The Lamp August 2009

lamp the

magazine of the NSW Nurses’ Association

volume 66 no.7 August 2009

Nurses tell us

what they think Print Post Approved: PP241437/00033

New NSWNA social networking website

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About The Lamp

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Contacts NSW Nurses’ Association For all membership enquiries and assistance, including Lamp subscriptions and change of address, contact our Sydney office.

Sydney Office 43 Australia Street Camperdown NSW 2050 PO Box 40 Camperdown NSW 1450 (all correspondence) T 8595 1234 (metro) 1300 367 962 (non-metro) F 9550 3667 E gensec@nswnurses.asn.au W www.nswnurses.asn.au Hunter Office 120 Tudor Street Hamilton NSW 2303 Illawarra Office L1, 63 Market Street Wollongong NSW 2500

Cover story

lamp the

magazine of the NSW Nurses’ Association

volume 66 no.7 August 2009

Nurses tell us

what they thiNk Print Post Approved: PP241437/00033

New NSWNA social networking website

Nurses tell us what they think New NSWNA social networking website 10 Cover Ruth Guevarra, RN at Nepean Hospital Photography by Sharon Hickey

Special people

8 Acupuncture trial in ED 8 UK health worker dies treating swine flu 8 Maternity units axed during baby boom 8 Wagga Wagga hospital petition 8 Tax hits low-paid mums hardest 9 A passion for palliative care 9 Migrant nurse numbers soar 9 Minister sues hospital

37 Hooroo ... and hooray, Charles Linsell

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What’s on

NSWNA 64th annual conference 14 Because we care

Aged care 22 All aboard for aged care

Industrial issues 26 27 29 30

Battle over unreasonable hours Non-union deal voted down Nurses hit with 50% parking increase No redundancies without consultation, says NSWNA 31 McKesson nurses to form NSWNA branch

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NSWNA matters 38 NSWNA branch news

Lifestyle 40 Movie reviews

Regular columns 5

Editorial

by Brett Holmes 6 Your letters to The Lamp 35 Ask Judith 42 Books 44 Nursing online 45 Our nursing crossword 46 Diary dates

Competition 39 Win a rejuvenating spring escape to celebrate Floriade

Special offers 41 Win 25 double passes to Push and 10 double passes to The Girlfriend Experience

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The lamp produced by Lodestar Communications T 9560 1223 Press Releases Send your press releases to: T 9550 3667 E gensec@nswnurses.asn.au

News in brief

NSWNA education program

NSWNA communications manager Noel Hester T 8595 2153 NSWNA communications assistant Russell Burns T 8595 1219 For all Lamp editorial enquiries, letters and diary dates: Editorial Enquiries T 8595 1234 E lamp@nswnurses.asn.au M PO Box 40 Camperdown NSW 1450

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The Lamp Editorial Committee Brett Holmes, NSWNA General Secretary Judith Kiejda, NSWNA Assistant General Secretary Coral Levett, NSWNA President John Lyons, Baradine MPS Mark Kearin, Blacktown/ Mt Druitt Hospital Roz Norman, Tamworth Base Hospital Stephen Metcalfe, Lismore Base Hospital Peg Hibbert, Hornsby & Ku-Ring-Gai Hospital Michelle Cashman, Long Jetty Continuing Care Advertising Patricia Purcell T 8595 2139 or 0416 259 845 F 9550 3667 E ppurcell@nswnurses.asn.au Records and Information Centre – Library To find old articles in The Lamp, or to borrow from the NSWNA library’s nursing and health collection, contact: Jeannette Bromfield, RIC Coordinator T 8595 2175 E gensec@nswnurses.asn.au The lamp ISSN: 0047-3936 General disclaimer The Lamp is the official magazine of the NSWNA. Views expressed in articles are contributors’ own and not necessarily those of the NSWNA. Statements of fact are believed to be true, but no legal responsibility is accepted for them. All material appearing in The Lamp is covered by copyright and may not be reproduced without prior written permission. The NSWNA takes no responsibility for the advertising appearing herein and it does not necessarily endorse any products advertised.

