ON THE
RECORD JULY 2015
Wellness Conference 2015 – what we learned
page 5
ANMF calls for private midwives law reform
Nursing and Midwifery Health Program CARING FOR NURSES AND MIDWIVES
page 5
Focus on Nursing and Midwifery Health Program
Retrieval nurse Kay Downing
pages 6-7
page 8
www.anmfvic.asn.au
540 Elizabeth Street Melbourne Vic 3000
Know your entitlements
Inside this edition
2 Know your entitlements 3 Secretary’s report News
4 Paid parental leave changes explained
• How to help a bullying victim make a report
5 Feeling better after the Wellness
Conference? • Call for law reform on privately practising midwives
In focus
6 Nursing and Midwifery Health Program – when carers need care
7 Danielle’s road to recovery with NMHP • A manager’s view of NMHP
8 Member profile: Kay Downing, retrieval nurse
9 ANMF (Vic Branch) education grants
close soon • Job Reps preparing for EBA time
10 Election notice • Staff changes • HSR courses
11 Job Rep training • Special Interest Groups
12 Education Centre courses
Tax 2015 information Alison O’Gorman, Information Officer What items can I claim as deductions for my 2015 tax return? It is that time of year again, when we begin to gather up our group certificate and receipts and lodge a tax return with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). Remember there are many items that nurses and midwives can claim as deductions in relation to work related expenses. • Union/work-related memberships – members can claim the cost of their union fees and also fees associated with workrelated organisations. • Registration fees – nurses and midwives are able to claim the cost of their AHPRA registration fees.
connected with your work but you can’t claim for normal trips between home and work, which are considered private travel. • Clothing, laundry and dry-cleaning expenses - you can claim a deduction for the cost of buying and cleaning occupationspecific clothing, protective clothing and unique distinctive uniforms, stockings. • Tools, equipment and other assets - if you buy tools or equipment to help earn your income, you can claim a deduction, e.g. stethoscopes, equipment pouches, neurological torches, nurses’ and midwives’ watches, mobile phones (if required for your role). Reimbursements
• Self-education – nurses and midwives are able to claim costs associated with education relating to their practice/role including but not limited to: - Costs of attending professional conferences, seminars, completing online modules or courses. - Costs of professional literature - professional journal subscriptions, access to research articles, text books
You cannot claim a deduction for expenses you incur if those expenses are reimbursed to you by your employer – you do not include a reimbursement on your tax return.
• Professional services – nurses and midwives accessing professional services such as resume services or private individual professional supervision services.
Note – Members are reminded that they can download their ANMF membership receipt for tax deduction purposes and evidence of professional indemnity insurance via the Member Portal at the ANMF (Vic Branch) website – members.anmfvic.asn.au
• Vehicle and travel expenses - you can claim vehicle and other travel expenses directly
For a detailed overview of what can be claimed, plus exemptions and examples, please visit the Australian Taxation Office website ato.gov.au and search for ‘nurses deductions’ or use this link: http://bit.ly/1L0sGlz
ANMF (Vic Branch) Communication Survey
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At ANMF (Vic Branch) we communicate with you, our valued members, in a number of ways – through our monthly publication On the Record, a fortnightly e-newsletter, social media and our website anmfvic.asn.au So how are we doing, keeping you informed and engaged with your union and your industry? We’d like to know so we can continue to improve our communication with you. Please take 10 minutes to fill out the online survey at the link below. Don’t forget to enter the draw for your chance to win an iPhone 6! The survey and iPhone 6 competition will close 5pm, Friday 31 July 2015.
anmfvic.asn.au/commssurvey www.anmfvic.asn.au
Secretary’s report
Your ANMF Lisa Fitzpatrick, State Secretary
Paul Gilbert,
Assistant Secretary
NMHPV – a health program too important to dismantle Lisa Fitzpatrick
Recently the ANMF (Vic Branch) partnered again with the Nursing and Midwifery Health Program Victoria (NMHPV) for the biennial Wellness Conference. This event has become one of the most popular conferences on the ANMF (Vic Branch) and NMHPV calendars, with nurses and midwives presented with a full schedule of education and wellness sessions to make their personal and working lives healthier. This is an ethos the NMHPV subscribes to in every way that it assists nurses and midwives to overcome difficulties they face. Since 2006, the NMHPV has been offering Victoria’s nurses and midwives with mental health or substance use concerns crucial, independent and confidential access to health services, helping them stay at work or return to the workforce when they are ready. The program is funded by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia through registration fees paid by nurses and midwives, but it is now at risk, with money only guaranteed until June 2016 when a review is scheduled.
Pip Carew,
Assistant Secretary
ANMF (Vic Branch) estimates that approximately $5.19 of the $150 renewal registration fee is provided to NHMPV to carry out this statewide service. We support a funding model that will see a small proportion of each nurse and midwife’s registration fees continue to be allocated to a fund for the NMHPV, and would like it to be administered by the federal ANMF, with money available for a service to be accessed by nurses and midwives in each state and territory of Australia. A similar funding model is being used at the Medical Board of Australia (MBA), to be overseen by the Australian Medical Association.
Please note the ANMF (Vic Branch) office will be closed on Friday 17 July for staff professional development.
On the Record is the official publication of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (Victorian Branch). OTR is published monthly.
Front cover: The Wellness Conference
Read more about the NMHPV from nurses who have benefited from the program on pages 6 and 7 in this month’s focus feature. Luke Batty Foundation Another partnership I am very proud to announce is the ANMF’s new alliance with the Luke Batty Foundation. Australian of the Year Ms Rosie Batty set up the foundation in her son’s honour in February 2014 after Luke Batty was killed by his father at cricket practice in Tyabb, Victoria. Rosie approached the Federal ANMF this year to support the foundation, specifically the ‘Never Alone’ campaign to build a permanent support base for women and children who have experienced family violence.
I am a huge supporter of Rosie, who recently spoke at our Annual Delegates Conference, and I would like to take this opportunity to encourage our members to embrace this campaign in its endeavour to help thousands of family violence victims. Rate increase capping The ANMF (Vic Branch) was recently asked to consult on the State Government’s proposal to cap the increase on local government rates. While we are supportive of the decision to cap local government rate increases to ease cost of living pressures on the community, concerns remain that some local governments may seek to use this opportunity to reduce the essential delivery of Maternal and Child Health (MCH) and Immunisation Services to local communities throughout metropolitan and regional Victoria. ANMF app I am very excited to announce that in response to member requests we are progressing in bringing members an ANMF (Vic Branch) app. The app will replace the printed member diaries we have provided for close to a decade and will include a range of features including an ANMF calendar (with shift planning capabilities), a drug calculator and many other nursing and midwifery focused features. We have printed a small number of 20152017 diaries for any members who have enquired, but I would like to reassure nurses and midwives who are unsure about their digital capability that the app is a progressive step that we feel will benefit all members. Tax time Members are reminded that they can download their ANMF membership receipt for tax deduction purposes and evidence of professional indemnity insurance via the Member Portal at the ANMF (Vic Branch) website – www.anmfvic.asn.au This is also a good time to update your member details so that we have the most up-to-date details on file. I would like to use this time to inform you, in accordance with the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012 (Act), that on 26 May 2015, ANMF (Vic Branch) lodged its annual public report with the Workplace Gender Equality Agency. Finally, I hope our Job Reps and HSRs enjoyed the Annual Delegates Conference and returned to their workplaces inspired about the year ahead.
