Respiratory nurses have been recognised for their indispensable role in improving lung health across Australia and New Zealand.
The Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (TSANZ) new position statement outlines critical priorities to strengthen the respiratory nursing workforce to ensure optimal care for individuals living with lung conditions.
The Position Statement, “Respiratory Nurse Leadership Requires Increased Profile, Role Clarity and Stronger Career Pathways: Binational Delphi Consensus Process and TSANZ Position Statement,” highlights the critical need for greater recognition, clearer roles, and stronger career pathways for respiratory nurses in Australia and New Zealand.
Investing in respiratory nursing leadership and fostering a robust workforce was not just beneficial, but essential, said TSANZ President Professor Natasha Smallwood.
“The consensus process clearly demonstrated the need for better defined roles and clearer pathways for respiratory nurses. This isn’t just about professional development; it’s about optimising patient care.
“By addressing barriers to nurses’ full contribution and prioritising the retention of this specialist workforce, we can more effectively meet the escalating demands for care, especially for those with non-communicable lung diseases.”
Respiratory nursing was an essential role for the success of national and international efforts to enhance the lives of people affected by lung diseases, according to the statement.
Fourteen key priorities under three overarching themes in the statement are designed to:
- Raise the profile and influence of respiratory nurses: ensuring their voices are heard in shaping healthcare policies and strategies.
- Define respiratory nursing as a specialised discipline: removing barriers so nurses can fully contribute their skills and knowledge.
- Articulate career progression frameworks as a roadmap to specialisation: creating clear opportunities for professional growth and ensuring that highly skilled respiratory nurses remain in the workforce.
Meeting the growing demands of populations and healthcare systems, particularly in managing chronic non-communicable lung diseases, depends on recognising, supporting, and retaining specialist respiratory nurses, the statement highlighted.
It outlines the way to better utilising the skill and expertise already demonstrated by the respiratory nursing workforce for improved lung health outcomes for Australians and New Zealanders.
The full Position Statement published in journal Respirology can be accessed here
