APNA Online Learning
Learning on the go with APNA online learning
Long-serving board member appointed CEO
APNA has appointed board member Ken Griffin as Chief Executive Officer.
APNA welcomes Dr Tony Hobbs back on board
APNA welcomes the return of Dr Tony Hobbs to its Board. Dr Hobbs, who served on the APNA Board in 2011 and 2012, brings significant expertise in general practice administration, Australian health policy, and corporate governance.
Are you interested in improving the quality of data that is collected in primary health care?
APNA is excited to be part of a project with the CSIRO on this topic and we would value your input..png)
Member profile : Cathy Carrasco
APNA Nurse of the Year, Cathy Carrasco, is widely regarded as an extremely experienced registered nurse with a wealth of knowledge.
The view from the other side
As an Australian enrolled nurse now living in Canada for two years, I’ve found myself unemployable as a nurse. As a health consumer in Canada, in particular in Halifax Nova Scotia, family medicine (general practice) seems to be a fractured and understaffed area of care..png)
How do you get a job in general practice?
Career opportunities in general practice are on the rise. With 63% of general practices in Australia employing at least one nurse, general practice (GP) nursing is the fastest growing area within the healthcare sector.
Vaccinations: New resources to address common questions
Two new immunisation resources are now available to help parents better understand immunisation and to answer key questions about vaccination.
Carnegie nurse wins Nurse of the Year at prestigious national awards
Winner of the Nurse of the year award category, Cathy said it was important that the public learnt more about the role of primary care nurses in their community.
My Health Record update: Legislation changes
August 2018. Last week the Hon Greg Hunt MP, Minister for Health, announced legislative changes to the My Health Record to strengthen privacy provisions under the My Health Record Act.
Nurse practitioner Chris Helms receives the Rosemary Bryant Award
June 2018. Canberra nurse, Chris Helms (PhD in nursing), receives the Rosemary Bryant Award, in recognition of his contribution to the nursing profession.
News: Improving clinical practice and patient care in nocturnal enuresis
May 2018. Release of a new report addressing the need for children to have timely access to appropriate healthcare for the management of urinary incontinence1 coincides with today’s launch of the second edition of the Australian Nocturnal Enuresis Resource Kit in the lead up to World Bedwetting Day (Tuesday, May 29, 2018).
News: Changes to Domiciliary Medication Management Review (DMMR)
June 2018. Part of APNA’s Transition to Practice Pilot Program (TPPP), has been to ensure nurses stay informed of primary health care news and best practice. All nurses are actively encouraged to seek out additional and external resources, news and information, including keeping abreast of any changes occurring in local or national government. One such change has occurred recently, with the MBS requirements for Item 900 becoming more robust. Read more....png)
Are you getting the most out of your nursing workforce?
June 2018. Australia faces a shortfall of 38,000 nurses in the primary health care sector by 2030, if industry stakeholders remain apathetic about workforce retention and recruitment.
News: Getting you through the Flu (season)
May 2018. One of the most common questions APNA’s nurse support line has been answering over the past week has been: How do we reduce anxiety in our at risk groups (especially the over 65s) when there’s an influenza (flu) vaccine shortage?
Here is how you pump up the volume - The trifecta of improving primary healthcare
May 2018. A collaborative healthcare approach with nurses at the helm of managing patient care is not a new concept. Yet this alternate model of care is neither well understood nor fully embraced by the primary health sector.
News: Australian Government announces ongoing funding for APNA
On 8 May 2018, the Australian Government announced it will help strengthen the role of nurses in delivering primary health to meet the future health care needs of the Australian community.
News: Multi-drug resistant gonorrhea
April 2018. Two cases of multi-drug resistant gonorrhoea have been recently detected in Australia. One case was diagnosed in Western Australia and a second case diagnosed in Queensland.
News: 2018 National Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Program
May 2018. Find out the key facts you should know about influenza vaccination in 2018, including resources and information from the Department of Health, ATAGI and the TGA.
News: Are you ready for winter's woes?
April 2018. Winter is on the way. It’s the season most associated with the hardship of illness such as influenza. Influenza or 'the flu' as it is commonly called, is usually identified as a mild illness, but for children under five years of age, pregnant women, and people over the age of 65 it can be severe and occasionally fatal.
News: Vaccinating patients against shingles
April 2018. With the flu season upon us, now comes a timely reminder to general practitioners in your practice about the importance of adult vaccination against shingles. Health professional-only information.
News: Tough Talk – Australian urged to plan for end of life care
April 2018. Australia’s inaugural Advance Care Planning Week begins on 16 April, encouraging people of all ages to prepare their personal end of life care plans, to give certainty to themselves and their families. Department of Health Media release.
News: Cultural safety matters – The conversation we need to keep having
April 2018. APNA’s president Karen Booth says 'APNA wants to reiterate their support for Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia’s code of conduct. The code has included extensive consultation across nursing and midwifery, and provides care that is holistic, free of bias and racism, and most importantly respectful of cultural safety for all cultures.'