Photo: Les O’Rourke
www.anmfvic.asn.au
July 2015
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News Paid parental leave changes explained If you are thinking about having a baby or adding to your family in the future, the Abbott Government’s proposed changes to paid parental leave payments are likely to affect you. The government’s changes would mean that if you receive paid parental leave from your employer of $11,500 or more, you would no longer be entitled to government parental leave payments. Victorian nurses and midwives working under the public sector enterprise agreement 20122016 are entitled to 10 weeks parental leave pay calculated on their base weekly wage. So if you are a nurse or a midwife in the public sector, your entitlement to any payment from the government for parental leave would disappear at Registered Nurse Grade 2 Year 4. A nurse at this level earns a weekly rate of 1154.80, so 10 weeks parental leave payment from the employer would be greater than the government’s $11,500 payment. The vast majority of agreements covering private hospitals also contain provisions for paid parental leave and more than half the agreements covering nurses in residential aged care include paid parental leave provisions, although not all allow for 10 weeks paid leave. Checking your
agreement’s paid parental leave provisions and multiplying your employer’s provision by your weekly rate of pay will enable you to calculate whether you would still be eligible for any government payment if the changes are passed by the Senate. The Federal Government’s proposed changes were announced on Mother’s Day as part of the 2015 Budget. They are expected to affect about 80,000 new mothers, with about 34,000 new mothers losing the government parental leave payment entirely. If passed, the changes would take effect from July 2016. A member of the expert panel who evaluated the existing paid parental leave scheme, University of Sydney professor of employment relations Marian Baird, was reported as saying the scheme was designed to allow women to complement their employer scheme with the government’s scheme. The Abbott Government’s description of receiving both payments as ‘double dipping’ was ‘rude and cruel’ and an ‘outrageous attack on mothers’, Prof. Baird was reported as saying in a Sydney Morning Herald article. Professor Baird said one of the goals of the government’s paid parental leave scheme
was to help more women get 26 weeks of paid parental leave income to promote breastfeeding and bonding between mothers and their babies. Prior to the 2013 federal election, the Abbott Government promoted its ‘rolled-gold’ 26-week paid parental leave program as a flagship policy for all Australian women. This was reduced to 18 weeks minimum wage payment in 2014, equating to $11,500. In 2009 the Australian Government asked the Productivity Commission to undertake a public inquiry into paid parental leave. The commission’s report said the average mother took 11 weeks paid maternity leave as well as seven weeks of other paid leave. The report quoted research that for maternal recovery, absence from work should be no less than 12 weeks and potentially up to six months. An early return to work could increase the risk of depression and anxiety for new mothers, the report said. The paid parental leave changes are due to be introduced to Parliament in the spring sitting, which begins in August. With Labor and the Greens opposed to the paid parental leave cuts, the government needs six of the eight Senate crossbenchers to pass its new parental leave Bill.
How to help a bullying victim make a report Making a bullying report is ‘not something to be done lightly’ and victims of bullying need help to match their claims against set criteria in order for their allegations to be proven, attendees of the Prevention of Workplace Bullying Conference were told. Dr Carlo Caponecchia, Senior Lecturer at the University of NSW and expert in workplace psychological hazards, said there were three criteria used to assess whether behaviours could be considered ‘bullying’. Behaviour had to be repeated, negative (in Victoria only) or unreasonable, and create a risk to health and safety. ‘Deciding how to use the criteria is quite difficult,’ Dr Caponecchia said. ‘They haven’t really been unpacked for people.’ Dr Caponecchia said it was important that the perceptions of those who were reporting bullying were tested early, with people who were both trusted, impartial, and understood the workplace context. ‘People need assistance with the criteria. It’s a complex task and an emotional experience,’ Dr Caponecchia said. He said just because something was not found to be bullying did not mean it was not some other form of negative behaviour such as harassment, discrimination or violence. He urged conference attendees to use the word ‘bullying’ appropriately ‘not as a catch-all for things you’re not happy about’.
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Dr Carlo Caponecchia
‘Managers and big business already see bullying as a soft issue, so in dealing with this problem at a systemic level we have to be very careful that only the appropriate cases go forward. Bullying is bullying – it has separate criteria. Use them.’
inappropriate. Organisations needed to manage expectations about what outcomes to expect from making a bullying report, as some victims may believe that if their allegations are proven, the bullying perpetrator will be dismissed or moved.
When making a report, it was not essential to outline every bullying behaviour but details were important – the what, when, how and who. It was important to arrange the behaviours in chronological order and according to theme.
Dr Caponecchia was one of several expert speakers at the Prevention of Workplace Bullying Conference, which will be repeated on 14 October, with some minor changes to the program. Visit anmfvic.asn.au for more information and to register for the October event.
Dr Caponecchia said that applying mediation to a workplace bullying scenario was controversial and, in his view, often
Find our workplace bullying guide at anmfvic.asn.au/bullying-guide www.anmfvic.asn.au
Feeling better after the Wellness Conference? The third Wellness Conference attracted a record audience of more than 900 nurses and midwives, who left better-equipped to get well and stay well, with tips about everything from diet to mindfulness and stress management. The day included African drumming, massage demonstration and a performance by the Brunswick Women’s Choir, among practical presentations from some of Australia’s preeminent wellness experts. Presented by the Nursing & Midwifery Health Program Victoria and ANMF (Vic Branch), the conference also included NMHPV former clients-turnedchampions talking about the benefits of having a support service for nurses and midwives that is run by nurses. If you missed out, here’s some take-home points from some of the conference’s speakers. Jackie Furey, ‘Building resilience for personal wellness’ You need to know: ‘This is who I am. This is what I want. This is what I’ll give. This is what I’ll take.’ Knowing these will allow you to be firm and not to wobble when faced with situations where uncomfortable feelings arise. You need to understand how to stay comfortably uncomfortable, how to hold yourself….when you’re uncomfortable, breathe, say a word to yourself, like ‘steady’, ‘calm’ , ‘easy’ – something that anchors you back down. It’s OK to feel uncomfortable. If you are willing to ‘love’ someone, in the sense of holding them in warm positive regard, then that person is more likely to give you their best and we need to have that (same) friendliness towards ourselves. Mark Bunn, ‘Practical strategies for individual wellness’ Lighten up the evening meal – it will absolutely transform your life. As the sun sets, your digestive power also goes down, so lighter evening meals will also be more easily digested. What does drinking ice-cold drinks do to our digestive fire? It puts it out. Don’t drink icy cold beverages. Ayurveda is a (Hindu) system of healthcare thousands of years old. Under the Ayurveda system, people predominantly belong in one of three groups or ‘doshas,’ which inform what food, exercise and stress management techniques are right for us: Vata – (air), Pitta – (fire) and Kapha – (earth). To find out your type, visit markbunn.com. au/doshas Dr Russ Harris, Mindfulness and Acceptance Commitment Therapy in practice In challenging situations, difficult thoughts, www.anmfvic.asn.au
feelings, memories, urges and sensations show up. If we get ‘hooked’ by those feelings, if we get caught up in them, we tend to move away from our values, away from the person you want to be deep in your heart. The more you’re able to disengage from difficult thoughts and feelings, stay in the present and in alignment with your values, the more resilient you are. Everyone has their version of the ‘I’m not good enough’ story. Take the nastiest version of your ‘I’m not good enough’ story and put it into a short sentence. Now silently repeat it with these words in front of it: ‘I’m having the thought that…’ Now silently say the sentence with this phrase in front of it: ‘I notice that I’m having the thought that…’ This helps you get some distance from the thought, to ‘unhook’ from the thought. Dr Caroline West, ‘Successfully managing your stress and you’ To manage our stress we first have to be aware of how it’s impacting our bodies. We also get behavioural signs of stress, such as becoming more black and white in our thinking, more rigid in our thinking. We make more mistakes, we take longer to come to a decision; we might start to ruminate. Some of the burnout signs are dreading to see patients, chronic complaining, even fantasizing about a change in career. Step back and see what you can do to self-care. One of the biggest stress-busters is having a plan and making some goals around that plan. Think of exercise as an opportunity, not an inconvenience. Think about how you could increase the opportunities for exercise such as embedding it in your commute – get to work by cycling or on foot.
