “would like to share with you a photo of myself and a colleague/friend of mine Emily Solomon when we went to Nepal in November 2010. We went as registered nurses and student midwives and were able to assist the woman pictured during her labour. We were able to see her the next day postnatally...a life changing moment in both our lives.”

to clarify that Di Brown was not the author or instigator as the article was written and submitted

by Sue Walker from Nurses for Nurses Network based on a meeting with Di. The content of the story is of Sue’s interpretation of the information that she heard and witnessed during the time she spent at the hospital. Our deepest apologies go out to Di and Sue for any inconveniences we may have caused.

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 20: 17 October 2011 Material Deadline: 10 October 2011

Last issue, we published “Australian Nurse : Di Brown Making a Difference in Bali”. We wish

Editor: Kelvin Chong | Co-Editor/Artwork: Amrit Bhabra For media-kits, deadlines or advertising queries, please contact Tishen Gounden | Printed by Westcare Pty Ltd

Inside this Issue

Next Issue

Paediatrics / Child Health Nursing

Regional / Indigenous Health

Contents NAHRLS (inside cover) .................................................. 00 Healthscope ................................................................. 01 WA Country Health Service ........................................... 03 Nursecare Personnel . ................................................... 04 Continental Travel Nurse ............................................... 05 FEATURE : Child Health / Paediatric Nursing You want to be a Paediatric / Child Health Nurse? ......... 06 ACCYPN Inaugural Conference ...................................... 09 Quick N Easy Finance ................................................... 10 Pulse International ........................................................ 11 Nurses are Helping Kids to fight Childhood Obesity ....... 12 NZ Neonatal Nurses Annual Conference ........................ 13 Desperate shortage of Child Health nurses in WA at Breaking Point .............................................................. 14 Queensland Health......................................................... 15 Medacs ...................................................................... 16 Mediserve Nursing Agency . .......................................... 18, 22

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WA Country Health Service ........................................... 19 Hays Healthcare ........................................................... 20 CQ Nurse ...................................................................... 23 CCM Recruitment International ..................................... 24 Health Specialist Network ............................................. 25 Education, Courses & Conferences Article: Sleep and the Consequences of Deprivation....... 28 The College of Nursing................................................... 30 Oceania University of Medicine...................................... 31 ACNP 6th Conference for 2011...................................... 31 COSA’s 38 Annual Scientific Meeting . ........................... 32 CranaPlus : 29th National Conference ........................... 33 Australian College of Midwives 17 Biennial ................... 33 Front Cover Competition ............................................... 34 What’s Your Story? Competition .................................... 35 Promesse ..................................................................... 38 Healthcare Australia (Back cover) . ................................ 38

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Feature - Paediatrics/Child Health

Paediatrics+Child Health Welcome to our special feature on Paediatric & Child Health Nursing.

We examine the role of the Paediatric Nurse and discuss the career opportunities available within this rewarding field of nursing. We also take a look at what Child Health nurses are doing in Australia to combat childhood obesity and mental health issues (page 20).

You want to be a Paediatric / Child Health Nurse?

Paediatric and Child health nurses provide nursing care to children aged 0-18 years of age in partnership with the parents / guardians, to promote optimal health.

keep in mind when deciding what to study or what specialization to enter at university or college.

What do Paediatric / Child Health Nurses do?

Some potential employers may require nurses to have specific qualifications for paediatrics before employing them, while others provide transitional education programs.

Nurses within this field are most likely to work within health clinics or communities where their nursing services are required for infants, children and young people. This can range from schools, to house-calls, community clinics, hospitals, hospices and long-term care facilities.

Children’s health services have a tendency to employ a much higher ratio of registered nurses to enrolled nurses.

Many community-based child health services only do employ registered nurses – something to 6

What do I have to do to become a Paediatric / Child Health nurse?

Most graduate certificates provide the educational foundation of beginning specialty practices, whilst graduate diplomas and masters level courses support and help to develop the skills within the practice and leadership of nurse specialists.

Graduate positions are also available for paediatrics. If you talk to a practicing paediatric nurse, they may tell you to undertake a

postgraduate education with majors in specific aspects of child health. And this isn’t bad advice.

