The Career and Education Magazine for Nurses and Health Professionals

theNursingPost www.nursingpost.com.au

Nursing in WA

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

9 July 2012 - ISSUE 13Visit us online for the latest jobs and articles

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St John Ambulance (Inside Cover) ...........................00

Quick N Easy Finance .............................................01

News: McGrath Foundation .....................................03

Medacs Healthcare .......................... ......................04

CQ Nurse.......................... ......................................05

Radio station 92.9 Kids Appeal with Telethon ..........06, 07

FEATURE: Nursing in WA .........................................08

Article: Rural Health Channel ...................................09

Telethon Institute for Child Health Research ............10,11

Continental Travel Nurse .........................................12

RNS Nursing ...........................................................13

Article: Rural Health Education Foundation...............14, 15

Mediserve Nursing Agency .....................................16, 31, BC

Oceania ..................................................................17

Medibank Health Solutions......................................18, 19

CONTENTSRural Health West ...................................................20,21

AACDS ....................................................................23

Educational Courses,Conferences & Events .............26, 27

Ausmed Article: Elder Abuse ....................................28, 29

Conference: Prevocational Conference ....................30

Royal College of Nursing Australia ...........................31

Crossword ..............................................................32, 33

Book Review: The Rural Nurse ................................34

Day Surgery Nurses Assocaition ..............................35

Winter Recipes: Chicken, leek & bacon casserole ....36

Crossword Answers.................................................36

From the Editor...

Inside this Issue Next Issue Nursing in WA International Nursing

ABN: 28 105 044 282 | PO BOX 6213, East Perth, WA, 6892Ph: +(618) 9325 3917 | Fax: +(618) 9325 4037E: admin@nursingpost.com.au | W: www.nursingpost.com.au

Next Publication Details: Issue 14: 23 July 2012 Material Deadline: 16 July 2012

Editor: Michael Kuhnert

For media-kits, deadlines or advertising queries, please contact our Sales and Marketing Manager Michael Kuhnert

Printed by Westcare Pty Ltd

Hello readers and welcome to Issue 13 of The Nursing Post.

Our feature inside takes a look at Nursing in WA. Turn to page 8 to read more.

On pages 6 & 7 we have an article about radio station 92.9 and their Kids Appeal with Telethon with breakfast hosts Lisa, Paul & Baz leading the charge to raise money for Princess Margaret Hospital.

On Page 14 we discuss the exciting launch of the first national free-to-air health TV channel.

On page 20 we have a media release from Rural Health West where they discuss nursing in rural and remote Western Australia.

We continue to encourage our readers to send in not only pictures of their staff and wards but also any topics you think our fellow readers would be interested in, including recipe ideas.

Our next edition is out on Monday July 23 where we take a detailed look at International Nursing. Untill then readers take care!

Welcome to Issue 13

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MCGRATH FOUNDATION THANKS AUSTRALIA FOR HELPING REACH MILESTONE

75th McGrath Breast Care Nurse funded to support Australian families experiencing breast cancer

Friday 22 June marked the 4th anniversary of Jane McGrath’s passing, and the McGrath Foundation celebrated a significant milestone in its history by funding the 75th McGrath Breast Care Nurse - halfway to reaching the Foundation’s goal of a breast care nurse for every family experiencing breast cancer.

The 75th McGrath Breast Care Nurse will be based in Dubbo, representing the Foundation’s strong connection to rural and regional Australia.

Foundation Chairman and Co-Founder, Glenn McGrath believes funding 75 McGrath Breast Care Nurses in just four years is a testament to the Foundation’s strong support from the Australian community.

“When we started the Foundation in 2005, we never imagined the Foundation could have such an enormous impact on the Australian community. But today, from the calls, emails, faxes, snail mail and Facebook posts, we are flooded with people who genuinely want to make a difference and it is because of them that we can proudly say we are halfway to meeting our goal of 150 McGrath Breast Care Nurses in communities right across Australia.

“No matter how people have contributed, whether it was buying a pink product with our logo on it, attending one of our Foundation events or hosting their own, the Foundation has made a difference because of the support we’ve received. To the Australian community, businesses and the Federal Government, we want to say thank you for being a part of something truly incredible that together we have helped more than 12,000 Australian families though a breast cancer experience,” said Glenn.

Foundation Ambassador and Director, Tracy Bevan, joined Glenn in praising the support.

“We are so profoundly touched by the support we receive and the feedback about how integral our McGrath Breast Care Nurses have been to families experiencing breast cancer just makes us so proud.

“Today is a day to celebrate what has been achieved and we’re all so proud to see the Foundation continue to grow and help people who really need the support,” said Tracy.