Call for law reform on privately practising midwives The ANMF (Vic Branch) has called for the Victorian Government to legislate to prevent midwives from practising privately at home births if they are unregistered. ANMF (Vic Branch) Secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick has written to the Victorian Health Minister Jill Hennessy asking for legislation to address an inadequacy with the National Law which allows midwives to continue practising despite being unregistered. Ms Fitzpatrick said the inadequacy was highlighted by the 2012 South Australian inquest into the deaths of three babies. The Deputy Coroner noted that ‘unregistered practising midwives providing care for women having planned home births are essentially beyond reach of the law.’ In 2013 the South Australian Government enacted legislation around the issue. ANMF (Vic Branch) also noted that there was currently a case before the Victorian Coroner involving a privately practising, unregistered midwife. Legal advice obtained by ANMF (Vic Branch) indicates that adoption of a practice protection provision, as provided under National Law for other professions such as dentistry, optical prescription and spinal manipulation, is one approach to rectifying the issue. The Health Minister has responded to the ANMF (Vic Branch), saying that she shared the view that the deaths of babies in home births under the care of unregistered midwives highlighted deficiencies in the regulatory framework. The Minister said she had sought advice from the Department of Health & Human Services about options for reform. July 2015
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In focus - NMHPV Nursing and Midwifery Health Program Victoria – when carers need care Since 2006, the Nursing and Midwifery Health Program Victoria has been caring for carers, those nurses and midwives who are struggling with substance use or mental health issues. The statistics speak of the NMHPV’s success: • 91 per cent of nurses were either supported to remain at work, returned to work or had a plan to return to work in nursing • 82 per cent of participants entered into a positive ongoing personal therapeutic relationship, and • 67 per cent of nurse participants displayed a significant behavioural change that resulted in an improved health status. With only three part-time case managers NMHPV has helped more than 1200 nurses and midwives out of the darkness of dealing with mental health issues, substance use issues or classic burnout. It is a unique program in which nurses offer support to other nurses and midwives within a case management model – support tailored to the individual rather than ‘one size fits all’. Initially established as an independent, confidential service to help nurses and midwives deal with substance use and mental health issues, the focus of the service has since broadened. The NMHPV not only helps nurses and midwives who are struggling, it also promotes good health and wellness.
be allocated to a fund for the NMHP, to be administered by the ANMF federally, with funds available for a service to be available in each state and territory. Service models in each state would be structured appropriately for that state. In Victoria, the NMHPV’s case management model has proven highly effective – with the availability of support face to face, by phone and within peer groups, and a regional outreach service. ANMF (Vic Branch) Secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick said nurses work in a difficult and stressful environment, and the NMHPV enables them to get help with any substance use or mental health problems rather than feel ashamed and ‘go underground’ with issues. ‘The NMHPV is not only supporting nurses and midwives who are spiralling downwards and alleviating the effects on their families and friends but it’s also providing great economic benefits in terms of keeping trained and experienced nurses and midwives in the healthcare industry,’ Ms Fitzpatrick said. The report of NMHPV’s independent evaluation by the University of Melbourne’s Dr Bridget Hamilton and Dr Rachael Duncan was released in 2012. The then Nurses Board of Victoria commissioned the evaluation to consider the effectiveness of the NMHPV against its objectives for the years 20062011.
In 2010, the NMHPV with support from ANMF (Vic Branch) ran the first Wellness Conference (see page 5 to read about the latest conference) to highlight strategies that nurses and midwives can use to keep themselves healthy in mind, body and spirit.
The evaluation found there was a strong case for the NMHPV to continue, based on the clear need among nurses and the very high level of satisfaction with NMHPV’s direct services – with positive work outcomes and a reduction in stigma among nurses to coming forward with mental health and substance abuse issues.
The NMHPV is funded by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, through registration fees paid by nurses and midwives. Since 2010, the NMHPV has been funded $500,000 per year – or $5.19 for each Victorian registered nurse or midwife.
The research found that health problems among nurses and midwives cause loss of productivity in the workplace, reduced quality and safety of patient care and reduced wellbeing among nurses and midwives.
However, the continued existence of the NMHPV is in doubt, with the Board only guaranteeing funding until June 2016 and a funding review underway. Recognising the value of the program to nurses and midwives, ANMF (Vic Branch) has been advocating to secure its future.
The evaluation report noted that healthcare environments were likely to feature three factors associated with ill health resulting from high stress levels – low control over work decisions, high psychological or emotional demand and low levels of support.
In April 2014, the Medical Board of Australia announced it would fund health programs to deliver a nationally consistent set of services to doctors and student doctors in all states and territories, to be run independently of the Board. ANMF (Vic Branch) is proposing a similar funding and operational model for the NMHP. We are proposing that a small proportion of each nurse and midwife’s registration fees
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The report also noted that Berryman (2002), in a study of the link between workplace stress among nurses, substance use and mental health, found that nurses had higher rates
of alcohol, tobacco and benzodiazepine consumption than the general population. Wide acceptance of alcohol use as a coping mechanism led to denial of dependence and delay in seeking help. The research found that NMHPV had built a strong reputation among healthcare providers, and gained international recognition for its service model. Satisfaction with the service was uniformly very high for direct service clients and equally among employers and regulators, regarding support, safety and employment outcomes. NMHPV was providing a comprehensive, flexible and responsive service with no parallel in Australia. ‘All stakeholders were unstintingly positive in feedback about their contact with NMHPV. In the case of clients of the service, the emotional tone was often intense, also surprised and grateful,’ the report said. The report said clients frequently identified the importance of the NMHPV being run by nurses who could identify with their issues and affirm their identity as nurses. A cost-benefit analysis of the NMHPV for the period of August 2006 to July 2011 was conducted by Dr Paula Lorgelly, Senior Research Fellow, of Monash University. Dr Lorgelly’s research estimated the NMHPV, by supporting nurses and midwives to return to work, had saved the public sector an estimated $4.3m and the private sector $2.9m. Dr Lorgelly found the conservative estimate of the cost to the public sector of lost productivity due to nurses having time off because of mental health issues or substance abuse problems was $3.6m and the private sector $6.5m. Overall, for those who went through the program from August 2006-July 2011, the NMHPV represented a direct cost saving to the health sector of $7.2m.
