| Letter to the President |
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| Thursday, 18 December 2008 08:15 |
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Silently I have been reading comments made by the members of the Australian Nurse Practitioner Association. I have listened and read the development of the Nurse Practitioner with-in different disciplines, some new and unique job descriptions have been developed in area where health care was lacking throughout Australia. While some candidates have been quite successful in the applications there are many, like myself, who flounder with-in the health system. seeking and searching for opportunity to develop professionally as a nurse practitioner. My hard work has not paid off, or at least not yet. I feel it is important that potential candidates understand just how rough the political road can be for many who are seeking accreditation as a nurse practitioner. More importantly, how the underlaying politics (both nursing and medical) can result in an endless barrier of brick walls and frustration.The bottom-line is, if you don't have support from your Nursing Administration and Medical Directors you will just end-up frustrated. There is no point in tailoring your career plans towards becoming a nurse practitioner - if you simply don't have any support to increase your scope of practice in the first place. Here is my situation, and although my hard work and dedication is unquestionable with-in my current employment as an Anaesthetic Nurse, it has become obvious to me after 6 years.... I am going no-where and that I cant even find a side-avenue to career fulfilment. Anaesthetics is a highly protected territory with-in the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetist (ANZCA). In Adelaide we have a few nurse seditionist - however only in the Royal Adelaide Hospital. Apart from that, nurses do not have a role in Anaesthetics. It has take me 6 years of hard work, blood and tears to learn that nursing administrators do not have the power to instigate or initiate increasing the role of anaesthetic nurses. While some may empathise the heartbreak work I have done, no one has the power to make change for nurses unless successful negotiation is possible with the medical directors of your hospital. The reality in the end hurts, but it is the reality! So while there maybe many hopefuls out there working hard towards increasing their scope of development, there will be areas where it is too political. It doesn't matter what approach or strategy you have, I guess no, means no. I am hoping to finish my Masters of Nursing Science - Nurse Practitioner next year. However, I need to change my chosen discipline of nursing if I am ever going to apply for accreditation as a nurse practitioner. Unfortunately - I will miss Anaesthetics. Let face it, if there is no demand for the position, if a candidate can't gain support to increase his/her scope of practice, if you can demonstrate economic benefit to the heath provider, or you cant demonstrate a lack in a particular service - don't waste your time. Most importantly, if you have attempted every avenue with no satisfaction or progression there is no point in continuing down the same old road. Get out of the speciality - work on something more achievable. My motivation in writing is that I don't want others to fall into false hope as I did! Regards, PAUL REEVES (R.N. R.M.H.N.) |
| Last Updated ( Friday, 16 January 2009 14:23 ) |
| Health package to offer better care outside hospitals |
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Author: Nick Miller and Leo Shanahan Date: 14/02/2009 Source: AGE BETTER care for the seriously ill outside hospitals is tipped to be part of a major health reform document to be released on Monday. Health Minister Nicola Roxon says the interim report from the Federal Government's National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission contains some "radical" ideas. The Age believes such ideas include changing the balance between public and private treatment.
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