To find out more about the McGrath Foundation and how you can make a difference, please visit www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au.

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Perth digs deep for 92.9 Kids Appeal with Telethon

It was another huge year for the 92.9 Kids Appeal with Telethon with breakfast hosts Lisa, Paul & Baz leading the charge to raise money for Princess Margaret Hospital.

The Appeal, which just wrapped up its third year last week, has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for PMH.

PMH gave 92.9 a list of vital equipment that would help improve the lives of the children at the hospital and all the money raised went straight to purchasing those specific items, including:

• Walking aids, which replaces a leg brace with Functional Electrical Stimulation to facilitate normal movement.

• An inverted microscope, which is needed due to the increasing demand on the current inverted microscope used at PMH for assessment of cells grown under tissue culture conditions and to comply with the office of gene technology requirements regarding the transfer of material from a Physical containment level 2 laboratory and to a routine laboratory.

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• Blood pressure machines, for the child development service department.

• An S9 VPAP ST Therapy system to assist children with repository problems. The system supports ventilation in children deteriorating towards respiratory failure.

• A Minilink Transmitter for the PMH Diabetes Research department. The system allows communication between a subcutaneous sensor and an insulin pump. It allows patients to see what their blood glucose profile is and so to make the necessary changes to keep it within optimal range.

Over the two week appeal Lisa, Paul and Baz tried everything from cycling to comedy to raise money for the kids.

In a world first, Lisa and Paul broadcast the breakfast show live from bicycles as they rode around Perth and beyond in K’s for Kids.

For every $100 donated between 6-9am that morning, the pair rode 1km, and finished off their grand effort at Murphy’s Irish Pub in Mandurah.

The ride alone raised $9,000 and also helped purchase more vital equipment.

Then came the ‘Comedy For Kids’ night at the Charles Hotel. Seven of Perth’s comedians came together to put on a show and raise money for the appeal.

Joel Creasey and Adam Richards flew in for the night and 92.9’s own Lisa Fernandez even put in a performance.

West Coast Eagles forward Josh Kennedy also helped the kids of PMH by auctioning off his time

with a one-hour clinic for a a junior football club.

Promising to take the kids for drills and conduct a Q&A session to teach them about the importance of keeping healthy and active to become a successful AFL player, his skills went for an impressive $2,000.

With the phone lines open every day during the two-week appeal, the generosity of Perth people kept the phones ringing non-stop.

There was never a quiet moment as people gave to the sick children of PMH.

The appeal will return next year to again help Princess Margaret Hospital with their fight against illnesses in children.

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WA health system envy...........................................................................

Telethon Institute for Child Health Research...........................................

Rural Health Education Foundation: Media Release...............................

Rural Health West: Media Release..........................................................

// INSIDE THIS FEATURE

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10, 11

14, 15

20, 21

Nursing in WA

Cape Leveque, Western Australia

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Health Minister Kim Hames says WA’s health system is among the best in the country.

WA health system the envy of the nation - Health Minister Kim Hames

After recent criticism of the system, Health Minister KIM HAMES returns fire, saying WA Health services are among the best in the nation.

Despite recent reports on WA’s hospital bed shortages, elective surgery wait lists and patients waiting longer to get from ambulances into emergency departments.

Dr Kim Hames says WA is leading the nation in most areas of the health system.

“It’s hard to remember sometimes we have a health system that is the envy of the nation. With all the inches of newspaper column space dedicated to ambulance ramping, elective surgery waitlists or the next so-called crisis in health, the fact that Western Australians have better, more timely access to healthcare than ever before seems to have been overlooked.

A quick snapshot shows that patients waiting for elective surgery in WA have on average a 29-day wait for surgery, which is the equal shortest in the nation.

I’m not going to pretend our elective surgery waitlist system is perfect. I know we can do better. But if you need a hip replacement in the public health system, the State you want to be in is WA.

Once upon a time, our emergency departments were clogged as almost half patients admitted through emergency departments waited eight hours or more for a bed. That number is now stable at about 10 per cent of patients – again, the best in the nation.”

For the full article visit our website nursingpost.com.au

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Research nurse Jennifer Kent is passionate about immunisation and vaccine research. From working on vaccine trials for swine flu and bird flu, through to Human Papilloma Virus, Ross River, dengue fever and golden staph, Jennifer has learned a lot about the disease process and how vaccines work to protect the body from the infections.

Jennifer says the research environment is always stimulating and varied with lots of learning opportunities, and she can say without hesitation that she really does love her job.