Glenn Taylor, CEO, NMHPV
www.anmfvic.asn.au
Danielle’s road to recovery with NMHPV About three years ago, nurse Danielle Jaeger was struggling. She was having difficulty coming to terms with the death of her father, she was depressed and anxious and, to add to the strain, Danielle also felt like a failure because she was not able to care for her patients at her usual high standard. At the time, Danielle was unaware of the Nursing and Midwifery Health Program Victoria (NMHPV). Luckily for Danielle her manager at the time did know about it. Danielle was introduced to case manager Natalie Spencer, whose ‘patient, consistent, helpful and flexible’ approach was an immediate balm. Even so, it took about six months for Danielle to see through the trust cloud created by anxiety and depression to really open up to Natalie. An open-ended case management model was important – and having a support service run by nurses was crucial to Danielle’s recovery, she said. ‘You are talking to nurses at NMHPV who understand about the difficulties and the complexities behind nursing and shiftwork and dealing with difficult patients and colleagues, dealing with different teams at work; understanding time constraints and the pressures you’re under as a nurse,’ Danielle said. ‘That’s what is so amazing about the service. You’re able to see a nurse who understands how difficult being a nurse is.’ Over time, Danielle and Natalie worked www.anmfvic.asn.au
Photo: Danielle Jaeger (centre) performing with the Brunswick Women’s Choir together on strategies to manage Danielle’s anxiety and depression. One of the things that Danielle did to pull herself out of depression was put herself on the waiting list for the Brunswick Women’s Choir. Two years later, Danielle’s name finally appeared at the top of the list – as a proud member of the choir, Danielle sang at the NMHPV’s Wellness Conference in May. ‘I started to have more confidence in myself and started to believe I was worth it. I also started building up meaningful relationships in my life,’ Danielle said of her work with Natalie at NMHPV. Danielle is now an NMHPV ‘champion’, telling other nurses and midwives about the service and sharing her story in a video Road to Recovery. The video can be viewed at the NMHPV’s website: www.nmhp.org.au NMHPV champions are nurses and midwives who are willing to promote the service to other nurses and midwives. For further information about becoming an NMHPV champion, visit www.nmhp.org.au
A manager’s view of NMHPV With a team of 58 midwives to manage, the Nursing and Midwifery Health Program Victoria has been a boon for Angela Scully, Maternity Unit Manager at Traralgon’s Latrobe Regional Hospital. When a member of Ms Scully’s team is having issues that are affecting their mental health, she knows she can pick up the phone and refer them to the NMHPV. ‘It’s all very well to say “Get help from friends and family” but I think talking to an outside
person is extremely helpful,’ Ms Scully said. ‘It’s also extremely important that it’s run by nurses, as nurses understand that we are meant to be upright, cheery people at work and you can’t hide anywhere.’ She has referred 8-10 members of staff to the program, for a range of issues. ‘For example, someone was returning to work after some mental health issues. With the person’s permission, (NMHPV CEO) Glenn (Taylor) was working with the person to return to work in a safe way.’ Ms Scully said it could be difficult for a nurse to admit they are not coping, let alone seek help, so often she is the one who makes the initial introductory call to the NMHPV, with the staff member standing by. The program has the dual benefit of providing an independent, anonymous form of support to staff members and helping Ms Scully’s staff members return to work as happier people who are more capable of caring for patients. ‘My husband says “A happy wife is a happy life”,’ Ms Scully said. ‘I say “Happy midwives, happy life.”’ Ms Scully has also invited the NMHPV to present on wellness and strategies to maintain a healthy work/life balance, particularly useful for graduate nurses and midwives who are ‘yet to hit the bumps in the road’. When they do meet difficult circumstances, they will be able to draw upon the strategies NMHPV has imparted. ‘That’s a preventative thing, from my perspective,’ she said.
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Member profile By road or by air, when a baby needs help, Kay’s there
As a retrieval nurse at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Kay Downing estimates she has cared for more than 1000 babies. That’s more than 1000 babies who may well not have lived without being transported for emergency or intensive care. Kay works for the newborn emergency transfer service (NETS), one of three services under the umbrella of the hospital’s Pediatric Infant Perinatal Emergency Referral Service. The other services are the Perinatal Emergency Referral Service and Pediatric Emergency Transport Service, which transports children aged up to 17 years.
‘It is an exciting job, I have to say, when you’re flying around… We have to adapt; we have to be able to walk into a situation and switch on.’ Travelling by air – by plane or, sometimes, helicopter – or by road, a doctor and nurse team travels to hospitals where the baby is being cared for, helps to stabilise the baby’s condition and then travels with the baby to the Royal Children’s Hospital. The service covers Victoria, southern NSW and Tasmania, with the service provided to other states and even internationally, if needed. Kay’s patients are babies born at smaller hospitals needing intensive care or who have a complex cardiac issue and need care at a hospital which specialises in cardiac care for babies. When there are no babies needing to be transported to the RCH, the team takes calls about perinatal cases – pregnant women who are at risk of a premature delivery in a level one or level two hospital and antepartum haemorrhages. 8
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Upon receiving an emergency call for a baby needing retrieval, the team takes off with their transport incubator/intensive care unit, which has a ventilator, syringe pumps, monitoring equipment and nitrous oxide for babies who have been deprived of oxygen at birth but cannot be oxygenated with a ventilator. The unit is also fitted out to cool babies who are at risk of brain trauma – this keeps the brain from swelling. These babies are kept at a body temperature of between 33 and 34 degrees for three days.
when equipment fails. One time, Kay had to manually press the breath button on a ventilator all the way from Wodonga to Melbourne. There’s an obvious satisfaction about caring for sick babies and by default, the distraught parents, but Kay also loves the variety and unpredictability of her role.
‘When a level one or two hospital refers a sick baby to us you know that they’re stressed because they don’t have the facilities to deal with a sick baby, an extremely premature baby,’ Kay said.
‘It is an exciting job, I have to say, when you’re flying around… We have to adapt; we have to be able to walk into a situation and switch on.’
‘A lot of these hospitals don’t have the equipment; a lot of the level one hospitals don’t have a ventilator, so they have to stand and hand-ventilate until we arrive.’ Given that the service responds to emergency referral there is no such thing as a typical day, with the number of retrievals ranging from zero to a record 11 retrievals. Most retrievals take about six hours, however, including travel time and time making sure the baby is stabilised. ‘If the baby’s not stabilised before we move, the baby’s at risk, especially in the air,’ Kay explained. ‘If a baby collapsed in the helicopter there’s really not a lot we can do because we can’t get out of our seat. If a baby needed re-intubating in a helicopter we couldn’t do it. That’s why we’re sometimes at referring hospitals for a long time.’ The job involves pressure, the need to think on one’s feet and occasionally to improvise
‘Every baby’s different and it’s great to get to know the family too. I love the transport side of my role, as obviously I’m not in the same place for my whole day and I like being out and about in the state,’ Kay said.
A registered nurse and midwife, Kay has postgraduate qualifications in neonatal nursing and has worked in this specialty since the early 1990s. More recently, Kay has experienced a different world, as a participant in the Anna Stewart Project, which aims to increase women’s involvement in the union movement. During the two-week project, participant ANMF Job Reps gain an insight into the day-to-day work of their union and the union movement generally. During Kay’s fortnight in the program, she visited workplaces with ANMF organisers, sat in on a meeting of the ANMF (Vic Branch) Council and even appeared on television news dancing in a flashmob organised by the Maritime Union of Australia. The action was to highlight the plight of Australian BP workers whose jobs are under threat as a result of outsourcing fuel transport to international operators. www.anmfvic.asn.au
ANMF (Vic Branch) education grants close soon Each year ANMF (Vic Branch) education grants are available for members in metropolitan or regional areas who are undertaking further study relevant to their area of practice. The total value of the metropolitan education grants is $7500 and the grant round closes on Friday 31 July. To apply applicants must: • have been an ANMF (Vic Branch) financial member for at least the past 24 months • provide confirmation of enrolment in the relevant higher education • provide proof of payment in the relevant higher education • complete the course within two years • not have been in receipt of the ANMF grant in the previous 23 months • provide a written application of no more than 250 words detailing the ways in which the education will be beneficial • live within 70kms of the CBD.
The total value of the regional education grants is also $7500 and the same criteria apply, except these grants are available to members living more than 70kms from the Melbourne central business district. The regional education grant round also closes on Friday 31 July. Visit anmfvic.asn.au to download an application form. For any enquiries about the grants, please contact Trish O’Hara at ANMF (Vic Branch) on 9275 9333 or tohara@ anmfvic.asn.au Applications can be sent to Trish O’Hara, ANMF (Vic Branch), Box 12600 A’Beckett Street PO, Melbourne VIC 8006. Members who have been a financial member for at least 12 months can apply at any time for an ANMF BankVic Conference, Study and Grants Project for financial assistance to attend a Victorian, interstate or international conference. Criteria apply. Visit anmfvic. asn.au to download an information pack or contact Lindy Williams on 9275 9333 or lwilliams@anmfvic.asn.au for further information.
Job Reps preparing for EBA time With the public sector enterprise bargaining agreement expiring at the end of March next year and the Delegates Conference over, ANMF (Vic Branch) is gearing up to negotiate new agreements for nurses and midwives. If your Job Reps have been more active lately, they may have been inspired by our two-day ‘Workplace organising and campaigning’ course which began this year. The courses are run with Job Reps’ organisers in the room, guiding the Reps as they identify and plan key tasks in their workplaces.
