South Western Sydney Centre for Education & Workforce Development

Nursing Work Experience

Guidelines for SWSLHD staff providing nursing work experience for school students

2018 Edition

© South Western Sydney Centre for Education and Workforce Development This work is copyright. It may be reproduced in whole or in part for information sharing purposes subject to the inclusion of an acknowledgement of the source. It may not be reproduced for commercial usage or sale. Reproduction for purposes other than those indicated above requires written permission from the NSW Ministry of Health. Published: January 2018 SWS Centre for Education and Workforce Development (SWSCEWD) Eastern Campus Liverpool Hospital Elizabeth Street Liverpool NSW 2170 Postal address: Locked Bag 7279 Liverpool BC NSW 1871

Email: SWSCEWD.NursingWE@health.nsw.gov.au Website: http://www.swslhd.nsw.gov.au/cewd/ Phone: 02 - 8738 5920 Information contained in this publication was correct at the time of printing. Guidelines for SWSLHD staff providing nursing work experience for young students January 2016

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Table of Contents

1. What is Nursing Work Experience ................................................. 5

2. SWSLHD Commitment................................................................... 5

3. Stakeholders ................................................................................. 5

4. Before the placement ................................................................... 6

5. During the placement ................................................................... 6

6. After the placement ...................................................................... 7

7. Duty of Care .................................................................................. 7

8. Legal requirements and documentation ........................................ 8

9. Accidents and emergencies ........................................................... 9

10. Duration ..................................................................................... 9

11. Benefits for employers ............................................................. 10

12. How does Nursing Work Experience work in SWSLHD ............... 11

13. Orientation .............................................................................. 13

14. Evaluation & Feedback ............................................................. 13

15. Certification ............................................................................. 14

16. SWSCEWD Nursing Work Experience Team ............................... 14

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1. What is Nursing Work Experience Nursing Work Experience is undertaken by students in Years 10-12 and provides young students with an introduction to the ‘world of work’ in the nursing profession. Students are able to: 1. observe a variety of nursing work being done 2. undertake supervised work appropriate to their skill level 3. ask questions about the workplace 4. gain general skills related to being at work 5. learn how the public health system works and gain experience in the patient care

environment 6. find out about careers and training and employment opportunities 7. fine-tune their career aspirations and career and transition planning.

2. SWSLHD Commitment

South Western Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD) is committed to providing a high quality, innovative and accessible education and training experience for its staff and a number of students participating in interdisciplinary training opportunities. The Nursing Work Experience program is one such initiative that SWSLHD has been involved in over the years. This program gives young students the opportunity to - 1. explore nursing as a tentative career option 2. gain general skills about being in a professional work environment 3. understand the workings of a public health system and gain experience in the patient care

environment 4. gain a deeper understanding about the range of careers opportunities 5. make informed decisions about the career pathway they would like to choose 6. appreciate the impact of social and technological change in the health industry 7. enhance self-esteem and confidence 8. further develop social and communication skills The South Western Sydney Centre for Education & Workforce Development (SWSCEWD) facilitates this program in SWSLHD for nursing work experience placements across the district.

3. Stakeholders The most important stakeholders in the Nursing Work Experience process are: 1. Student (includes their parents) 2. Student’s school’s Careers Advisor 3. SWSCEWD Nursing Work Experience Team

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4. SWSLHD facility unit/department Managers 5. Clinical Nurse Educator (CNE) or Clinical Midwifery Educator (CME) 6. Workplace Preceptor (if not the CNE/CME)

All communication prior to the commencement of work experience will be between SWSCEWD and the school’s Careers Advisor in order to facilitate the placement process.

The SWSLHD facility unit/department managers, CNEs/CMEs and workplace Preceptors must communicate with the student directly during the work experience placement or with SWSCEWD for any matters that require resolution or escalation. The SWSLHD facility unit/department managers, CNEs/CMEs and workplace Preceptors must not directly contact student’s parents/career or school’s careers advisor unless it is an emergency during the placement. Please refer to point 8.4 on page 9 of this document for detailed information.

