APNA Online Learning
Learning on the go with APNA online learning
Cancer care during COVID
Nestled in the forest at Buderim on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, Bloomhill Cancer Care provides personalised support to people diagnosed with cancer as well as their partners, children and carers.
Strategies for a stronger primary health care workforce
There have been several recent developments on the nursing workforce front and the APNA team, including APNA President Karen Booth, has been busy advocating for primary health care nurses at various levels of government.
Nurses by the numbers
Our 2020 Workforce Survey results show that Australia’s primary health care (PHC) nurses are skilled, experienced and keen to make the most of their capabilities.
Crisis response: APNA members deployed to western NSW to help fight COVID-19
In August 2021, COVID-19 surprised health services with a rapid outbreak in outback NSW. The virus spread quickly within rural communities, including some of our most vulnerable First Nations communities where vaccination rates were low. The NSW Rural Doctors Network (RDN) – a workforce agency – was quick to call on APNA for help.
Leadership at all levels of primary health care nursing
APNA’s Transition to Practice Program is helping nurses from all walks of life to become stronger leaders and mentors. Most importantly, the program is increasing the knowledge, skills, and confidence that participants can bring to primary health care nursing.
Every Nurse’s Business
Ongoing professional development and education is every nurse’s business. Nurses strive to provide the best health outcomes for their patients; however, caring for patients with intellectual disability (ID) and/or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can involve some unique challenges for health-care professionals.
A team-based program providing complex care for veterans
The Coordinated Veterans’ Care (CVC) Program, for eligible veterans, is a team-based program where eligible veterans (participants), their GP and care coordinator (nurse or Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Worker) work together as a core Care Team to develop a comprehensive Care Plan and coordinate care.
Infection Prevention Helpline
The Victorian Infection Prevention Helpline is here to help clinicians and other staff working in primary health-care settings (e.g., general practice, community pharmacies and community-controlled Aboriginal health services) to navigate and provide support for both broad and narrow questions around infection prevention and control.
Nurse cervical screening: Challenges to and opportunities for scope of practice
Over the last 30 years, a block-funding arrangement between the Commonwealth Government and VCS Pathology enabled certified Victorian cervical screening nurses to provide cervical screening tests (CSTs) for patients without the need for sign off from a GP. This arrangement was unique to Victoria, with nurses in other states and territories not experiencing the same degree of autonomy.
COVID-19 ‘PulseCheck’ Survey
APNA has conducted a series of COVID-19 ‘PulseCheck’ Surveys with primary health care (PHC) nurses since the start of the pandemic. The third survey in the 2021 series reveals that PHC nurses are working hard to educate patients on the COVID vaccine and to reduce vaccine hesitancy.
Nurse clinics supporting the implementation of smoking-cessation strategies
Registered nurse and APNA member Ellen Gvozdenko has identified the need to implement smoking-cessation strategies to address alarming tobacco-dependence rates within her local community. Working at Interchange Health Co-operative in Greenway, ACT, Ellen applied to participate in APNA’s Building Nurse Capacity project to establish a Smoking-Cessation Nurse Clinic.
Nicotine vaping products for smoking cessation: what you need to know
Tobacco smoking is a major risk factor for almost all types of cardiovascular disease and has been shown to at least double the risk of heart attack and heart failure.1 The good news is that 1 year after quitting smoking the increased risk of cardiovascular events and mortality halves, and after about 15 to 20 years the rate is similar to that of someone who has never smoked
Don’t be a fossil fool: How nurses can talk about climate and health
It will be no surprise to nurses that when it comes to public health, effective communication saves lives. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted how important it is that information be delivered clearly to ensure public safety.
Could a routine blood test improve dementia outcomes, and transform care for people with symptoms and illnesses of the mind and brain?
Timely and accurate diagnosis of dementia can be challenging. Many people face years of multiple assessments, repeated and costly investigations, misdiagnosis, uncertainty, frustration, and stress. All this is associated with significant negative outcomes for them, their families, their clinicians, and health care systems. To help improve early and accurate diagnosis and outcomes, a team of researchers from Neuropsychiatry at the Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH) are exploring blood biomarkers for people with cognitive, psychiatric and neurological symptoms through the Markers in Neuropsychiatric Disorders (MiND) Study.
A support network for primary health care practitioners: Australia’s first online contraception and abortion community of practice for PHC
Intrauterine devices (IUDs), contraceptive implants and early medical abortion (EMA) are safe and effective. So why aren’t they being utilised more by primary care clinicians?
New training for nurses: End of Life Law for Clinicians
Primary health care nurses have a significant and growing role in delivering end-of-life care1 in general practice, aged care, community health and other settings. Their clinical role at the end of life is multifaceted, and can include providing medical and personal care; recognising and responding to deterioration; involvement in clinical decision-making; and care coordination.
Supporting the emotional wellbeing of the health sector
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Australia’s health-care workforce has played a critical role in protecting the broader community from the virus. While the broader community has experienced increased emotional distress, unease from greater uncertainty, and negative impacts to emotional wellbeing, the same goes for members of our health-care workforce.
Congratulations and thanks to all nurses who are continuing the fight against COVID-19
Despite prolonged periods of lockdown for many of us, the essential work of nurses continues unabated to support the health and wellbeing of Australians.