In the ‘Workplace organising and campaigning course’, Job Reps analyse how they can increase ANMF membership in their workplaces and encourage members to be more involved in union activities, including becoming Job Reps. If you are a member interested in becoming a Job Rep, visit our website anmfvic.asn.au and download the Become an ANMF (Vic Branch) Job Rep brochure or talk to your organiser. See page 11 for details of the next Job Rep training courses.
Nurse wellness programs Nursing and midwifery are, without question, demanding professions. As a result of our work we can feel like our tank is running on empty. A lack of motivation or belief that it can be different can create a day-to-day reality where stress, fatigue and burnout are commonplace. To assist ANMF members to cope with the pressures of work and prevent the effects of this feeling of emptiness, the Education Centre has partnered with Jane Robotham, a registered nurse with 30 years experience, to deliver wellness programs specifically for nurses and midwives. See page 12 and 14 for more details.
Have CPD, will travel Did you know that the ANMF (Vic Branch) Education Centre can run education for nurses and midwives at your location? Some of the courses we can deliver at your workplace include: ‘Documentation principles for nurses and midwives’; ‘Communication in health care for nurses and midwives’; ‘Law and ethics for nurses and midwives’; ‘Principles of infection control’; ‘Managing the deteriorating patient’ and ‘Practical and quick stress relief techniques’. Professional development courses and workshops can also be tailored to meet specific workplace needs of healthcare organisations. For more information contact Jenny Poulter or Libby Muir by email: education@anmfvic.asn.au or call 9275 9363.
The course is aimed at getting Job Reps prepared for enterprise agreement time, by building the ANMF presence in their workplaces and preparing Reps for conversations with members about the log of claims for pay and conditions under their new agreements. Seven courses have been run so far with another 15 scheduled for the remainder of 2015. About five more courses will take place early in 2016. All workplaces, per organiser area, have been assigned a ‘Workplace organising and campaigning’ course, with the next courses being run in July and August for workplaces organised by Lisa Stingel and Gail Were, respectively. Job Reps and organisers will begin meeting with members in October when the log of claims for the next public sector agreement has been finalised.
www.anmfvic.asn.au
July 2015
9
AUSTRALIAN NURSING AND MIDWIFERY FEDERATION
VICTORIAN BRANCH
Staff changes
ELECTION NOTICE Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009
Amy currently works as a clinical nurse specialist and as dysplasia service nurse-coordinator at The Royal Women’s Hospital. She is a cancer nurse with over twelve years’ experience caring for women with gynaecological and breast cancer and other gynaecological diagnoses.
Nominations are called for the following offices: Branch President Branch Vice President Branch Executive Member Branch Councillor
(1) (1) (4) (14)
Written nominations which comply with the Federation’s rules must reach the Returning Officer not later than 12:00 noon on Monday, 31 August 2015. Nominations cannot be withdrawn after this time. Statements: Candidates may submit a statement to be included with ballot material. In accordance with Branch Rule 85.5 candidates may submit a 200 word (maximum) statement and a photograph of themselves, in support of their candidature. The statement will be reproduced in a form suitable for posting to voters with ballot material. Statements must reach me not later than 12:00 noon on Monday, 7 September 2015. Statements and photos must be in an electronic format (MS Word and JPEG) and can be emailed to vicelections@aec.gov.au ADDRESS FOR LODGING NOMINATIONS & STATEMENTS By Post: By Hand: By Fax: By Email:
Amy Cooper has been appointed as industrial relations organiser until the end of January 2016.
Australian Electoral Commission, GPO Box 4382, Melbourne, Vic, 3001 Level 8, Casselden, 2 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne VIC 3001 (03) 9285 7149 vicelections@aec.gov.au (MUST BE signed and scanned)
Amy will be taking on responsibility for workplaces previously organised by Virginia McCracken including St Vincent’s Hospital. Virginia McCracken is now an information officer with InfoLine. Christian Sanderson is industrial organiser for workplaces usually covered by Kylie Martin, who is on maternity leave until the end of January. We have farewelled industrial professional secretary Aoife Ni Dhalaigh and Bezi Lamb, who has assisted ANMF members for 15 years, most recently at InfoLine. ANMF (Vic Branch) thanks Bezi for her valuable contribution to members and wishes her well in her retirement. Best wishes also to program educator Lissa Ryan who has left after eight years at the Branch. John Grant has joined us as an industrial organiser until November 2015 from the emergency department of the Royal Melbourne Hospital. John is covering workplaces usually organised by Anthony Stafford, including The Austin Hospital, while Anthony is temporarily replacing industrial officer Megan Reeve. John will then take on Nicole Smith’s facilities including Monash while she provides cover for relieving organiser Linda Elliott who is taking long service leave.
BALLOT: The ballot, if required, will open on Monday, 28 September 2015 and close at 10:00am on Monday, 19 October 2015. Changed Address? Advise the Federation now. NOTE: A copy of the AEC’s election report can be obtained from the organisation or from me after the completion of the election.
Five-day Initial HSR OHS Course (VWA approved) This course relates specifically to health and aged care workplaces, with a strong focus on issues and hazards relevant to nursing, and is designed to equip elected HSRs and Deputy HSRs with an understanding of the OHS regulatory framework. It is also designed to provide participants with the skills required to implement effective hazard control strategies in the workplace. Course 3: 5, 6, & 7 August, 20 & 21 August Course 4: 11, 12 & 13 November & 3 & 4 December Time: 9am – 5pm each day Venue: Carson Conference Centre, ANMF House, 540 Elizabeth St, Melb Cost: $750 (payable by employer). Register online: www.tiny.cc/14hsr5day
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July 2015
Full members of ANMF (Vic Branch) receive $400 in annual credit for use at our online CPD Portal. This month’s featured CPD module is
‘Refugee and asylum seeker health’.
This module focuses on the care of people who come to Victoria as refugees and asylum seekers. Each year approximately 4000 refugees settle in this state - last year the number was over 7000. It is therefore highly likely that in your nursing role, no matter in what clinical setting, you will care for people of refugee or asylum seeker backgrounds. There are also resources, videos, and links for you to continue your learning. This module provides four hours of CPD required for registration and costs $80 or $80 of full members’ annual $400 credit. Visit the CPD Portal at anmfvic.asn.au for this module and other online learning.
Benjamin Murray Returning Officer Tel: (03) 9285 7129
OHS courses
Redeem your online credit
One-day HSR OHS Refresher Course (VWA approved)
Regional courses:
This one-day refresher course relates specifically to health and aged care workplaces, with a strong focus on issues and hazards relevant to nursing, and is designed to refresh HSRs’ knowledge and understanding of the OHS regulatory framework. It is also designed to provide participants with the skills required to implement effective hazard control strategies in the workplace.
Time: 9am – 5pm
Metropolitan courses:
Conferences
Course 3: 16 July Course 4: 8 October Time: 9am – 5pm Venue: Carson Conference Centre, ANMF House, 540 Elizabeth Street, Melb Cost: $250 (payable by employer).
Course 2: Bendigo 12 August Venue: Notified on registration confirmation. Cost: $250 (payable by employer). Regional courses are subject to a minimum number of 10 participants per course. Register online: www.tiny.cc/14hsr1reg If you would like us to consider presenting a course in your area, please email a request. Working Hours, Shifts and Fatigue: 27 August ANMF Nurses & Midwives Conference MCEC, South Wharf: 10 & 11 September Prevention of Workplace Bullying: 14 October Visit the website for a complete list of events
Register online: www.tiny.cc/14hsr1met www.anmfvic.asn.au
Job Rep training schedule In 2015, ANMF (Vic Branch) is offering new and revised training programs for Job Reps.
The registration form will guide you to the correct program for your workplace.