4. Before the placement A significant amount of work is managed by the SWSCEWD Nursing Work Experience team to ensure there is appropriate engagement with the Careers Advisors for determining the suitability of students to be placed in the SWSLHD facilities. The SWSCEWD Nursing Work Experience team also ensures Nursing Unit Managers, CNEs/CMEs and Workplace Preceptors are engaged and well informed of the work experience placements. Some of the activities undertaken by the SWSCEWD Nursing Work Experience team are listed below: 1. Careers Advisors Information Forums. 2. Development and management of SWSLHD Nursing Work Experience website via the

SWSCEWD website. 3. Assessment of documentation provided by Careers Advisors to ensure students are

vaccinated as necessary. 4. Engagement with Nursing Unit Managers and Clinical Nurse Educators for yearly/weekly

placements. 5. Acting as the liaison between the Careers Advisors and facility departments/units

managers, educators and preceptors. 6. Collation and review of evaluation and feedback for appropriate dissemination and

escalation as necessary.

5. During the placement

During their work experience placements – 1. Students attend the workplace every day for the duration of the placement. 2. Workplace Preceptors supervise the students in the workplace, providing tasks that are

agreed and appropriate and at times, challenging for the student.

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3. The manager and workplace preceptor take action to provide a safe working environment, in accordance with the requirements of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW) and the child protection and anti-discrimination legislation.

4. The School’s Careers Advisor may make a supervisory visit or phone call to the hospital’s department manager/CNE/CME/Preceptor or the student to check on their progress, safety and welfare. The Careers Advisor has to contact SWSCEWD Nursing Work Experience Coordinator to organise this.

5. Unit/Department Managers/Preceptors report any incidents involving the student to the point of contact in SWSCEWD who informs the relevant school’s Career Advisor of the incident/s.

6. After the placement

At the end of the placement – 1. Workplace CNEs/CMEs/Preceptors provide constructive feedback on the student’s work

experience engagement on a daily basis 2. The SWSCEWD Nursing Work Experience Coordinator provides a combined feedback to the

student at the end of the placement. 3. The Student provides feedback on their experience in the ward/SWSLHD at the end of the

placement. 4. SWSCEWD receives and collates both responses and develops a summary which is tabled at

different forums. Matters raised by students that require immediate resolution are escalated by SWSCEWD to relevant unit managers. This may occur during the placement or at the end of the placement depending on when the feedback was provided by the student.

7. Duty of Care

The school maintains a duty of care to students undertaking workplace learning. The Careers Advisor acting on behalf of the School is responsible for deciding if placements are suitable, preparing students for workplace learning, monitoring the student’s progress and welfare during the placement and following up with them immediately afterwards.

Providing a richer, deeper, quality experience: Some tips for making the experience successful for students

Engage the student straight away as the first hour can set the tone for the week.

Talk to the student so that they understand their safety rights and responsibilities.

Talk with the student about their current school work so you can set the work at the right skill level for them.

Consider hosting students in pairs to give them buddy support to solve problems and get the work done.

Busy students tend to be happier and learn more.

Have a reserve list of jobs for them to do.

Debrief with the student at the end of each day and plan tomorrow’s work.

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It is the responsibility of the units/departments managers within SWSLHD to provide a safe workplace environment and appropriate supervision for the student. Units/departments within SWSLHD must report Work Health Safety (WHS) issues or concerns to the SWSCEWD Nursing Work Experience Coordinator to ensure Schools are informed of any concerns. Parents and carers are required to be or can nominate an alternative emergency contact for any emergencies that occur outside normal business hours. See Section 8 of this guide for detailed information.

8. Legal requirements and documentation

Students on placement are classified as ‘voluntary workers’ and SWSLHD units/departments are not required to make any payment to them under the Federal or State award covering their industry, the NSW Annual Holidays Act or the Workers Compensation Act. Any payment to the student may invalidate the Department’s insurance and indemnity arrangements. Each student is issued with a Student Placement Record to document the arrangements for their placement. This important form allows for information to be shared and approved by all parties − the student, their parent/carer, SWSLHD and the school. SWSCEWD completes the Student Placement Record form and ensures a copy of this form is provided to the student placed on work experience. Once all parties have provided and approved the information on the Student Placement Record, the Department’s insurance and indemnity arrangements for SWSLHD and the student are in place. The SWSCEWD Nursing Work Experience Team and the SWSLHD facility unit/department must ensure the following conditions are observed: 1. Participating students must be aged 15 years or over. 2. No student can be directed to carry out any task that is not safe. 3. Employers and employees must respect the rights of students to a safe and healthy

workplace, free from harassment, discrimination and any conduct that is unacceptable in terms of child protection.

4. Unit/Department managers must notify the SWSCEWD Nursing Work Experience contact person immediately of any health and safety incidents involving a student while on placement, including near misses, to enable the NSW Department of Education and Communities to fulfil its WHS obligations and support a safe placement.

