Communities across Australia rely on Registered Nurses (RNs) to provide primary care, acute care and aged care. They are skilled, capable and trusted healthcare practitioners often working in some of the most rural and remote parts of the country.
In March 2023, the Australian Government released the National Rural and Remote Nursing Generalist Framework 2023–2027. The Framework is a world first and describes the unique context of practice and core capabilities for rural and remote Registered Nurses in Australia.
As well as describing skills, capabilities and support needed by RNs, the Framework emphasises the importance of clinical decision-making judgement of the patient’s situation, culturally safe practice, collaboration, and partnerships with clients, families and communities.
The framework is for RNs who work in rural and remote locations across Australia, or are looking to relocate there. One such nurse who relocated is Clinton Archer, with Queensland Health, who was interviewed by Australian Health Journal for this segment.
Other ways the the Framework can be applied include:
- For Registered Nurses, mapping their development of the capabilities with a mentor, to develop from formative to proficient skill levels.
- For Educators and Education Providers, supporting individual skill development or curriculum based on the capabilities.
- Government, Organisations and Employers, using the Framework as a guide to grow and support the development of a skilled rural and remote RN workforce
The Framework was developed by the Office of the National Rural Health Commissioner and Australian Health Journal spoke with National Rural Health Commissioner, Adjunct Professor Ruth Stewart, and Deputy National Rural Health Commissioner – Nursing and Midwifery, Adjunct Professor Shelley Nowlan, on the importance of rural and remote nursing and of the Framework itself.
Important contributions and expertise of the members of the National Rural and Remote Nursing Generalist Framework Steering Committee (Steering Committee) led the Framework through its development and consultation. Steering Committee members represented the following organisations.
- Office of the National Rural Health Commissioner
- Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care
- Australian and New Zealand Council of Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officers
- Australian College of Nurse Practitioners (ACNP)
- Australian College of Nursing (ACN)
- Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC)
- Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF)
- Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA)
- Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives (CATSINaM)
- Council of Deans of Nursing and Midwifery (CDNM)
- Council of Remote Area Nurses of Australia (CRANAplus)
- James Cook University
- Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA)
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FULL FEATURE Consumers and communities as agents of health care change and improvement
Policymakers, health administrators and clinicians must learn and embrace new ways to harness the transformative role consumers, community members and carers can play. Conversely, consumers and communities need support, capability and capacity to engage as equals in policy, research, program and service design. This is necessary if are to be less technocratic and realise the vision where all members of society can live the best life possible.
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Updated handbook on chronic kidney disease management in primary care
Kidney Health Australia’s latest kidney disease guide for primary care practitioners is expected to be pivotal in slowing down the rates of kidney failure, which have doubled in the past 20 years and if left unchecked will grow by a further 42% by 2030, according to the health charity.
With specific reference to new kidney treatments and culturally safe kidney care for First Nations Australians, the 5th edition of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Management in Primary Care handbook, known as the ‘kidney bible’, is a significant step-up in enabling earlier diagnosis of kidney disease for GPs and other front-line healthcare professionals.
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Shared experiences in written blogs help early career nurses.
When Emerging Nurse Leader, Lucy Osborn MACN started her career in nursing, she knew the importance of continuing development and learning.
In 2017 she started to write “The Scrubs That Fit” blog series for the Australian College of Nursing blog NurseClick. Lucy first started to write to keep a journal of her experiences, and an opportunity to improve her writing skills. To date, over 50 articles have been written in all areas of interest for new nurses.
As students and early career nurses Carina Fernandes and Hayley Pollock both found the writing invaluable for their transition. Hayley comments, “I don’t feel alone in what I’m experiencing and there are helpful tips in being a student as well as transitioning to being a graduate. It answers the questions I don’t always feel I can ask face to face”.