Workplace organising and campaigning
Melbourne:
Workplace organising and campaigning is a workplace-specific two-day program, and will provide Job Reps with planning tools, strategies and activities to educate and engage colleagues. Working directly with your ANMF industrial organiser, together with Job Reps from your workplace, you will learn practical skills and be supported to:
12-13 August, Melbourne (organiser Lisa Stingel)
• learn how to engage members in union activities • build relationships across the workplace • establish sustainable structures and communication networks • develop and practise recruitment conversations and strategies. Entry to each program is according to your primary workplace, e.g. Melbourne Health or Eastern Health. All workplaces (per organiser area) will be assigned a program date between February 2015 and April 2016.
Special Interest Groups
28-29 July, Melbourne (organiser Gail Were)
24-25 November, Melbourne (organiser Anthony Stafford) 6-7 October, Dandenong (organisers Nicole Smith and Lynne West) 1-2 December, Melbourne (organiser Judith Milne) Regional: to be held in each location, for Reps in these regional areas 26-27 August, Echuca (organiser Christine Steiner) 23-24 September, Wangaratta (organiser Alison Kairns) 11-12 November, Ballarat (organiser Allan Townsend) Please visit anmfvic.asn.au for the latest schedule
Your union, your role – an introduction for Job Reps Your Union, your role – an introduction for Job Reps is a one-day program for new Job Reps from any workplace. Metropolitan Reps, and Latrobe and Geelong Reps, can choose any metropolitan date for this program. Regional Reps need to select dates for their specific region. In this program new Job Reps will learn ANMF (Vic Branch) key objectives, structure and resources, plus guidance on skills and strategies to support you in your role. Visit our website anmfvic.asn.au for further information about the programs and to enrol online or phone the Job Rep training team on 9275 9333 for further information or for assistance with online registration. Melbourne: For metro-based Reps, held at ANMF Victorian Branch, 540 Elizabeth St, Melbourne 5 August 15 September 13 October Regional: for Reps in the regional organiser catchment area, held at a venue in these locations: Warrnambool: 20 August Echuca: 25 August Wangaratta: 22 September Ballarat: 10 November
Visit www.anmfvic.asn.au/interestgroups for all upcoming ANMF (Victorian Branch) Special Interest Group news, events and meetings. ANMF House is located at 540 Elizabeth St, Melbourne
Advance Care Planning SIG Topic: When: Venue: Inq:
Committee Meeting 16 July, 5.30-7pm Carson Conference Centre, ANMF House Kathryn Whiteside Kathryn.Whiteside@austin.org.au
ANZANAC (HIV Nursing SIG) Topic: When: Venue: Topic: When: Venue: Inq:
Members meeting Tuesday 14 July, 6.30-8pm The Retreat Hotel, Abbotsford Movie Night, Rampant and Stephen Fry – HIV and Me, Tuesday 21 July, 6.30-8pm Carson Conference Centre, ANMF House Milena Pinamonti, anzanac.vic@gmail.com or 0466 280 445
Day Surgery SIG
Topic: Executive meeting When: Wednesday 15 July, 6pm Venue: TBA Topic: Members’ Meeting, Education Session, AGM When: Saturday 25 July, 9am-1pm Venue: Carson Conference Centre, ANMF House Inq: Chris Guidotti chris_guidotti@y7mail.com
Immunisation Nurses SIG Inq:
Vikkie Coghlan vikk1c36@bigpond.com.au
Medical Imaging Nurses Assoc When: Topic: Venue: Inq:
Saturday 18 July, Members workshop Royal Melbourne Hospital – City Campus Deborah Shears deborah.shears@i-med.com.au
Mental Health Nurses SIG Inq:
Carole de Greenlaw records@anmfvic.asn.au
Nurses for Continence Topic: When: Venue Inq:
Joint NFC and VUNS Study Day Saturday 25 July, 8am-3.30pm St Vincent’s Hospital Christine Sumper nfcv.sec@gmail.com
Orthopaedic Nurses’ Assoc Inq:
Meinir Griffiths 9342 8417 Rita Moreno 9345 5303
Palliative Care SIG Inq:
Lyndsay Cassidy Lyndsay.CASSIDY@svhm.org.au
Preadmission Nurses Group
Inq: Catherine Wallace-Wilkinson positivehealth@bigpond.com 0411 557 631
Topic: When: Venue: Inq:
Injured Nurses’ Support Group
Safe Patient Handling
Diabetes Nurse Educators SIG
When: Topic: Venue: Inq:
Tuesday 21 July, 11am-12.30pm Members meeting Level 3 boardroom, ANMF house Annie Rutter 1300 760 602
www.anmfvic.asn.au
Inq:
Professional day Saturday 18 July, 8am-1pm Carson Conference Center, ANMF House Kate Hussey kate.hussey@healthscope.com.au Stephen Morley smorley@bendigohealth.org.au
Vic Assoc Maternal & Child Health Nurses Topic: Executive meeting When: Wednesday, 8 July 6-9.30pm Venue: TBA Inq: Helen Watson 0419 103 795 vamchn.group@gmail.com Topic: Members meeting When Wednesday, 15 July 5-10pm Venue: Carson Conference Centre
Victorian School Nurses Topic: When: Venue: Inq:
Members meeting Tuesday 28 July, 5.30-9.30pm Carson Conference Centre Gina Harrex 0401 717 352
Vic Assoc of Research Nurses Inq:
Lesley Poulton lesley.poulton@monash.edu
Vic Midwifery Homecare SIG
Venue: Carson Conference Centre ANMF House Inq: Ingrid Ridler IRidler@mercy.com.au
Vic Perioperative Nurses’ Group Topic: When: Topic: When: Venue: Inq:
Committee meeting Tuesday 28 July State Conference 30-31 July Pullman Albert Park enquiries@vpng.org.au or 1300 721 169
Vic Urological Nurses Society Topic: When: Venue Inq:
Joint NFC and VUNS Study Day Saturday 25 July, 8am-3.30pm St Vincent’s Hospital Ros Lawrence rostommy1@optusnet.com.au
July 2015
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July
Advanced Life Support in a clinical setting. The program incorporates theoretical lectures, clinical skill stations and scenarios.
M An update on pre-eclampsia CPD: 3 hours, course code: 848 14 July 2015 9.00am-12.00pm Presenter Dr Wendy Pollock Pre-eclampsia is a complex, multi-system disorder that affects between five to eight per cent of all pregnant women. This session will provide an update on our understanding of pre-eclampsia and discuss priorities of management related to prevention of the condition, recognition of the condition, acute treatment and long-term implications of the condition for women. Member $110, Non-member $180, Job Rep or ANF SIG member $100
The ups and downs of male incontinence
ALL
A total of 16 CPD hours are assigned to this program (based on 12 hours program contact and 4 hours self-directed learning). ANMF/ACCCN member $360, Non-member $460
RN EN
Advanced skills for dementia
care CPD: 6 hours, course code:849 15 July 2015 9.30am-4.30pm Presenter Dr. Rosalie Hudson This workshop assists nurses to increase their knowledge, skills and confidence to offer people with dementia (in any setting) the best practice, evidence based person-centered care emphasising end-of-life care for people with advanced dementia and appropriate symptom management.