5. SWSCEWD Nursing Work Experience Team staff must immediately notify the school’s Career Advisor of the same.

6. SWSCEWD Nursing Work Experience Team staff must advise the Career Advisor immediately if they need to change sites, redirect students to another location, or find asbestos on the site.

Insurance/Claims

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Insurance and indemnity requirements are arranged by the NSW Department of Education and Communities under the NSW Treasury Managed Fund Scheme. Specific cover relevant to workplace learning is provided for Department of Education and Communities (policy no.MF100003) under the terms and conditions of the Miscellaneous Insurance Policy. SWSLHD is not required to change its insurance arrangements as long as units/departments follow the guidelines specified in this document. The NSW Department of Education and Communities can compensate employers participating in approved workplace learning programs to the full extent of any damage to their property, the property of employees or property in the employer’s physical or legal control up to the value of $200,000 per incident provided that:

1. Any claim for compensation is immediately notified to the relevant school or Institute. 2. The employer cooperates fully with the Department and the Department’s legal

representatives in the investigation of the claim. 3. The damage does not stem from a lack of supervision or instruction by the employer. SWSLHD facility Unit/Department Managers are encouraged to provide this information as soon as it becomes known to SWSCEWD for further escalation and management.

9. Accidents and emergencies If a student is sick or injured during the nursing work experience placement, the workplace CNE/CME/Preceptor who is responsible for the provision of work experience for the student must complete the following steps: 1. Seek medical help immediately, using the student’s Medicare number as provided on the

Student Placement Record. As students are not employees, the incident must not be treated as a workers compensation claim.

2. Contact emergency services for Ambulance or other emergency services immediately if necessary.

3. Contact SWSCEWD Nursing Work Experience contact person for your facility to inform them of the incident.

4. SWSCEWD must contact the school Careers Advisor immediately to advise of the situation. 5. If the student doesn’t have a Medicare number, ask if they wish to contact their general

practitioner (GP). Contact details will be provided on the Student Placement Record Form. 6. Medical and ambulance expense invoices should be made out to the student. 7. Ask the doctor attending for a medical certificate. 8. As a follow up, Unit / Department Manager must complete a written report of the accident

and forward it to SWSCEWD who will forward the report to the school’s Careers Advisor. The report must include a full statement from the student, the workplace preceptor and relevant witnesses.

10. Duration

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1. All placements are for a working week commencing Monday ending Friday (excluding public and school holidays)

2. Students work in their allocated unit/department from 0830hrs – 1530hrs. 3. On the first day – Monday (or Tuesday if Monday happens to be a public holiday),

students commence their placement within the ward at 1000hrs as they have an Orientation Program first.

4. Information about the Orientation program is provided to the student in the confirmation letter and the weekly placement schedule.

11. Benefits for employers

The Work Experience process allows managers and preceptors to: 1. Participate in the education, career development and vocational training of young

people in the community 2. Talk to students about the industry, its career paths and future directions 3. Identify young people with the potential to grow in the nursing profession and promote

the attitudes and skills necessary to excel in the profession 4. Increase the supervisory, training and mentoring skills of staff 5. Give students knowledge of the value of work and raise the quality of those coming

into the profession.

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12. How does Nursing Work Experience work in SWSLHD

1. SWSLHD Nursing Work Experience Workflow

2. Ward/Unit Responsibilities

SWSLHD facility units/departments must provide: 1. A site-specific workplace induction for students at the beginning of the placement,

including relevant safety matters. 2. Activities and skill development tasks appropriate to the student’s skill level. 3. Ongoing instruction and supervision by a capable and trustworthy employee

briefed for the task. 4. Any personal protective equipment (PPE) required and training in its correct use.

5. Child Protection:

To ensure the safety and welfare of young people in the workplace, SWSLHD facility unit/department managers and their staff must comply with the following guidelines:

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• It is the responsibility of the SWSLHD facility unit/department managers to ensure their staff know how to conduct themselves appropriately with children and young people.

• They must avoid any conduct that could make a young person feel threatened, coerced or belittled. This could include initiation activities or horseplay involving the student; physical or verbal abuse such as swearing at students; physical assault; inappropriate conversations, remarks or jokes of a sexual nature; the showing of sexually suggestive publications, electronic media or illustrations and any unwarranted and/or inappropriate touching or personal communication with students regarding their sexual feelings.