Jennifer is a born and bred West Australian. She completed her Nursing Diploma at Fremantle Hospital in 1986 and then did a stint as a qualified nurse at Fremantle. She then packed her bags and headed to north to work at the Darwin Public Hospital. Jennifer recalls it being one of the busiest

medical wards around but one that left her with memories of the positivity of the human spirit.

“I remember a young Indigenous patient who’d been involved in a car accident,” she explains. “He lost his left leg above the knee and his left arm above the elbow. He was then involved in another car accident and lost his right leg at the hip joint. I will never forget his upbeat manner even though he couldn’t even sit out of bed and needed help with all aspects of his daily living, including shaving and cleaning his teeth.”

Jennifer changed her plans to stay in Darwin for an extended period, and relocated back to Perth to be with her family, the main reason she loves WA.

“My family is here and they are very important to me,” says Jennifer. “I grew up doing lots of

Research nurse Jennifer Kent with Jamie who is having his annual ‘flu vaccine

Telethon Institute for Child Health Research

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camping in remote areas with my family so the large open spaces and wildlife of WA, along with the climate and quieter lifestyle, are special to me.”

Family is another reason why Jennifer turned her career to research, with flexible hours allowing her to balance work and family life.

“I was lucky enough to be offered a job at the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research as a research nurse, working on a childhood asthma study,” she explains. “Research requires a fine attention to detail and this sort of work suited me very well as did the hours which suited my family life at the time.”

“I’ve always had a strong interest in immunisation and when a position became available at the Institute’s Vaccine Trials Group, I moved into this area of research.”

Jennifer’s first role as a research nurse involved coordinating a study looking at a new combined vaccine for infants. She enjoyed building a rapport with the families and then watching the babies grow and develop as the study followed them.

Jennifer says it’s very exciting when a vaccine you’ve been working on gets registered, to be used to protect the general population against an infectious disease.

“I also worked on the Meningococcal B vaccine trials and it’s extremely pleasing to know that there will be a vaccine available soon to stop this deadly disease,” she says.

Today, Jennifer is the Clinical Trials Manager at the Vaccine Trials Group, a collaboration between the Telethon Institute, Princess Margaret Hospital and the UWA School of Paediatrics and Child Health.

She says working in research management can be extremely busy and challenging with many deadlines to meet, but the work is always varied and keeps you interested all the time.

The VTG is currently recruiting pregnant women and new mothers into a study to see if having the Influenza vaccine during pregnancy protects the baby from Influenza in the first six months of life.

Jennifer says it’s an easy study for local mums to participate in. “This study doesn’t involve any vaccinations, only questionnaires and the follow-up of any Influenza-like illness of the mother or baby for six months.”

The Group will also be recruiting for some very exciting Meningococcal vaccine studies over the next six months so watch this space!

Website - vaccine.childhealthresearch.org.au

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Media contact: Clair North 0422 248 396 or communications@rhef.com.au

Media Release Tuesday 26 June 2012

Breakthrough for rural and remote communities with launch of the first national free-to-air health TV channel Three federal Ministers – Tanya Plibersek, Stephen Conroy and Warren Snowdon – joined in Canberra this morning to officially launch the Rural Health Channel, a major initiative to close the health gap between urban and rural Australia. The channel provides regular and reliable health education and information to areas sorely lacking in medical facilities. The overall mortality rate is 12 per cent higher in country towns and surrounding areas than in the metropolitan areas, and one-fifth of GPs cater to one third of the Australian population, including almost two thirds of Indigenous peoples. Health Minister Tanya Plibersek said improving health care services for rural, regional and remote Australia is an important priority for the Gillard Government. “Improving access to information on healthy lifestyles and reducing risks factors will make a significant difference in local communities. The Rural Health Education Foundation is making a real contribution to closing the gap between rural and urban Australia,” she said. The channel has been set up by the Rural Health Education Foundation, an independent, non-profit organisation that over the last 20 years has provided free distance learning education programs to more than 50,000 health professionals. Until now, this service was only available to health professionals in their clinics or workplaces, and only for two hours per fortnight, and the Foundation had no way to reach members of the wider community. The Rural Health Channel is being broadcast via satellite on the new Viewer Access Satellite Television (VAST) platform. VAST services provide digital TV to people who cannot receive terrestrial digital television and currently reach 75,000 households. Government estimates expect this number to grow to 250,000 by the end of next year. The Rural Health Channel is the first narrowcaster (specialised non-commercial channel) to use VAST. It is broadcasting from 1.30 to 3.30pm and 7.30 to 9.30pm on weekdays, and 4.30 to 6pm on Sundays. “VAST is evidence of the Government’s commitment to address the inferior television services regional and remote Australian audiences have had to put up with for far too long. I commend the Rural Health Channel for harnessing this new platform so effectively,” Senator Conroy said. The channel, which began broadcasting on 21st May, is serving as a conduit for government and not-for-profit health initiatives. Already Palliative Care Australia, Lifeline and the Heart Foundation are among the organisations that have used the channel to spread their health messages.

