It’s been an exciting time for nursing and midwifery in 2024.
There’s been some big announcements regarding advancements for the nursing and midwifery professions. And we’ve covered it all – the big, the small and everything in-between.
Before we head into 2025, we thought we’d recap the top 10 most read ANMJ online stories published in 2024.
- After 51 days of protected industrial action, Victorian public sector nurses and midwives voted to endorse an improved state government offer of a 28.4% wage increase by November 2027, as well as more than 70 improvements to allowances, penalties and terms and conditions. Victorian nurses and midwives approve improved 28.4% wages offer
- Despite new guidelines specific for night shift workers, nurses and midwives still struggle with rostering systems that inhibit sleep and adversely impact their health. Practical strategies for shift workers
- The federal government announced that student nurses and midwives will be paid $319.50 per week while undertaking their mandatory clinical placements under a new measure to address rising ‘placement poverty’. Prac Payment: Government to pay nursing and midwifery students $319 per week during clinical placements
- Nurses and midwives shared their experiences following research suggesting that overnight eating may be putting night shift workers at higher risk of chronic health conditions. Blood glucose levels skyrocketed in study participants who either snacked or ate full meals at night. Meal timing crucial for night shift worker health
- With an ageing workforce, innovative strategies are needed to support and retain older nurses and midwives to stay in the workplace, including addressing ageism, the physical toll, fatigue and lack of support structures. The importance of supporting older nurses and midwives in the workplace
- Amid a cost-of-living crisis and as nurses and midwives in Victoria, NSW and Tasmania battle state governments for improved pay, the NMBA’s decision to freeze registration fees at $185 for this financial year comes in at number 6. NMBA freezes registration fees for 2024/2025
- A new scholarship program launched to deliver 100 trained Endometriosis Specialty Nurses to help improve care for women with the condition followed a year of new women’s health initiatives. New scholarships to deliver 100 endometriosis nurses to regional, rural and remote areas
- A survey of around 10% of the NP workforce set out to gauge views on the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia’s (NMBA) proposed RN-prescribing standard with mixed responses. What do nurse practitioners think about registered nurse (RN) prescribing?
- Following the introduction of mandated care minute targets in residential aged care, some unscrupulous providers cut the numbers of ENs in their facilities. Removing ENs from aged care would have detrimental effects on safe and high-quality care
- Legislation came into effect on 1 November that removed unnecessary barriers for nurse practitioners and endorsed midwives. Collaborative arrangements abolished, enabling NPs and endorse midwives to work to full scope
At ANMJ, we look forward to seeing many of these new initiatives come into effect as well reporting on the latest news and developments in nursing and midwifery, and health in 2025. We wish you a happy and safe holiday season.