The course tends to run in the discipline of nursing, but it may also run in other health disciplines such as community health, primary healthcare, public health or health education.

internship or placement program may run for around three months to a year. You can always take classes that will give you an advantage within the field of paediatric nursing, such a child psychology classes, which will help you to learn to communicate with sick children.

A variety of majors or electives are available (depending on which educational institute you attend), within the disciplines which include community child health, child development, paediatric nursing, adolescent health, paediatric oncology, paediatric critical care, disability, mental health or school nursing.

Family psychology classes will help you learn to communicate effectively and efficiently with panicked or frightened parents dealing with a critically ill child.

Firstly, you will have to complete a general nursing degree at an appropriate university or nursing college, from which you will need to seek additional specialized training. So you need to have earned your certification as a registered nurse, or a four year Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree (BSN).

Once you have been able to complete your education, get a job in a hospital with a paediatrics department or work in a clinical setting where paediatric patients are treated.

Some hospitals and clinics do offer paediatric nursing internships, so you may wish to apply for these.

You will be able to work within the field directly, and get a first-hand look at the field itself, where you will be able to develop the specific skills required to qualify as a paediatric nurse. The

The more you learn about the field in regards to the latest news, developments, medical technology developments, etc, the faster you can complete your internships and begin working as a fully qualified and educated paediatric nurse.

What are the job responsibilities for a Paediatric / Child Health Nurse?

Paediatric nurses go beyond providing healthcare to adolescents and children. They also play a special role in supporting young patients and their families by explaining patients’ conditions, treatment options and providing emotional support.

Paediatric nurses assist doctors by providing medical care and disease information about potential short or long treatment plans for their young patients.

Other responsibilities include administering medications, placing intravenous (IV) lines on patients and administering other types of therapies, child immunizations, disease screenings,

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Feature - Paediatrics/Child Health

diagnosing illnesses, prescribing medications and consulting physicals, which depend on the needs and requirements of the patients, as well as the experience level of the nurse. Paediatric nurses can work in hospitals, clinics and private practices.

Within hospital settings, paediatric nurses are usually required to document patient progress through precise record keeping, notifying doctors in the event of any changes in a patient’s situation. General Paediatric nurses often assist doctors by checking patients for vital signs, drawing blood, giving vaccinations and recording and handling patient histories during their visits.

Paediatric nurses working within private practices may be required to specialize in the care of children. Their responsibilities may include teaching and education, providing professional consultations, as well as playing a vital role in developing youth care programs.

Paediatric nurses may specialize in child healthcare, but their responsibilities may also be required to cross into other categories, which may include at-home diet and exercise programs for obese children, educating new mothers on breast-feeding techniques, or helping parents to better understand and develop skills in dealing with troubled teenagers, to name a few.

What career opportunities are available to me?

Today, there are a number of career paths for nurses who want to work with children. Upon completing a postgraduate specialist nurse 8

education, you can continue to expand your practice in the areas of management, research or teaching within the field of children’s health and well-being, upon completing two to three years’ experience. If your education included graduate certificate to a masters level, than many universities will award you with credit for transitional education programs, which are offered by employers.

A general paediatric nurse can become an advanced practice nurse, such as a paediatric nurse practitioner (PNP) or a clinical nurse specialist (CNS) by completing additional educational coursework or earning the appropriate certifications.

- Paediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) PNPs are educated and trained on disease management, prevention and assessment.

PNPs are required to provide primary healthcare for children at clinics, hospitals and paediatric medical offices. They can also work in surgical centres or intensive care units. A lot of PNPs tend to specialize in specific illnesses or paediatric areas, such as acute care or neonatal care.

- Clinical Nurse Specialists in Paediatrics (CNS) CNSs usually care for infants, children and adolescents who suffer from chronic or acute illnesses and conditions. Their main focus will usually be on young patients who may have serious or complicated health issues from physical or mental disabilities to oncology patients. CHSs are licensed registered nurses who have graduated from an advanced degree program on a physical, developmental or physiological paediatric need.

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Feature - Paediatrics/Child Health

School Nurses help tackle childhood Obesity and Mental Health issues

P

arent and teacher health groups are planning to employ school-based nurses to help tackle health issues that their students are going through, which include childhood obesity and mental illness.

The West Australian Council of State School Organizations is bidding to the State Government to employ a full-time community health nurse at every public school.

