No images? Click here Need to knowSeptember 2020 I start this message with an acknowledgement of the hard work and hardships of all members of the nursing and midwifery professions. We are experiencing continuous challenges and changes through these times of a global pandemic. I also recognise the hardships within our families and communities, across the other health professions working with us, and in the other states and territories of Australia. There have been sad costs, lives lost, and we are protecting ourselves and others through our care and standards of practice. Throughout these times, we can uphold and support wellness in all its forms and possibilities. The Nurse and Midwife support service is there for us. We need to offer and ask for help; this gives us power and comradeship. In this edition of Need to know we highlight some areas of emerging concern and provide some resources to support your best practice. We also introduce the Council’s three new members; they bring valuable knowledge, expertise, diversity and commitment to public safety and the midwifery and nursing professions. There is also a call out to NSW Enrolled Nurses – we need your expertise and involvement in the Council’s work to ensure responsive and informed professional regulation and guidance. Most of all – let’s continue to support each other and sustain best practice.
Associate Professor Bethne Hart NewsIncreasing number of complaints regarding vaccinationIn the 2019-20 financial year, the Nursing and Midwifery Council of NSW received 30 complaints concerning vaccination and vaccination related issues - a significant rise compared to previous years. The majority of these complaints related to issues in general practice and the inappropriate use of social media. Vaccination continues to be an effective means of reducing the mortality and morbidity rates related to vaccine-preventable diseases in Australia. Having trained health professionals is crucial in ensuring successful delivery of vaccination services to improve immunisation coverage rates nationally. The Australian National Immunisation Handbook 10th edition, which is endorsed by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA), provides evidence-based advice about the safe and effective use of vaccines and the public health benefits associated with vaccination. You can find a link to the handbook on the NMBA website along with their official position on nurses, midwives and vaccination. The Australian College of Nursing is offering a short, flexible course for nurses and midwives to develop their understanding of vaccination. The course will help participants gain the essential attributes to be vaccination advocates and promote vaccination uptake nationally. Additionally, if you are employed in connection with a vaccination program, completion of this course will make you eligible to apply to immunise independent of medical officers. Avoiding the pitfalls of social mediaIt's important to be careful about what you like or post online - information published on social media is often impossible to remove or change and can be circulated widely, easily and rapidly. Inappropriate use of social media can result in harm to patients and the profession. Common issues include breaches of confidentiality, defamation of colleagues or employers, violation of practitioner–patient boundaries or an unintended exposure of personal information to the public. The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and National Boards have published a guide to help nurses and midwives understand and meet their obligations when using social media. The guide is based on the idea that every practitioner should maintain professional standards and be aware of the implications of their actions when interacting online, just as when they interact in person. Opportunity for Enrolled Nurses - We need you!We are calling for expressions of interest from NSW Enrolled Nurses of all experience levels to become professional members. Professional members play a pivotal role in regulating nursing by:
Being a professional member can be a great developmental opportunity as you will be exposed to a wide variety of regulatory and practical issues. Professional members often transfer the experience gained from being a professional member to improve the culture and standards in their own workplace. Meet the Council’s newest membersThe Nursing and Midwifery Council of NSW welcomed three new members in July 2020:
In this Q&A, the new members share a bit about their background and what inspired them to join the Council. A great listen – Podcast with UK’s ‘Chief Nurse’Anne Marie Rafferty, President of the UK’s Royal College of Nursing and Professor of Nursing Policy at King’s College London, featured on Julia Gillard’s podcast to discuss pertinent issues concerning nursing including:
Are you 18-35? We need your helpDid you know that almost a third of practising nurses and midwives in NSW are aged 18-35? Australians in this age group also have the highest rate of COVID-19 infection. As practitioners, you know that testing is the best way to protect yourself and others. But many people don’t. We need your help to spread the word to your family, friends and peers. Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19, even mild symptoms, should get tested at a COVID-19 testing clinic. We want to hear from you!Please complete this quick three-question survey so we can better cater our content to your needs. We acknowledge that we are located on the traditional lands of the Eora Nation and pay our respects to Elders past, present and future. |