• This includes texting or using social media. • As an employer, the SWSLHD facility unit/department managers will be asked

to indicate on the Student Placement Record that, to their knowledge, there is nothing in the background of any staff member or person in close contact with the student that would make them unsuitable for working with children.

• SWSCEWD must report any allegations against an employee in the area of child protection to the Careers Advisor of the school. It is critical for SWSLHD facility unit/department managers to alert the SWSCEWD Nursing Work Experience Coordinator of any breach of legislation or misconduct in relation to child protection legislation that may impact on the student placed on work experience.

• Child protection legislation requires that any allegations regarding employee conduct must be reported through the Mandatory Reporting guide. Allegations involving suspected abuse, harm or risk of significant harm to the student must also be reported to the Community Services Child Protection Hotline 132111 and, in some cases, to the NSW Police. Please discuss this with the Work Experience Coordinator.

3. Student Responsibilities The students are expected to comply with the employer’s workplace safety requirements and procedures. They are not to act in any way that could jeopardise the safety of themselves or others. Students must:

Participate in orientation and any pre-training or induction identified.

Use safety equipment and protective gear where relevant.

Follow safety rules and procedures.

Not do anything to jeopardise the safety of themselves or others.

Report any risks or hazards immediately to their workplace preceptor.

Understand and follow emergency procedures.

Cease work if they have a concern about their health and safety and contact their workplace preceptor or SWSCEWD Nursing Work Experience contact person.

Report any concerns about the placement or incidents to their workplace preceptor or SWSCEWD Nursing Work Experience contact person for appropriate action.

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13. Orientation

All Nursing Work Experience placements commence on Monday (or Tuesday if Monday happens to be a public holiday) of each week. The SWSCEWD Nursing Work Experience Coordinator is responsible to organise, facilitate and deliver this orientation session. An Orientation program is scheduled at the commencement of the placement to ensure students are provided with information in relation to the following topics: 1. Welcome & SWSLHD Overview 2. Information on Student rights and responsibilities 3. Information Confidentiality – patient, computer password, hospital policies 4. Work Health Safety (WHS), Infection Control, Manual Handling, Sharps 5. Personal and Workplace Security 6. Self and Patient Safety – Fire, Emergency Procedure, bedrails, giving patients food and

drink 7. Accidents and Incidents Management 8. What to do if they are unable to attend for the confirmed work experience placement 9. Pathways for nursing, employment opportunities, career advancement 10. Weekly Schedule of Ward / Unit rotations 11. Process for escalation of any issues /problems not resolved within the department/unit

where they are placed

Students are provided with an Information Pack that includes the following: 1. ID Badge 2. Important Contact Details 3. “Dare to Care” NSW Health Nursing work experience Student Handbook 4. Weekly Placement Schedule 5. Activities to Do and Observe Checklists 6. Evaluation & Feedback Booklet 7. VET in Schools Flyer

14. Evaluation & Feedback

The Students Information Pack includes the Evaluation & Feedback Booklet where the Workplace Preceptor/CNE/CME has to provide constructive feedback to the student on their placement with the unit/department on a daily basis. The SWSCEWD Nursing Work Experience Coordinator will also provide constructive feedback to the student at the end of the placement. Students have a section to fill in where they provide feedback about their experience in SWSLHD, specifically the unit/department they worked in.

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The student has to submit this booklet to the SWSCEWD Nursing Work Experience Coordinator on the last day of the placement. SWSCEWD will ensure the Booklet is scanned and emailed to the Careers Advisor. Students can obtain a copy of the feedback from their Careers Advisor. SWSCEWD will ensure the feedback is collated for presentation at the facility’s CNE/CME meetings. If there are matters raised by the student that require immediate escalation to the unit/department Manager, SWSCEWD Nursing Work Experience Co-ordinator will do so immediately as soon as they receive the feedback from the student.

15. Certification

On the last day of the placement, the SWSCEWD Nursing Work Experience Co-ordinator will present a certificate of completion of the Nursing Work Experience to the students. This certificate is signed by the Manager SWSCEWD and the SWSCEWD Nursing Work Experience Co-ordinator.

16. SWSCEWD Nursing Work Experience Team

Bankstown Hospital Shalini Copland

Bowral Hospital Lynn Fraser

Campbelltown Hospital Melinda Woolridge

Fairfield Hospital Nalini Singh

Liverpool Hospital Zendy Galindo / Rachel Stonestreet Administration Officer Administration Officer

SWSCEWD General Office T: 8738 5920 E: SWSCEWD.NursingWE@health.nsw.gov.au