Experiences as Nurse Practitioners

Rose McCrohan

(ReGen and Western Health)

Presentation

In this presentation the AOD NP’s will discuss the benefits of their practice, where they see their directions in the future especially as pharmacotherapy prescribers.

Background

Two AOD NP’s in Victoria

Both provide access to substitution pharmacotherapies in their roles.

There are no funded roles for AOD Nurse Practitioners in Victoria. Organisations must fund these out of existing roles.

NP roles

They provide timely treatment access for clients seeking support for all substance types.

Endorsed in Primary Health Category

Completed Methadone and Suboxone prescribers course

AOD NP at ReGen

Primarily in the Nurse Unit manager role with added clinical role as one of 5 prescribers in the CRDWU

Private outpatient clinic in 2012

Short term care

Experiences in Residential

Major benefit of NP role incorporated into existing role

Continuity of careExtension of the non prescribing

aspects of the role acknowledgedGP Shared Care ModelOnsite prescribingUnderstanding the needs of the

Physician, GP and the RN

Experiences in Private practice

Establishment of a businessFunded through Medicare itemsSupport from ReGenRoom, administrationOnce weekly clinic with 2 morning

reviews of inpatientsLimited Medicare items restrict full

scope of practice as NP. Only face to face clinical sessions attract remuneration.

Experiences in Private Practice

Only client attended activities attract remuneration

Client non attendance impactAfter hours and non remunerable work

Opportunities

Gaps in the substitution pharmacotherapy workforce

Consultation liaison in public hospitalsOutpatient / non residential

withdrawalAdult and youth withdrawal unitsChronic disease management General practice