Health Minister, The Hon Tanya Plibersek, Rural Health Education Foundation CEO Ms Helen Craig and Chair Dr David Rosenthal

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Media contact: Clair North 0422 248 396 or communications@rhef.com.au

Media Release Tuesday 26 June 2012

Breakthrough for rural and remote communities with launch of the first national free-to-air health TV channel Three federal Ministers – Tanya Plibersek, Stephen Conroy and Warren Snowdon – joined in Canberra this morning to officially launch the Rural Health Channel, a major initiative to close the health gap between urban and rural Australia. The channel provides regular and reliable health education and information to areas sorely lacking in medical facilities. The overall mortality rate is 12 per cent higher in country towns and surrounding areas than in the metropolitan areas, and one-fifth of GPs cater to one third of the Australian population, including almost two thirds of Indigenous peoples. Health Minister Tanya Plibersek said improving health care services for rural, regional and remote Australia is an important priority for the Gillard Government. “Improving access to information on healthy lifestyles and reducing risks factors will make a significant difference in local communities. The Rural Health Education Foundation is making a real contribution to closing the gap between rural and urban Australia,” she said. The channel has been set up by the Rural Health Education Foundation, an independent, non-profit organisation that over the last 20 years has provided free distance learning education programs to more than 50,000 health professionals. Until now, this service was only available to health professionals in their clinics or workplaces, and only for two hours per fortnight, and the Foundation had no way to reach members of the wider community. The Rural Health Channel is being broadcast via satellite on the new Viewer Access Satellite Television (VAST) platform. VAST services provide digital TV to people who cannot receive terrestrial digital television and currently reach 75,000 households. Government estimates expect this number to grow to 250,000 by the end of next year. The Rural Health Channel is the first narrowcaster (specialised non-commercial channel) to use VAST. It is broadcasting from 1.30 to 3.30pm and 7.30 to 9.30pm on weekdays, and 4.30 to 6pm on Sundays. “VAST is evidence of the Government’s commitment to address the inferior television services regional and remote Australian audiences have had to put up with for far too long. I commend the Rural Health Channel for harnessing this new platform so effectively,” Senator Conroy said. The channel, which began broadcasting on 21st May, is serving as a conduit for government and not-for-profit health initiatives. Already Palliative Care Australia, Lifeline and the Heart Foundation are among the organisations that have used the channel to spread their health messages.

Rural Health Education Foundation - 38 Thesiger Court, Deakin ACT 2600 Tel: (02) 6232 5480 Fax: (02) 6232 5484 www.rhef.com.au

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Interviews available with Board Members working and living in rural areas of Australia; Renmark South Australia Dr David Rosenthal - Chair, GP Obstetrician, practising rural general practitioner for 38 years. He is Chief Consultant to Country Health SA in the area of Safety and Quality, and Assessment Coordinator in Flinders University Rural Clinical School. Adelaide South Australia Professor Paul Worley – Dean of the School of Medicine at Flinders University. Editor-in-Chief of the Rural and Remote Health Journal. As well as maintaining an active clinical workload, he has been responsible for the coordinating the rapid expansion of Flinders University’s rural education programs in undergraduate and postgraduate rural practice. Mt Isa, Queensland Professor Sabina Knight – remote area nurse and Director of the Mount Isa Centre for Rural and Remote Health. Townsville, Queensland Ms Catrina Felton-Busch is currently the Director, Indigenous Health Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Molecular Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville NSW and Far North Queensland Dr Nigel Humphreys - rural GP for over 30 years. Now based in Newcastle he works for 2/3 of the year as a regular long term locum Rural General Practitioner & hospital Senior Medical Officer in very remote (RA 5) towns and communities in Queensland, eg Barcaldine, Alpha, Muttaburra, the Torres Strait, Yarrabah and Palm Island, performing both GP and hospital inpatient and emergency medicine. Previously Clinical Director, Hunter Urban Medicare Local.