Privacy Privacy statement: The NSWNA collects personal information from members in order to perform our role of representing their industrial and professional interests. We place great emphasis on maintaining and enhancing the privacy and security of your personal information. Personal information is protected under law and can only be released to someone else where the law requires or where you give permission. If you have concerns about your personal information please contact the NSWNA office. If you are still not satisfied that your privacy is being maintained you can contact the Privacy Commission.

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e d i t o r i A l

By BrETT HoLMEs gENERaL sECREtaRY

People, jobs, health should be Govt’s priority g We need a shift of mindset. State Government – no matter what party is in office – needs to be committed to world-class public services, including health.

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t’s clear we are going to face a battle over the next couple of years over the composition of the health system and the public service in general. this will be a battle between managerialism – with its short-term expediency manifesting itself in cost cutting – and a more visionary approach that will be cost effective but will maintain a world-class health system and public service for NsW. the signals coming from the NsW government have not been promising with staff freezes and public sector wage cuts floated as solutions to budgetary problems. at the coal face we also see worrying trends, with several area Health services offering voluntary redundancies to experienced nurses and a move to replace RNs with aiNs or other unregulated third level care workers. this flies in the face of the garling Inquiry’s recommendations, which clearly acknowledged the key role of experienced nurses in the system and how hard they work. garling was adamant that experienced nurses are crucial in the workforce and need to be recognised and adequately remunerated. He also said nurses’ skills could be more effectively used.

It is difficult to see how voluntary redundancies, which will increase workloads, reduce the skill level on wards and put more pressure on the nurses who remain, is consistent with garling’s recommendations. Experienced nurses, after all, have the most to gain by taking up voluntary redundancies.

There is an alternative to the discredited economic rationalism that has dominated our politics.

It requires a shift in mindset and involves putting people, jobs and the public good at the forefront of economic and social policy. similarly, replacing experienced nurses with third level workers is an ill conceived, short-term measure that will only exacerbate the problem.

Professor Mary Chiarella made the point in last month’s Lamp that it would be a false economy to introduce extra support staff

at the expense of RN numbers. adverse events cost much more money than extra RNs. this a truism that is self evident to clinicians if not to deficit daleks in the NsW treasury. a state election in NsW is now less than two years away.

No matter what party is in office, when they are faced with budgetary pressures, their kneejerk reaction is to make cuts to jobs and services. this is seen by government agencies and politicians as the only course of action. so a challenge for nurses is beginning to crystallise. state politicians of all political persuasions need to be reminded that dramatic reductions in staffing across public sector agencies are always counterproductive. there is an alternative to the tired and discredited economic rationalism that has dominated our politics for the past few decades. It requires a shift in mindset and involves putting people, jobs and the public good at the forefront of economic and social policy. the economies that have best weathered the global financial crisis are those that have invested in this way, including the australian economy. at the Federal level, we have seen some evidence of this shift in thinking, including in the area of health. this approach needs to filter down to the state level where it is ultimately implemented. We need to establish a public discourse where the state government – no matter what party is in office – is committed to world-class public services, including in health. the NsWNa intends to make a significant contribution to that discussion on behalf of NsW nurses.n THE LAMP august 2009 5

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letter of the month

l e t t e r s

Debra Robbs

Thanks from Wallsend Aged Care On behalf of the residents, families and staff of the Wallsend Aged Care Facility, I wish to thank Ronelle Kiernan, Nola Scilinato, Rita Martin, Brett Holmes and members of the NSWNA for their unwavering support during our ongoing campaign to save our facility from privatisation.

In addition, The Lamp, June edition, has provided us with wide coverage of the plight of our residents.

Our biggest concern is that the need to save money will override the community needs and be to the detriment of the highly-specialised care many of our residents currently rely on. Our fear pushes us to continue our fight to maintain this public nursing home in public hands.