Currently, administration staff is trained in first aid, but no school nurses are employed at the Hunter school in Newcastle, according to The Herald.

Newcastle and Lake Macquarie P&C District Council spokeswoman Clarice Hamling stated that having at least one or two nurses allocated to a school district would be a positive 12

move, if not at every school.

The nurses would be able to assist and educate students about health and their needs as young people. ‘‘They could go around promoting health information.

It would just be beneficial to the kids if it was brought in,’’ Mrs Hamling said.

Sue Peterie, president for the NSW School Nurses Association stated that a nurse was employed at The Hunter Orthopaedic School and that nurses are employed in public schools within Victoria.

According to Mrs Peterie, school-based nurses did conduct health assessments, they were involved with community nurses in immunisation programs and they provided health education.

The health needs of adolescents are often focused on mental health, however Mrs Peterie believes that childhood obesity

deserves as much attention. ‘‘I think it can help in the early identification of such issues,’’ Mrs Peterie said.

A NSW Education Department spokesman reported that government schools in the Hunter Region didn’t directly employ nurses.

Instead, the Government provided the schools with guidance about healthy lifestyles and diet through the education curriculum, canteen policy and work with the parents.

Student welfare programs and counselling was available for students who required support and education about mental health and well-being. Some schools are also working with agencies that can assist in catering to students with high healthcare needs. ‘‘A variety of healthcare professionals provide that additional support as appropriate,’’ the spokesman said.

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Feature - Paediatrics/Child Health

Shortage of WA child health nurses now at BREAKING POINT C

hild and community health nurses across Western Australia are reaching breaking point after the failed attempts by the state in employing more nurses to handle the 22% child population growth from 2003 to 2009. Currently, there is a shortage of 106 child health nurses.

State Government statistics stated that in 2009, there was just one child health nurse for every 178 newborns within the metropolitan area, compared to one for every 141 newborns in 2002.

Community Health Nurses WA stated that in 14

the areas with the fastest growing populations, nurses had to see almost two and a half times as many babies. One nurse reportedly had to see up to 420 newborns.

Angela Poole, a retired child health nurse manager from Rockingham and Kwinana, stated that health checks were necessary within the first twelve months of a baby’s life, but nurses weren’t able to conduct thorough checks.

“It’s not fair to the families because they deserve more time,” she said. “The nurses are just not able to provide what they should do in a normal circumstance, let alone for a needy family which needs more support.”

We’re growing.

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Rebecca Hayes, Midwife, Queensland Health

Queensland Health Search for vacancies or send an online Expression of Interest today at www.health.qld.gov.au/nursing

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Our services are expanding throughout the state and we’re looking for experienced nurses and midwives like you to join our growing teams.

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Feature - Paediatrics/Child Health Community health nurses are reportedly feeling as though they have their hands tied because they believe that they cannot talk publically about the issue for fear of losing their jobs.

The WA Commissioner for Children and Young People, Michelle Scott, stated that some of the state’s leading child health experts believe that the situation is damaging children’s longterm health.

Surprisingly, no efforts have been made to employ new child health nurses in WA this year, despite the continuing shortage.

An investigation last year by WA AuditorGeneral, Mr Colin Murphy, found that 30 per cent of 18 month old children were receiving voluntary health checks, whilst only 9 per cent were checked at three years of age.

During an interview about the very same situation in April earlier this year, Dr Fiona Stanley stated that,

“I get very frustrated, I feel like sometimes banging my head against a brick wall.

We’ve been singing this song for 20 years now. Often when I go to the other states people say to me ‘what is going on with child health in the boom state?’ and I have to hang my head in shame” Across the whole state, the figure stood at one child health nurse for every 1,000 children under the age of six earlier this year.

WA’s Commissioner for Children Michelle Scott says the situation is still near breaking point.

“This is not a new issue, it’s an issue that has been ongoing over the last decade; we have allowed the amount of resources and the number of child health nurses to decline” she said.

Ms Scott continued to state that Western Australia is one of the strongest economical states, and thus this problem shouldn’t even be occurring.

“In Victoria and in South Australia, for example, they are investing in child health nurses; in Victoria, by the time a baby is four months old they will have seen a child health nurse four or five times, in Western Australia it’s likely to be 18 months if you’re lucky,” she said.