About the Rural Health Education Foundation

The Rural Health Education Foundation is an independent, non-profit organisation that continues to play a critical role in redressing the health inequality between the city and bush by providing quality, accessible health education to those living and working in remote and rural Australia. The Foundation delivers its services via satellite television nationally, together with online services and DVD dissemination to provide accessible and relevant education. Over the past 20 years the Foundation has provided free educational health programs, benefiting more than 50,000 health professionals. For further information go to www.rhef.com.au

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THE nationwide program to screen the social and emotional health of three-year-olds was “reckless”, not evidence-based and could lead to an explosion of false diagnoses that would see youngsters overmedicated and labelled with a mental illness for life, one of the world’s leading psychiatry experts has claimed.

American psychiatrist Allen Frances, who authored the DSM IV, the diagnostic bible for the psychiatry profession, said three-year-olds were developmentally fluid - making it very difficult to be certain whether they genuinely had a mental condition.

Before the federal government program is rolled out from January 1, 2013 it must be tested and the risks of false positive diagnoses weighed, said Professor Frances, speaking at a mental health conference in Perth.

“There is a tendency to use labels loosely and kids who are going to outgrow them are going to be harmed by the label and some of them medicated, which may cause difficulty, stigma, change a parents expectations of a child and

affect their life chances,” he said.

Parents have to prove their preschool age children have undergone a medical assessment to claim the Family Tax Benefit Part A annual supplement worth $736 and the Healthy Kids Check is one of three health checks that can be used to fulfill the requirement.

Frank Oberklaid, who chairs the government committee devising the criteria for the new check, said it was wrong to see the Healthy Kids Check as a mental health check on children. The public and academic outcry about the check had been misinformed and there was “zero” danger of it resulting in overmedication or psychiatric labelling of children, he said

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Page 1 of 2

Media Release2/07/2012

Nursing in rural and remote Western Australia

Nurses, along with most other health professionals, are in strong need in rural and remote Western Australia. The recent Health Workforce Australia report Health Workforce 2025 indicates the shortages of nurses are likely to be highly significant in the coming years.

It is well documented that the health outcomes of people living in rural and remote areas are affected by these shortages and their restricted access to health services in general.

Rural Health West, a not-for-profit agency, administers programs that aim to address the shortages felt by those living and working in rural and remote Western Australia.

“Our recruitment service, Rural Health Select, is focused on recruiting health professionals for rural and remote Western Australia. We understand the varied and specialised skills that are required by all health professionals who choose to work in rural and remote areas,” Rural Health West Chief Executive Officer Belinda Bailey said.

The recruitment service is provided free of charge, to both the candidate and practices and organisations based in rural and remote Western Australia.

“Our recruitment consultants provide a one-on-one case management approach and work closely with both the employer and the candidate to ensure a positive outcome for all.”

Rural Health West acknowledges that there are additional challenges for health professionals who work in rural and remote communities and they offer a range of services that attempt to address these.

Nurses who are recruited by Rural Health Select are able to negotiate individual packages that are tailored to their needs.

“There are a range of financial and non-financial supports available to eligible candidateswho are willing to work in country Western Australia. In some instances we are able to provide financial assistance that can be used to fund relocation and travel assistance, accommodation assistance, spouse employment assistance and continuing professional development opportunities.”

“Studies around the world have proven time and again it is not purely financial issues that provide a barrier to professionals electing to work in a rural environment,” Ms Bailey said. “Rather it is access to other things, such as ongoing professional development, peer support, family support and employment opportunities for partners that can provide the greatest barriers. The ability to individually tailor packages for nurses, means we are able to assist each person to overcome their own barriers.”

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Page 1 of 2

Media Release2/07/2012

Nursing in rural and remote Western Australia

Nurses, along with most other health professionals, are in strong need in rural and remote Western Australia. The recent Health Workforce Australia report Health Workforce 2025 indicates the shortages of nurses are likely to be highly significant in the coming years.

It is well documented that the health outcomes of people living in rural and remote areas are affected by these shortages and their restricted access to health services in general.

Rural Health West, a not-for-profit agency, administers programs that aim to address the shortages felt by those living and working in rural and remote Western Australia.

“Our recruitment service, Rural Health Select, is focused on recruiting health professionals for rural and remote Western Australia. We understand the varied and specialised skills that are required by all health professionals who choose to work in rural and remote areas,” Rural Health West Chief Executive Officer Belinda Bailey said.

The recruitment service is provided free of charge, to both the candidate and practices and organisations based in rural and remote Western Australia.

“Our recruitment consultants provide a one-on-one case management approach and work closely with both the employer and the candidate to ensure a positive outcome for all.”

Rural Health West acknowledges that there are additional challenges for health professionals who work in rural and remote communities and they offer a range of services that attempt to address these.

Nurses who are recruited by Rural Health Select are able to negotiate individual packages that are tailored to their needs.