CPD: 4 hours, course code: 982 Member $180, Non-member $215, Job Rep 22 July 2015 or SIG member $170 9.00am-1.00pm Presenter Lisa Wragg ALL Hepatitis C - bloody important Continence Foundation of Australia, Victorian facts Branch CPD: 3 Hours, course code:884 The ups and downs of male incontinence Wednesday 16 July 2015 is designed to provide participants with a 9.30am-12.30pm comprehensive understanding of the anatomy Presenter Gabrielle Bennett, Victorian Viral and physiology of the lower urinary tract of Hepatitis Educator the male and discuss common pathology Liver cancer is the fastest growing cause of and surgical interventions that cause cancer death in Australia. This is largely due incontinence. The continence management to untreated viral hepatitis. Yet only two per strategies will be presented utilising a cent of people living with hepatitis C get multidisciplinary model and will cover nursing treatment in Australia – why is this? Newly interventions, pelvic floor exercise therapy, available treatments are more effective, psychosocial issues, commonly used gadgets taken for shorter duration and have fewer and gizmos and how to access financial unwanted effects. assistance. Member $110, Non-member $180, Job Rep or ANF SIG member $100
Adult ALS Certification: 2-day program
RN
CPD: 12 Hours, course code: 881 15 and 16 July 2015 8.30am-4.30pm Presenter ACCCN accredited trainers ANMF (Vic Branch) Education Centre is thrilled to work in partnership with the Australian College of Critical Care Nurses to deliver the ACCCN accredited ALS course. This course is most suitable for those with little or no experience/knowledge of ALS or those wanting a comprehensive update. Prior reading is expected. This two-day Adult Advanced Life Support program is for healthcare professionals who are required to provide Adult Basic and
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July 2015
This new half-day seminar aims to increase, update and support health professionals’ understanding of the facts about Hepatitis C including epidemiology, signs and symptoms, testing, the latest on management and treatment, Infection control and occupational exposure and stigma and discrimination. The seminar includes a positive speaker presentation. Member $110, Non-member $180, Job Rep or ANMF SIG member $100
Strengthening EN medication practice
EN
CPD: 6 Hours 30 July 2015 9.30am-4.30pm Presenter Joan Pickford This seminar will assist enrolled nurses to further develop and apply their skills and
Course key ALL Course available to all nurses, midwives, PCAs and AINs RN Course available to registered nurses EN Course available to enrolled nurses M Course available to midwives knowledge in the nursing practice area of medications. The learning will apply to a variety of health care settings and with reference to the professional practice framework. This seminar also aims to build upon skills and knowledge attained through completion of the nationally accredited units associated with NMBA approved enrolled nurse medication administration requirements and work practice. Member $180, Non-member $215, Job Rep or SIG member $170
Medication administration – principles and practice revisited
RN
CPD: 12 hours, course code: 1249 29 July & 5 August 2015 9.30am-4.30pm Presenter Sue Pleunik This two-day workshop is designed to update the register nurse skills in medication administration. Topics covered include administration via all five routes, drug calculations and managing IV pumps, syringe drivers and PCA systems. Member $360, non-member $420, Job Rep/ SIG member $320
August RN EN Managing difficult people CPD: 6 hours, course code: 850 5 August 2015 9.30am-4.30pm Presenter Brendan Scully This seminar addresses a variety of techniques that nurses and other healthcare professionals may utilize to manage difficult people and tense situations. Member $180, Non-member $215, Job Rep or SIG member $170
How to Stay Calm and Confident at Work
ALL
CPD: 4 hours, course code: 906 6 August 2015 12.30pm-4.30pm Presenter Jane Robotham This new workshop introduces Jane Robotham of Soul Clarity. An experienced www.anmfvic.asn.au
Education centre seminars and workshops nurse, Jane is also a nursing wellness educator, personal growth facilitator and wellness coach. Having worked part time in many facets of nursing for the past 30 years Jane has an understanding of the pressures and challenges nurses and carers face. It’s time to make your working life as a nurse or midwife more comfortable, less pressured and enjoyable again! This dynamic and highly relevant workshop provides simple tools to take control of discomfort in order to develop a sense of confidence, self-trust and clarity in your daily work. Minimise anxiety and worry by learning quick and practical techniques that are easy, enjoyable and highly effective. Please note there are supporting materials associated with this seminar, provided to attendees on the day. These are included in the registration cost. Member $110, Non-member $180, Job Rep or ANF SIG member $100
Early recognition of clinical deterioration in pregnant and postpartum women
M
CPD: 3 hours, course code: 851 11 August 2015 9.00am-12.00pm Presenter Dr Wendy Pollock Early recognition of clinical deterioration is increasingly recognised as a vital element of any health care – so much so, that it is ‘required’ as outlined in Standard nine in the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards. This session will discuss what clinical deterioration means for maternity patients and outline what makes recognition of clinical deterioration more challenging in the maternity population. Importantly, the response to clinical deterioration in a variety of clinical settings will be discussed. Member $110, Non-member $180, Job Rep or ANF SIG member $100
RN EN
Delirium and depression in the older person
RN EN
Assessment skills in the acute setting CPD: 6 hours, course code: 885 13 August 2015, 9.30am- 4.30pm Presenter Kate Potter This one day seminar is aimed at those registered and enrolled nurses who would like to refresh or update their knowledge and skills in patient assessment. The emphasis will be on the accurate, effective and timely assessment of patients in the acute setting and an overview of strategies to recognise and manage the deteriorating patient. Member $180, Non-member $215, Job Rep or SIG member $170
ALL Be Informed about Hepatitis B CPD: 3 Hours, course code:885 Tuesday 18 August 2015 9.30am-12.30pm Presenter Gabrielle Bennett, Victorian Viral Hepatitis Educator This new seminar aims to increase, update and support health professionals’ understanding of hepatitis B testing, diagnosis, treatment and monitoring. Increase, update and support nurses’ knowledge and skills of hepatitis B and infection control and nurses’ understanding of health literacy and cultural responsiveness when working with people living with hepatitis B. Without access to care, up to 25 per cent of people living with hepatitis B will develop advanced liver disease and/or liver cancer. Almost half of the people living with hepatitis B have not been diagnosed. Learn more about how our health services can improve and increase access to hepatitis B care. Member $110, Non-member $180, Job Rep or ANMF SIG member $100
IV cannulation for registered nurses and midwives
RN
CPD: 6 hours, course code: 853 12 August 2015 9.30am-4.30pm Presenter Dr. Rosalie Hudson When delirium and/or depression are suspected in an older person, the symptoms are often compounded by dementia. Professional practice requires skilled observation, assessment and clinical decisionmaking. This workshop will empower nurses to identify symptoms that can be effectively treated.
CPD: 6 hours, couse code:856 20 August 2015 9.30am-4.30pm Presenter Kate Potter This seminar will focus on the process and procedure for inserting peripheral IV in the adult patient. It includes an overview of relevant anatomy, selection of insertion sites and cannula, insertion techniques, infection control, common problems and corrective action. Identification of appropriate equipment, specific cannulation techniques and participant practice will be conducted utilising manikin simulation.
Member $180, Non-member $215, Job Rep or ANMF SIG member $170
Member $180, Non-member $215, Job Rep or SIG member $170
www.anmfvic.asn.au
RN EN
Depression and anxiety – recognising the symptoms CPD: 6 hours, course code: 857 28 August 2015 9.30am-4.30pm Presenter Helen Reeves This workshop will cover core knowledge and skills for staff employed within health services. The focus will include the exploration of depression and anxiety, including aetiology and intervention. Participants will gain practical skills and knowledge, transferable to the workplace. Member $180, Non-member $215, Job Rep or SIG member $170
September ECG – Recording and Interpretation
RN
CPD: 6 hours, course code: 858 4 September 2015 9.30am-4.30pm Presenter Kate Potter This workshop will include a thorough examination of recording and interpreting ECGs and is suitable for registered nurses. The day includes an overview of cardiac anatomy and physiology, ECG recording and trace interpretation and defining common arrhythmias – cause, presentation and management. Member $180, Non-member $215, Job Rep or SIG member $170
EN RN
Venepuncture, conducting a 12 lead ECG & contemporary pathology collection CPD: 6 hours, course code: 859 10 September 2015 9.30am-4.30pm Presenter Kate Potter This workshop delivers a comprehensive one-day program relating to venepuncture techniques and conducting a 12-lead electrocardiogram. A wide range of practical training aids for blood collection is provided, and the program allows participants to undertake practice of the relevant techniques under guided supervision in a simulated clinical environment. It is a must for nurses who are required to perform phlebotomy and undertake 12-lead ECG recording as part of their role. Member $180, Non-member $215, Job Rep or SIG member $170
July 2015
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Education centre RTO courses Adult ALS Certification: 2-day program
RN
CPD: 16 Hours, course code: 882 9 and 16 September 2015 8.30am-4.30pm Presenter ACCCN accredited trainers ANMF (Vic Branch) Education Centre is thrilled to work in partnership with the Australian College of Critical Care Nurses to deliver the ACCCN accredited ALS course. This course is most suitable for those with little or no experience/knowledge of ALS or those wanting a comprehensive update. Prior reading is expected.
