Update – 11 May
Join in celebrating the contribution of nurses – in particular the almost 370 nurses who work in general practice across our region – on International Nurses Day, TUESDAY, 12 MAY. SWSPHN has a team of passionate registered nurses who support your local general practice in a wealth of ways. Find out more in this special feature which also celebrates International Year of the Nurse and of the Midwife.
Most of us have been cared for in some way by the nurses at our local general practices.
But did you know primary care nurses do so much more than meets the eye?
They not only care for, but support and advocate on behalf of their patients. They assist patients to understand their current health conditions and how to manage them, and educate patients about disease prevention and health promotion. They are problem solvers. They connect patients with clinicians and services. Most importantly, they are there to listen.
The World Health Assembly has designated 2020 International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife to recognise and celebrate the vital role of nurses worldwide.
Our dedicated team of registered nurses have first-hand experience in general practice, so are passionate about supporting the 360 practice nurses employed in 190 general practices across our region.
SWSPHN’s Karen said she was taken in by the care and expertise of the nurses who cared for her uncle in hospital as a teenager and “wanted to do the same”.
She said nurses played an important role in general practice, which was generally the first point of contact people had with the health system.
“Primary care nurses enhance the multidisciplinary team approach to patient care. They improve outcomes in chronic disease, increase the range of services available at the practice, reduce waiting times, improve public access and improve integration with the acute sector.”
SWSPHN’s Kristina recognised nursing was the right path for her after a placement at a nursing home. “Seeing the care that nurses provided to their patients and being able to provide that level of care to them meant the world to me,” she said.
“Nurses play a huge role in general practice. They are advocates for patients and are there to provide their patients with the support, education and training that they require to assist them with being able to understand their current health conditions and how to manage them.”
SWSPHN’s Grace said she became a nurse because she liked to help people and wanted to do something interesting and challenging, while SWSPHN’s Lisa stepped into nursing after realising that there were so many career paths available for a nurse.
“Primary care nurses have so much to offer with their skills and knowledge,” Lisa said.
“Nurses contribute greatly to patient care and help take the pressure off general practitioners. Often GPs can get quite busy and with the availability of nurses, extra time and care can be put into the care of patients – ensuring patients are well educated and informed.”
SWSPHN’s team of registered nurses support primary care nurses through:
- Our Practice Nursing Program, which aims to strengthen our general practice workforce by mentoring, telephone support, and face-to-face education and training in areas including chronic disease management, care planning, immunisation and infection control/sterilisation.
- And new in 2020, the New to General Practice Nursing Program, which aims to upskill new graduates, and nurses returning to the workforce or transitioning from other nursing roles in places like hospitals.
Watch this video to learn about how the role of practice nurse has evolved.