“There are a range of financial and non-financial supports available to eligible candidateswho are willing to work in country Western Australia. In some instances we are able to provide financial assistance that can be used to fund relocation and travel assistance, accommodation assistance, spouse employment assistance and continuing professional development opportunities.”

“Studies around the world have proven time and again it is not purely financial issues that provide a barrier to professionals electing to work in a rural environment,” Ms Bailey said. “Rather it is access to other things, such as ongoing professional development, peer support, family support and employment opportunities for partners that can provide the greatest barriers. The ability to individually tailor packages for nurses, means we are able to assist each person to overcome their own barriers.”

Page 2 of 2

Rural Health West is also conscious of the need to highlight the benefits of rural practice and careers, and to encourage students and recent graduates to consider rural and remote locations as an employment option.

This year they launched Choose Country, a campaign focused on attracting undergraduate health students and new graduates to consider a country career.

“This campaign aims to demystify rural practice and also provides one organisation that can assist them in navigating a pathway to a rural career. By making the process a simple one, it is hoped more Australian graduates will consider a rural career.”

Rural Health West is currently seeking expressions of interest from nurses who are interested in a rural career.

“There are vacancies right across the state, and we are keen to work with individuals who are looking for a change of pace- both professionally and personally. We frequently get feedback from candidates that their placement has provided them with a lot more than they expected.”

-End-

Media enquiries:

Belinda Bailey, Chief Executive Officer +61 8 6389 4500Clare Underdown, Communications and Marketing Coordinator +61 8 6389 4536

As the leading rural health workforce agency for Western Australia, Rural Health West is a not-for-profit organisation funded by the State and Commonwealth Governmentsresponsible for the recruitment and retention of a highly skilled sustainable health workforce to meet the needs to rural and remote Western Australians communities.

Page 2 of 2

Rural Health West is also conscious of the need to highlight the benefits of rural practice and careers, and to encourage students and recent graduates to consider rural and remote locations as an employment option.

This year they launched Choose Country, a campaign focused on attracting undergraduate health students and new graduates to consider a country career.

“This campaign aims to demystify rural practice and also provides one organisation that can assist them in navigating a pathway to a rural career. By making the process a simple one, it is hoped more Australian graduates will consider a rural career.”

Rural Health West is currently seeking expressions of interest from nurses who are interested in a rural career.

“There are vacancies right across the state, and we are keen to work with individuals who are looking for a change of pace- both professionally and personally. We frequently get feedback from candidates that their placement has provided them with a lot more than they expected.”

-End-

Media enquiries:

Belinda Bailey, Chief Executive Officer +61 8 6389 4500Clare Underdown, Communications and Marketing Coordinator +61 8 6389 4536

As the leading rural health workforce agency for Western Australia, Rural Health West is a not-for-profit organisation funded by the State and Commonwealth Governmentsresponsible for the recruitment and retention of a highly skilled sustainable health workforce to meet the needs to rural and remote Western Australians communities.

21

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COSMETIC NURSING… THE BRIGHTER SIDE OF NURSINGThe Vocational Graduate Certificate in Cosmetic Nursing is a postgraduate course developed specifically for Enrolled or Registered Nurses wishing to enter the field of cosmetic medicine.

This government-accredited qualification will provide nurses with the knowledge and hands-on skills required to work in a cosmetic medical practice and/or accredited day hospital performing cosmetic nursing, dermal therapies and injectable procedures.

The course is completed online over one semester full-time or two semesters part-time. Practical competencies in dermal therapies and injectables procedures are completed on-campus in Perth, Sydney and the Gold Coast.

For further information, please contact the Australasian Academy of Cosmetic Dermal Science on 08 9226 3366 or visit www.aacds.edu.au

REGISTERED TRAINING ORGANISATION PROVIDER NO: 51373

www.aacds.edu.au

enquiries@aacds.edu.au

08 9226 3366Follow us on www.facebook/aacds

Authorised providers of RCNA (APEC) endorsed Continual Nursing Education.

23

Please note :• When taking photos, the higher the quality (mega pixels,

image size) the better.

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HERE is your chance to show off your photography skills (or modelling skills) by entering the Nursing Post photo competition.

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Submit your photos to:EMAIL: editor@nursingpost.com.au POST: The Nursing Post, PO BOX 6213, East Perth, WA, 6892

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NEXT COvEr!

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24

Educational Courses, Conferences & Events

Ausmed Education: Recognizing Eldery Abuse.............................

Conference: National Prevocational Conference...........................

Crossword Puzzle..........................................................................

Book Review : The Rural Nurse......................................................

Conference: DSNA Conference.....................................................