News: Better care at end of life gets a boost with new website
April 2018. The End of Life Directions for Aged Care website has been launched. It provides practical and useful information for palliative care and advance care planning. Read more....png)
News: Janine Mohamed: Cultural safety matters – The conversation we need to keep having
March 2018. An article from Janine Mohammed, CEO of CATSINaM on the new code of conduct for nurses and midwives set by the Nursing and Midwife Board of Australia from 1 March 2018.
News: The Bega Teen Clinic
March 2018. The Bega Teen Clinic is a nurse-led, early intervention model of access to primary health care for teenagers, which sits within existing general practices providing a drop-in service for young people in rural towns and supported by APNA through the Enhanced Nurse Clinics program.Smart digital health to help drive government's chronic disease initiative
December 2017. A smart system capable of recognising patients at risk of hospitalisation has been released this week as part of a primary health care initiative in Australia to tackle the growing epidemic of chronic illness.
Improving patient outcomes – Primary health care nurses working to the breadth of their scope of practice
September 2017. APNA Position Statement: Nurses working to their full scope of practice as part of an interdisciplinary team can enable more integrated, efficient and accessible healthcare. September 2017.
What will Health Care Homes mean for nurses?
December 2017. Find out the latest about the Health Care Homes initiative and the role of nurses, including the Health Care Homes Q&A panel from the 2017 APNA conference, perspectives from those support practices involved, and a webinar on the role of nurse transformation._2.png)
News: The first My Health Record connected town in Australia
March 2018. The community of Berrigan in NSW is the first town in Australia where all key healthcare providers are connected and using My Health Record.
Severe Asthma Toolkit - Evidence-based asthma education
July 2018. The Severe Asthma Toolkit is a dedicated, evidence-based online resource to support clinical care. The toolkit also provides practical resources that can be accessed in the clinic to support clinical management.
News: Government dedicates $50 million towards cancer patients
July 2018. The Turnbull Government will provide $50 million to support some of Australia’s sickest patients, battling ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, thyroid cancer, renal cell cancer and sarcomas, to access potentially life saving medical treatment. The new national program–The Australian Genomic Cancer Medicine Program–will treat more than 5,000 patients nationally, from every state and territory. Read more...
Primary Care and Mental Health elearning modules
July 2018. The Primary Care and Mental Health elearning modules are available for nurses working in primary health care. The modules cover mental health screening, assessment, planning care, referral and documentation and are developed by the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses (ACMHN). Mental Health Practice Standards for Nurses are also available.
New Primary Care Toolkit fact sheets - Palliative and advanced care
August 2018. Created by the Australian Healthcare and Hospital Association the End of Life Directions for Aged Care Primary Care Toolkit now contains new factsheets for primary health care providers in addition to the existing resources. Find out more...
Want to know more about Haemochromatosis?
Augsut 2018. APNA's Haemochromatosis for Nurses is an online course developed to provide an understanding of haemochromatosis, its symptoms, diagnosis, and management. Developed by Haemochromatosis Australia for APNA, this course takes approx. 1 CPD hour and costs $38.50 for non-members. Get learning now!
Caring@home - Resources for palliative care
Caring@home is a national project led by the Brisbane South Palliative Care Collaborative, and funded by the Australian Government. It has produced resources for community service providers and health care professionals to support carers manage breakthrough symptoms safely using subcutaneous medicines. Find out more....png)
Refugee Health Assessment Template launched
The Victorian Refugee Health Network have launched the 2018 update of the Refugee Health Assessment Template. Endorsed by APNA and developed in collaboration with health professionals and bicultural workers from refugee backgrounds, the template supports the delivery of refugee health assessments in line with current clinical recommendations, while allowing flexibility in approach.
Encourage My Health Record uptake by patients
Want to encourage My Health Record uptake in your practice? These videos and articles of patient stories show how My Health Record can help patients better manage and coordinate their health care. Watch and read here...
Funding to improve those with allergies
The Government will invest more than half a million dollars in projects to improve the lives of Australians who live with allergies. Projects include development of standardised food allergy content to be included in all accredited food hygiene courses and the development of online resources for teens and young adults with allergies to share their experiences. Read more....png)
Department of Veterans' Affairs Toolbox trial
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) is currently testing a new DVA Toolbox for Coordinated Veterans’ Care (CVC), which supports medical clinics and practitioners who enrol and care for DVA clients in the CVC Program. Health professionals are invited to access and trial the toolbox during the testing phase.
Cyber security alert: Wannacry
Over recent weeks, the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) has become aware of media devices within a small number of organisations in the health sector being infected with WannaCry ransomware.
Scotland’s 'poaching' of WA nurses shines light on labour problem
"When you have other countries investing a lot more, that’s where the workforce will go." APNA President Karen Booth speaks with WA Today.
Aged Care Quality Standards
July marks the commencement of the new national Aged Care Quality Standards which apply to all aged care settings including residential and in-home aged care services..png)
CPD points are now available for general practice nurses
APNA members will now be awarded CPD points and hours for their involvement in achieving AGPAL accreditation.
