‘More bags of IV fluid’: Government injects $20 million to shore up local supply

The federal government will invest $20 million to help Australia’s only local manufacturer of IV fluids expand its operations to shore up the country’s supply of the critical hospital medicine. Since 2023, Australia, along with hospitals worldwide, has experienced a shortage of intravenous (IV) fluids due to increased demand, manufacturing issues, and global supply chain […]

Reducing the systemic use of restraints in aged care

Nurse practitioners with aged care expertise and specialist mental health nurses may help reduce the systemic use of restraints in residential aged care. Systemic issues within residential aged care are enabling the use of restraints, despite the practice being illegal in any other age group, highlights CQUniversity research. “Older people appear to have less rights […]

Physical activity could help combat shift worker fatigue, finds research

Physical activity has been proposed as a novel way for shift workers to adapt to changing rosters and be more alert at work. Strategic timing for exercise, light exposure, and sleep, may help with performance, mood and emotional regulation for shift workers, according to Central Queensland University (CQU) sleep research institute researchers. Previous research has targeted […]

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nurses experience harmful racism in workplaces

Racism is a persistent and damaging issue that negatively affects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nurses’ careers, physical and mental health, and overall well-being. Despite being widespread and persistent in healthcare and in nursing, little research attention and wider acknowledgement has been focussed on this damaging and hateful phenomenon that is driving First Nations nurses […]

Victoria improves nurse and midwife to patient ratios 

Victoria’s landmark nurse and midwife-to-patient ratios are set to be expanded. Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas introduced amendments to the Safe Patient Care (Nurse to Patient and Midwife to Patient Ratios) Act into parliament earlier this week, paving the way for the improvements. If passed, the new ratios will deliver: Nurse to patient and midwife to […]

From graduate nurse to CEO: the drive to make a difference 

Adeney Private Hospital in Kew, Melbourne offering no out-of-pocket costs for eligible patients insured with participating health funds opened its doors this week. At the helm CEO and registered nurse Louise O’Connor, talks to the ANMJ. “I said to the ANUMs and the nurse managers, ‘you need to just stop and appreciate what you’re doing […]