Winter Recipe: Chicken, leek and bacon casserole...........................

Crossword Answers.......................................................................

// CONTENTS28, 29

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JBI National Australian ConferenceEvidence-based Clinical Leadership13, 14 August 2012, Adelaidewww.joannabriggs.edu.au

7th International Nurse PractitionerAdvanced Practice Nursing Network Conference20-22 August 2012, London, UKwww.rcn.org.uk/newsevents

Australian and New Zealand Childrens Haematology/Oncology Group (ANZCHOG)Annual Scientific Meeting 201224-26 August 2012, Surfer’s Paradisewww.anzchog2012.org

4th Congress of the Wound Union of Wound Healing SocietiesBetter care - Better lifeWound Union of Wound Healing Societies2-6 September 2012, Yokohama, Japanwww.wuwhs2012.com

Australian College of Nurse Practitioners ConferenceClosing the gaps and clearing the barriers5-8 September 2012, Outrigger Hotel, Surfers Paradise, Qld.www.dcconferences.com.au/acnp2012/

ACNN 20127th Annual ConferenceGravens Seminar on the Physical and Developmental Environment of the High Risk Infant7 - 8 September 2012CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL, LOVEDALE, HUNTER VALLEY, NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIAwww.acnn.org.au

AusmedTrauma NursingSeminar For Nurses13-14 September 2012, Sydney, NSWwww.Ausmed.com.au

National Association of Childbirth Educators’ Biennial ConferenceGeneration Now - the fears, the fantasy and finding the balanceNational Association of Childbirth Educators16-18 October 2012, Luna Park, Sydneywww.nace.org.au

16th South Pacific Nurses Forum 2012South Pacific Nurses Forum19-22 November 2012, Melbourne, Leonda by the Yarra.www.spnf.org.au

// Events + Conferences 2012

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You see her sitting there in the window of the nursing home. She has a bruise over her eye – her second “fall” in the past two weeks. The staff at the home seems disinterested, overworked, and overstressed.

You have your suspicions, of course, but how can you know for certain? You don’t work at this facility often, but the amount of falls that are reported seem a tad excessive.

You’d be the last person to point the finger about abuse, but something just doesn’t seem right. What do you do?

Elder abuse is an all too common problem in nursing and retirement homes around the world.

Elder abuse and how to recognise itAs the Baby Boomer generation ages, more people will end up in nursing homes that are already pushed to their limit with staff. Some places are so desperate for staffing that they hire back workers who have been accused of elder abuse in the past. If you work in a nursing home or have a loved one that needs that type of care, you can look for a few signs that your elder is experiencing abuse.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse of an elder is the type most often thought about when thinking of this problem. However, it isn’t the most common or even the most painful. You can suspect physical abuse when you notice bruising or marks that don’t have

Elder abuse - all too common in nursing and retirement homes

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a good explanation.

Some elders will even exhibit signs of restraint marks on their fragile skin. Broken bones, sprains, and other musculoskeletal issues are another sign that the elder may be experiencing abuse.

The trouble with signs of abuse is that sometimes they can happen because the elder acts out. For instance, many falls are not the fault of the caregivers.

They occur because the elder is confused and tries to walk when they can’t. Even many bruises are not always a “smoking gun” for physical abuse.

You need to balance your suspicions with more evidence. Are the bruises consistent with a fall? Why is the elder falling so much? Is the elder confused? It takes more than a few bruises to suspect physical elder abuse, and for that reason, it is often hard to prove.

Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse is a bit easier to identify, but it still may be hidden from those who are trying to prove it. You can identify emotional abuse by witnessing behaviour from caregivers who belittle the elder, yell at them, or call them names.

Threats are another potent weapon of the emotional abuser. In the elder herself, you will notice signs of dementia, such as rocking back and forth, mumbling to herself, and involuntary mouth movements, such as sucking.

Depression and anxiety are other signs to watch out for, as the elder may feel psychologically assaulted by the caregivers around her.

Neglect

Neglect is another common form of abuse, and it has some red flags for the conscientious observer. Elders who suffer from unexplained weight loss, signs of malnutrition, and signs of dehydration may be experiencing neglect from their caregivers. Some elders are left with open wounds or bedsores that are not tended to properly, and some elders live in unsanitary conditions, such as going days without a shower or wearing soiled clothes.

You would think that if an elder was a resident in a nursing facility that neglect would be non-existent. Unfortunately, that is not always the case.

With short-staffing, some elders may not be fed who need feeding, may not receive enough water during the day, or may go without a dressing change for a few days.

These are unacceptable conditions for the elder, but short of reporting them to a governmental overseer, it seems like there is not much help for it.