“The level of service we are giving to newborns and families in WA is far below that of children in other states are receiving.”

“What it is going to cost the state in the long run when these kids ends up as teenagers and adults with undiagnosed health problems is going to be immense.”

“A growing number of children are doing very, very poorly; they are suffering from obesity, diabetes, depression and other mental illnesses, and by the time they get to school they bring aggression problems, behaviour problems into class.”

Dr Hames says his department has looked closely at the three parliamentary reports and is making some headway on the issue.

“The Government has already invested significantly in child development services with $49.68m provided over the next four years to improve access to care and reduce the waiting lists,” A response from Health Minister Kim Hames stated that the Government acknowledged there were “gaps” in child health services and are now committed to addressing the nursing shortage.

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Educational Courses, Conferences & Events

Educational Courses, Conferences & Events Article: Sleep and the Consequences of Deprivation.......................... 28-29 The College of Nursing...................................................................... 30 Oceania University of Medicine......................................................... 31 ACNP 6th Conference for 2011......................................................... 31 COSA’s 38 Annual Scientific Meeting . .............................................. 32 CranaPlus : 29th National Conference .............................................. 33 Australian College of Midwives 17 Biennial ...................................... 33

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ANEC 23-25 November 2011, New Zealand www.nursed.ac.nz

ACEM 28th Annual Scientific Meeting Educating for our Future

Australian College for Emergency Medicine 20-24 November 2011, Sydney www.acem2011.com 27

Educational Courses, Conferences & Events

“A Midwifery Odyssey” Australian College of Midwives 18-21 October 2011 Australia Technology Park, Sydney http://www.acm2011.remark.com.au/

Inaugural (ACCYPN) Conference

Educational Courses, Conferences & Events

SLEEP

AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF DEPRIVATION Sleep. It’s something we all need and it’s something we all do. Everyone knows that eight hours of sleep a night is all you need – or is it? Some of us need slightly more, and some of us need less. I fit into the former category, whereas the rest of my family fit into the latter – certainly a cause of friction from time to time. The quality of our sleep affects our day-to-day life, as does the quantity we get and sleep deprivation can have hazardous consequences. Those working on shifts, such as night nurses will face additional challenges.

WHAT IS SLEEP DEPRIVATION?

Sleep deprivation occurs when the amount of sleep achieved is insufficient to support adequate alertness, performance and health.

Acute sleep deprivation occurs over one to two days, whereas chronic deprivation occurs when an individual routinely sleeps less than what is required for optimal functioning.

CAUSES OF SLEEP DEPRIVATION

Sleep deprivation occurs due to having poor quality sleep, or as a consequence of getting an insufficient amount of sleep.

• The quantity of sleep needed by an 28

individual can be determined by the amount needed to leave the individual feeling alert the following day • Sleep deprivation accumulates over time, so losing half an hour each night for 4 nights will result in a 2 hour sleep deficit • Once normal sleep is resumed the individual will experience rebound sleep in which they have longer periods of deep sleep Individuals achieving an appropriate quantity of sleep may feel deprived due to experiencing disturbances in the quality of their sleep.

• The number of arousals during the night determines sleep quality, along with the

percentage, duration and type of sleep stages • People may be unaware of arousals from sleep during the night as they may last only a few seconds, but this is enough to cause sleep deprivation

CONSEQUENCES OF SLEEP DEPRIVATION

• Cognitive deficits and mental status: decreased reaction and attention times; mood that resembles anxiety and depression • Crashes and workplace errors • Quality of life: inappropriate drowsiness and daytime naps can impinge on people’s quality of life as they cut back on activities they enjoy • Mortality: increased risk of mortality associated with sleep deprivation • Cardiovascular: duration of sleep can be

The benefits of a good night’s sleep are pretty clear.

Those working shifts need to be extra careful that they are able to achieve appropriate quantities of good quality sleep in order to remain alert and attentive while awake.

Continued Professional Development provided by Comment on this clinical article at: www.ausmedonline.com/nursing-blog.html Ausmed has recently added over 10 hours of medicines education to AusmedOnline, this content is available exclusively to our members. Visit www.AusmedOnline. com today to learn more about membership.

Works Cited: This article is taken from an excerpt of the Chapter ‘Medications’ in the title Aged Care Nursing: A Guide To Practice (Sussman 2003).