health and sustainability in a different way. Why does sustainability matter for nursing and health? How can we reduce water, waste and energy at work? What difference can one nurse make? How can we enable change in those around us? Bring your questions, your ideas, your stories of successes and failures, your frustrations and your hopes. Get ready to enhance your journey from passionate person to sustainability change maker.
with regards to client care, funding and legal issues. The seminar will include a discussion on the ACFI and Aged Care Accreditation Standards and the principles of an effective handover. Member $180, Non-member $215, Job Rep or SIG member $170
EN RN
The art of communicating successfully in the contemporary nursing environment CPD: 6 hours, course code: 1042 30 September 2015 9.30am- 4.30pm Presenter Jenny Poulter This workshop is designed to support nurses to communicate in a clear, assertive and sensitive way in a multidisciplinary, multicultural and often tense environment where clients, patients and colleagues alike have diverse and varying needs.
Member $130, Non-member $200 This two-day Adult Advanced Life Support program is for healthcare professionals who ALL Practical and Quick Stress Relief are required to provide Adult Basic and Techniques Advanced Life Support in a clinical setting. The CPD: 4 hours, course code: 907 program incorporates theoretical lectures, 24 September 2015 clinical skill stations and scenarios. 12.30pm -4.30pm A total of 16 CPD hours are assigned to this Presenter Jane Robotham Member $180, Non-member $215, Job Rep program (based on 12 hours program contact This new workshop introduces Jane or SIG member $170 and 4 hours self-directed learning). Robotham of Soul Clarity. An experienced ANMF/ACCCN member $360, Non-member nurse, Jane is also a nursing wellness RN Managing the deteriorating $460 educator, personal growth facilitator and patient wellness coach. Having worked part time in M Hepatitis B for midwives and CPD: 6 hours, course code: 861 many facets of nursing for the past 30 years 30 September 2015 Jane has an understanding of the pressures MCHNs and challenges nurses and carers face. 9.30am-4.30pm CPD: 3 Hours, course code: 886 Presenter Bruce Killey Friday 11 September 2015 Nurses and Midwives are expected to fit This new one-day workshop takes a 9.30am-12.30pm in huge workloads and tasks often under comprehensive exploration and review pressure as unexpected outcomes occur Presenter Gabrielle Bennett, Victorian Viral of the important aspects of managing frequently. The cost of such demands at Hepatitis Educator patients who deteriorate whilst in acute times leaves us overloaded and exhausted. This new half-day seminar presents the facts care. The workshop focuses on advance skill Our enjoyment of our work suffers along about Hepatitis B for midwives and MCHN development for those working in the general with the quality of care we are able to including epidemiology, pregnancy and ward setting. Who is at risk? What signs offer our patients. This dynamic and highly hepatitis, signs & symptoms, testing, the and symptoms should “worry� you? How to relevant workshop explores the nature of latest on management & treatment, Infection immediately manage such situations and how stress associated with working in these roles. control & occupational exposure and stigma to get help in a timely and effective manner? Dissolve daily stress and fatigue and improve & discrimination. The seminar includes wellbeing by learning simple and practical Member $180, Non-member $215, Job Rep a positive speaker presentation and the techniques that are easy, enjoyable and highly or SIG member $170 importance of health literacy. effective. Member $110, Non-member $180, Job Rep Please note there are supporting materials or ANMF SIG member $100 associated with this seminar, provided to RTOID 22609 attendees on the day. These are included in ALL Nursing for Ecological the registration cost. Sustainability: a practical hands on ALL HLTAID001 Provide Cardio Member $110, Non-member $180, Job Rep seminar Pulmonary Resuscitation or ANF SIG member $100 CPD: 3 Hours, course code: 949 CPD: 3 hours 17 September 2015 17 June 2015 ALL The importance of documenting 9.30am-12.30pm 9.00am-12 pm nursing care within the aged care Presenter Ian McBurney, Live Ecological Presenter Jennifer Irwin environment ANMF (Vic Branch) Education Centre is Renewing CPR qualifications is an essential CPD: 6 hours, course code: 860 excited to announce an intensive with part of professional development for many 21 September 2015 Ian McBurney from Live Ecological. Many nurses and midwives. ANMF (Vic Branch) 9.30am-4.30pm members will have had the pleasure of Education Centre offers members nationally hearing Ian speak at the ANMF (Vic Branch) Presenter Margaret Lang recognised training delivered by experienced Health and Environmental Sustainability nurse trainers. These courses fill fast so enrol This seminar highlights the importance of an conference, an entertaining and thought as early as possible. understanding of the significance of accurate provoking speaker with a stellar reputation, documentation in Aged Care. Identifying Member $110, Non-member $180, Job Rep Ian will challenge and inspire you to look at the when, why and what of documentation or ANF SIG member $100
RTO accredited courses
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July 2015
www.anmfvic.asn.au
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Course registration form
Register online at anmfvic.asn/education or complete this form and return to the ANMF education centre.
Venue The ANMF (Vic Branch) Education Centre, ANMF (Vic Branch) Registered Training Organisation (RTO 3601), nursing laboratory and library are located near the Melbourne CBD at ANMF House, 540 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne.
Upcoming course program Visit anmfvic.asn.au/education for information about these and upcoming courses.
Continuing professional development (CPD) All nurses and midwives are required to undertake 20 hours of continuing professional development each year as part of the requirements to re-register with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. For information visit nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au
Costs Significant discounts on many Education Centre courses (excluding government-funded courses) are available to ANMF members, Job Reps and ANMF Special Interest Group members. Courses may be tax deductible. Ask your tax consultant for advice.
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Credit card number Expiry Amount: $ Cardholder name Cardholder signature Please forward fully completed registration form and payment: ANMF (Vic Branch) Education Centre Box 12600 A’Beckett Street Post Office Melbourne Vic 8006 OR scan and email to education@anmfvic.asn.au Once payment is received a receipt will be posted to you. Please make cheques payable to ANMF (Vic Branch) Education Centre. Disclaimer
ANMF (Vic Branch) Education Centre (ABN No 1716 9548 707) will endeavour to ensure that the speakers and content for this seminar proceed as advertised. However, unexpected circumstances may necessitate the utilisation of a replacement speaker(s). ANMF (Vic Branch) Education Centre disclaims any liability for any errors/omissions in terms of information provided at this educational event.
Refunds and cancellations
The decision to proceed with or reschedule a seminar is based on the number of participants registered, however if ANMF (Vic Branch) Education Centre cancels a session you will receive a full refund. If you cancel your registration the following will apply: a) Over 7 days notification, full refund (less 10% administrative fee) b) Less than 7 days notification no refund will apply
Australian
maternity
end of life care
organ donation Nurses & emergancy nursing Midwives leadership nurses
bullying
violence prevention Conference patient handling WWI
10 & 11 September
mental heal
agedremote carearea nurs up to 15 hours CPD union aid Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
ANMF member prices from $350
Save $60 by registering before 31 July
More information and registration at anmfvic.asn.au/events-and-conferences don’t miss Providing nursing care during the Ebola crisis in Sierra Leone
The Safe Ward concept adopted in the United Kingdom
Tracy Zordan, Registered Nurse
Mr Geo Brennan, RN, RPN, England, United Kingdom
Principal sponsor
The power of many: Managing health care aid after the Haiti Port-au-Prince earthquake Dr Marie Etienne, International Nursing Consultant for the National Nursing Committee of the American Red Cross.
Bronze sponsors