To ensure that our elders are properly taken care of in nursing and retirement homes, there needs to be a complete overhaul of the system.

The lack of skilled, compassionate care workers is the primary cause for the many types of abuse of elderly people.

If the system weeded out those who were abusive, encouraged those who love and respect elders, and found a way to keep those workers, then elder abuse may just be a thing of the past.

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Opens Monday 23 Ju ly 2012

Closes Friday 14 September 2012

nursing & midwifery

scholarships

Nursing and Allied Health Scholarship and Support Scheme (NAHSSS) is funded by the Australian Government.

RCNA, Australia’s peak professional nursing organisation, is proud to partner the Australian Government as the fund administrator for this program.

Get an application from www.rcna.org.au | freecall 1800 117 262

Registered Nurses

to work in various communities all across Adelaide!

mediser venursing agency

Must Have AHPRA Registration & 1 Years Nursing Experience Minimum

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ACROSS

1. Notamenabletoacure.

5. Lossofthesensationoffeelinginanareaofthebody.

8. Aninfectiousdiseasecausedbyprotozoanparasites.

9. Aconditionthattendstooccurmoreofteninfamilymembers

thanisexpectedbychancealone.

11. Havingtodowiththekidney.

12. Anaturalhormonemadebythepancreasthatcontrolsthelevel

ofthesugarglucoseintheblood.

15. Insomnia.

18. Thegallbladder.

19. Thelargestboneinthehumanbody.

20. Aplacefordoingtestsandresearchprocedures.

21. Pertainingtothelargestarteryinthebody.

22. Anantibioticofthepenicillintype.

DOWN1. Protectedagainstinfection,usuallybythepresenceofantibodies.

2. Ametalorplastictoolsimilartoacompassusedtomeasurethe

diameterofanobject.

3. Toomuchacidinthebody.

4. Thinningofthecervix.

6. Thelargeteethatthebackofthemouth.

7. Sodiumchloride.

10. Themajorboneoftheupperjaw.

13. Theexternalopeningofthenose.

14. Hidden.

16. Roundworm.

17. Asubstanceoftenusedinpreservatives,antiseptics,and

medications.

Answers on page 36

3333

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2 tablespoons olive oil 40g butter 8 chicken thigh cutlets 2 medium leeks, trimmed, halved, washed, sliced 4 rashers middle bacon, trimmed, chopped 2 garlic cloves, crushed 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves 1/2 cup dry white wine 1/4 cup plain flour 2 cups chicken stock 200g button mushrooms, quartered Mashed potato, to serve

Method:1. Preheat oven to 180°C/160°C fan-forced.

Heat half the oil and butter in a heavy-based, flameproof casserole dish over medium-high heat. Cook chicken, in batches, for 5 to 6 minutes or until golden. Transfer to a bowl.

2. Heat remaining oil and butter in dish. Add leek, bacon, garlic and thyme. Cook, stirring, for 3 minutes or until leek has softened. Add wine. Bring to the boil. Stir in flour. Cook for 1 minute. Slowly add stock, stirring constantly. Return chicken to dish. Add mushrooms.

3. Cover. Bring to the boil. Transfer to oven. Bake for 1 hour. Remove lid. Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes or until chicken is tender. Serve with mashed potato.

‘Plug’ into a leek for your next warming winter

meal. Mild, sweet and tender, they’re a delicious, versatile alternative to onions.

Please feel free to send in your own home cooked recipes for our readers to try.

Winter RecipesChicken, leek and bacon casserolePreparation time: 20-40 minutes Cooking time: 60

minutes

Nutritional facts

Energy (kJ)Protein (g)Total fat (g)Saturated fat (g)Carbohydrate-total (g)Carbohydrate sugars (g)Dietary fibre (g)Cholesterol (mg)Sodium

3435kJ50.6g54.6g19.1g24.6g-5.8g185mg1535mg

Average quantity per Serving

Ingredients (serves 4)

Crossword Answers:

1. Incurable5. Numb8. Malaria9. Familial11. Nephro12. Insulin15. Sleeplessness18. Cholecyst19. Femar20. Laboratory21. Aortal22. Amoxicillin

2. Calipers3. Acidosis4. Effacement6. Molars7. Salt10. Maxilla13. Nostril14. Occult16. Nematode17. Alcohol

ACROSS DOWN

36

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Mediserve is seeking Registered Nurses, Midwives and Specialty Nurses from New Zealand for work in the Great Australian Outback. We have exciting work available in the beautiful Northern Territory. With the warm weather, scenic views and stunning beaches, what more could you want?

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