29

Educational Courses, Conferences & Events

The consequences of sleep deprivation vary from individual to individual, but will be quite stable within an individual. Some individuals are better able to tolerate partial or total sleep deprivation making them more suited to working shifts.

Consequences of sleep deprivation include:

inversely associated with blood pressure and coronary artery calcification • Immune function: sleep deprivation has adverse effects on immune function • Appetite: inadequate sleep may result in excessive eating and obesity

Success is Educational Courses, Conferences & Events

a Graduate Certificate in - Paediatrics - Child and family health

Enrol now for February Semester 2012

DOH supported places close 14 October 2011 Fee-paying applications close 9 January 2012 Join us on Facebook/The College of Nursing

The College of Nursing creating nursing’s future

30

Call 1800 COLLEGE (26 55 343) or www.nursing.edu.au

Your next logical step Become a physician

Earn your MBBS at Oceania University of Medicine ~ Samoa

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Many of your duties are the same as a doctor, so why not gain the rewards Gain more knowledge, more autonomy and more recognition No need to uproot family and move from friends and support systems Continue working during first two years New classes begin every March, May and August.

OCEANIA UNIVERSITY OF MEDICINE N O W I N T E R N AT I O N A L LY A C C R E D I T E D For information visit www.RNtoMBBS.org or call 1300 665 343

The 6th Conference of The Australian College of Nurse Practitioners

Nurse Practitioners: Coming of Age 6 – 8 October 2011 The Hilton Hotel

Adelaide

31

Educational Courses, Conferences & Events

RN to MBBS

Educational Courses, Conferences & Events

COSA’s 38th Annual Scientific Meeting ‘Partnerships against cancer – bridging gaps, breaking barriers’ November 15-17th 2011, Perth Convention & Exhibition Centre

The COSA Annual Scientific Meeting is the leading gathering of cancer health professionals in our region. We welcome clinicians and researchers working in cancer from medical and radiation oncology, surgery, nursing, pharmacy, and allied health.

This year’s scientific program will focus on urological and prostate cancers, as well as the role of primary care in cancer.

In 2011, COSA is partnering with the Australian and New Zealand Urogenital and Prostate Cancer Trials Group (ANZUP) which will help ensure the program includes state of the art presentations on prostate and other urogenital cancers.

Program highlights include: • Partnerships against cancer, with a presentation from David Weller titled “What role for primary care in earlier cancer diagnosis?”

• Working with General Practitioners to care for the carers of advanced cancer patients • Next generation sequencing – cancer genetics, with Andrew Biankin presenting on the International Cancer Genome Consortium • Closing the gap – consumers in cancer care, with presentations from Jessica Corner and Karl Lorenz on the international perspective, and Helen Zorbas on the Australian experience • The true cost of running trials for cooperative trials groups, including a presentation from Mitch Kirkman on the Clinical Trials Action Group report

32

• The big picture downunder – a journey from the genetics of gynaecologic cancer to policy making in gynaecologic cancer • Hot Topic Panel discussion facilitated by Robyn Williams (ABC science journalist and broadcaster) As well as the full three-day scientific program, we will host breakfast sessions each morning, covering such interesting topics as: • Cognitive behavioural interventions for cancer related insomnia • Novel approaches to consent and the barriers to involvement For advanced trainees, COSA will host a weekend workshop on “Everything you need to know about colorectal cancer” 12-13 November 2011, at the St John of God Hospital in Subiaco.

The conference is not all about presentations on the latest cancer treatment and research – we will again host preconference meetings, the conference dinner and industry dinners. There will be many opportunities for socialising with old friends and colleagues at this exciting annual event.

Visit our website www.cosa2011.org for more information and to register.

We look forward to seeing you in Perth!

Nik Zeps, ASM 2011 Convenor

Awards & Grants on offer - Best of the Best - Travel Grants - Trainee Travel Grants Visit www.cosa2011.org for registration and program information

Educational Courses, Conferences & Events

Australian College of Midwives 17th Biennial Conference 18th to 21st October 2011 Australian Technology Park, Eveleigh, Sydney, NSW

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Just send Send us photos of: us some happy •individual or group shots snaps of you and •your colleagues or yourself working your colleagues •special or social events •someone you think deserves to from your ward!

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