Queensland unions push for equal paid parental leave
The Queensland Police Union has this week partnered with the Queensland Council of Unions in a joint campaign pushing for equal paid parental leave across the state public sector. The campaign is calling for commitments from both Labor and the LNP to assure workers of their job security, fair wages and improvements to paid parental […]
Transitioning nursing education into higher education
The transfer of nursing education to the higher education system was one of the most significant milestones in the history of nursing in Australia. Australian Nursing Federation (ANF), now the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF), has played a pivotal role in the evolution of nursing and midwifery education in Australia. Its involvement spans decades […]
Limiting soft drinks and red meat may help women in menopause
Diet quality may influence menopausal symptoms and overall quality of life, according to a nutrition study of Australian women. The research of more than 200 women with an average age of 51, found those who consumed fewer sugar-sweetened drinks were less likely to have joint and muscle complaints. In addition, a lower intake of red […]
People with iron disorder encouraged to donate blood
People with haemochromatosis who need to have blood removed in order to reduce their iron levels are being encouraged to donate at Australian Red Cross Lifeblood. Haemochromatosis, which causes the body to store too much iron affects one in every 180-200 people. The primary treatment to reduce high levels of iron is the removal of […]
Introducing a person-centred approach to indwelling urinary catheter care in aged care homes
The care workforce is central to the quality of care in aged care homes in Australia. The knowledge, confidence and skill of the aged care workforce is fundamentally important for the quality of life and wellbeing of people in aged care homes. The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety has identified the need […]
The Power of Persistence: How the ANMF’s advocacy laid the foundation for NPs in Australia
The nurse practitioner (NP) role originated in the United States in the mid-1960s to address gaps in healthcare. But it took 35 years later, on 12 December 2000, for Jane O’Connell (emergency) and Sue Denison (rural and remote health) to become Australia’s first authorised NPs. Requiring Master’s level education, NPs possess the expertise and authority […]
Climate crisis is a health crisis: Nurses and midwives call for action
Nurses and midwives have declared the climate crisis a health crisis with an immediate call to action this Global Climate Change Week (14-18 October). The Planetary Health Collaborative for Nurses and Midwives declaration highlights the devastating impact climate change is having on human health, urging policymakers to adopt health in all policies and to act […]
Virtual reality to improve mealtimes for people with dementia
A virtual reality experience to assist health workers in caring for patients with dementia at mealtimes has been recently released by Dementia Australia. Dementia Australia’s Dine with Ted allows participants to engage in a dining experience from the perspective of a person living with dementia. The three-hour virtual reality program uses avatar technology to educate […]
Enhancing clinical placement learning for nursing and midwifery students: A national quality assurance project
The National Placement Evaluation Centre (NPEC) was established in 2018 to provide an Australian national approach to monitoring nursing and midwifery student evaluations of their professional experience placements (PEP). The lack of a national monitoring system was questioned in a review of nursing.1 Initially funded by the Council of Deans Nursing and Midwifery Australia and […]
Strength in numbers: 100 years of improving the working lives of nurses and midwives
The working lives of nurses and midwives have undergone significant transformation over the past 100 years. In 1938, a typical staff nurse in Victoria earned just two pounds, four shillings, and four pence, for a 50-hour work week, caring for 10 patients during the day and 15 at night. These early nurses’ responsibilities extended far […]