The evolution of nursing in Australian general practice: a comparative analysis of workforce surveys ten years on
Elizabeth J Halcomb,Yenna Salamonson,Patricia M. Davidson,Rajneesh Kaur,Samantha A. M. Young +4 more
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This study has identified that some of the structural barriers to nursing in Australian general practice have been addressed over time, however, it also identifies continuing barriers that impact practice nurse role development.Abstract:
Nursing in Australian general practice has grown rapidly over the last decade in response to government initiatives to strengthen primary care. There are limited data about how this expansion has impacted on the nursing role, scope of practice and workforce characteristics. This study aimed to describe the current demographic and employment characteristics of Australian nurses working in general practice and explore trends in their role over time. In the nascence of the expansion of the role of nurses in Australian general practice (2003–2004) a national survey was undertaken to describe nurse demographics, clinical roles and competencies. This survey was repeated in 2009–2010 and comparative analysis of the datasets undertaken to explore workforce changes over time. Two hundred eighty four nurses employed in general practice completed the first survey (2003/04) and 235 completed the second survey (2009/10). Significantly more participants in Study 2 were undertaking follow-up of pathology results, physical assessment and disease specific health education. There was also a statistically significant increase in the participants who felt that further education/training would augment their confidence in all clinical tasks (p < 0.001). Whilst the impact of legal implications as a barrier to the nurses’ role in general practice decreased between the two time points, more participants perceived lack of space, job descriptions, confidence to negotiate with general practitioners and personal desire to enhance their role as barriers. Access to education and training as a facilitator to nursing role expansion increased between the two studies. The level of optimism of participants for the future of the nurses’ role in general practice was slightly decreased over time. This study has identified that some of the structural barriers to nursing in Australian general practice have been addressed over time. However, it also identifies continuing barriers that impact practice nurse role development. Understanding and addressing these issues is vital to optimise the effectiveness of the primary care nursing workforce.read more
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The Experiences of Primary Healthcare Nurses During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Australia.
Elizabeth J Halcomb,Susan McInnes,Anna Williams,Christine Ashley,Sharon James,Ritin Fernandez,Catherine Stephen,Kaara Ray B. Calma +7 more
TL;DR: The study findings highlighted a concerning level of insecurity around primary healthcare nursing employment, as well as issues with the availability of personal protective equipment for these nurses.
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Nursing competency standards in primary health care: an integrative review
TL;DR: Given the potential value of competency standards, further work is required to develop and test robust standards that can communicate the skills and knowledge required of nurses working in primary health care settings to policy makers, employers, other health professionals and consumers.
Journal ArticleDOI
The support needs of Australian primary health care nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Elizabeth J Halcomb,Elizabeth J Halcomb,Anna Williams,Christine Ashley,Susan McInnes,Catherine Stephen,Kaara Ray B. Calma,Sharon James +7 more
TL;DR: A number of key issues relating to personal health and safety, care quality, and job security need to be addressed to support primary healthcare nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Journal ArticleDOI
The development of professional practice standards for Australian general practice nurses
TL;DR: The development of national professional practice standards for nurses working in Australian general practice will support ongoing workforce development and are also an important means of articulating the role and scope of the nurses' practice for both consumers and other health professionals.
Journal ArticleDOI
Nursing students' intentions to enter primary health care as a career option: Findings from a national survey.
TL;DR: Education and workplace strategies aimed at attracting new graduate nurse into Primary Health Care settings are imperative to address the increased prevalence of chronic health issues and the predicted ongoing primary health care workforce shortages.
References
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Imbalance in the health workforce
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Nurses in Australian general practice: implications for chronic disease management
Elizabeth J Halcomb,Patricia M. Davidson,Yenna Salamonson,Richard L. Ollerton,Rhonda Griffiths +4 more
TL;DR: Practice nurses are a clinically experienced workforce whose skills are not optimally harnessed to improve the care of the growing number of people with chronic and complex conditions and a need to overcome the funding, regulatory and interprofessional barriers that currently constrain the practice nurse role.
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