We at Wallsend believe we provide an excellent model of care, which is at risk due to the State Government’s decision to transfer our beds to the profit and not-for-profit sector. Unfortunately, it will be our residents who will suffer because of this decision.

We are pleased and fully support the Association in highlighting the issues in aged care with your Because we care campaign.

Once again, thank you for your support.

Debra Robbs RN and President Wallsend Aged Care Facility

On the contrary, they are simply asking for a variation in roster practices, which are successfully in place across the state in many other health facilities, enabling nurses to have more days off by working 12-hour shifts instead of eight.

It is not just about what is good for nurses; it’s also about the mentally ill they care for. Currently, when in hospital, the clients have to endure three shift changes, equating to three teams of nurses caring for them in a 24-hour period.

The 12-hour shifts mean two changes – only two teams. It’s better for continuity of care, especially for the mentally ill, who are often confused and have poor memory.

In the current health environment, when health services are struggling to recruit and retain nurses, it would seem prudent for managers to look after the nurses in their service.

After all, as the ads say: ‘They look after us, Let’s look after them.’

Angela Pridham, Branch Secretary, Illawarra Mental Health Nurses Branch

Great TV ads Just wanted to say how great the new ads are on TV promoting nurses. It’s nice to see the new one with the community mental health nurse. The ads, for once, give me a little pride in being a midwife.

There is a bit more pride in wearing the blue NSW Health polo shirt. Well done on a good campaign. It is a good approach to promoting the profession. Look forward to seeing more of the same.

Julie Spring, NUM Cooma Hospital & Health Service

Correction Angela Pridham

12-hour shifts better for nurses, better for patients Months after Garling’s report concluded that our public health system is largely being sustained through the hard work and commitment of doctors and nurses, the culture of managers so widely criticised by Mr Garling is still rife in the Illawarra.

Nurses in the mental health unit are not asking for fewer working hours per week. They are not asking for more money.

They are not asking for anything that will adversely affect the Mental Health Service.

THE LAMP august 2009

Nursing Online, June Lamp (page 43), contained a report on an article from The Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing. The report incorrectly featured a photo of Elizabeth O’Brien, founder of the LEAD (Lead Education and Abatement Design) Group, instead of a photo of article co-author, Elizabeth O’Brien, CNC, Stroke Unit Nurse Coordinator, Royal North Shore Hospital (pictured).

The Lamp wishes to apologise to Elizabeth O’Brien for this error.

Amanda Mason-Jones

‘Eating alive’ nursing students is counter intuitive Filial cannibalism, the act of eating one’s offspring, baffles scientists. After all, if the goal of reproduction is to produce as many good-quality offspring as possible, it seems counter intuitive to destroy potential quality offspring.

My recent experience on a busy paediatric specialty ward has me similar­ ly baffled. It seems counter intuitive that a student nurse filled with promise and potential can be quelled, in the same manner that the potential offspring are destroyed when animals eat their young.

How very disappointing for the nursing profession that enthusiastic, keen and intelligent students can be ‘eaten alive’ on practical ward experience. Though I have had some wonderful clinical experiences through­ out my studies, this ward was stand-out awful! The RNs on this particular ward made absolutely no effort to include me or other students in any of the activities they were doing, responded to my ques­ tions with apathy or sarcasm, and made a good effort at ‘killing’ my drive and motivation. To what end, though? What did they hope to achieve by doing this?

We students are their future successors. It seems logical they would make an effort to pass on at least some of the knowledge that can help us ‘survive’ the world of nursing. But just as logic cannot be applied to the common practice of filial cannibalism; it cannot be applied to the sometime treatment of student nurses.

Amanda Mason-Jones, Associate NSWNA Member, final year nursing student

letter of the month

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Got something to say?

Send your letters to: Editorial Enquiries email lamp@nswnurses.asn.au fax 9550 3667 mail po Box 40 camperdown NSW 1450 please include a photograph along with your name, address, phone and membership number. letters may be edited for clarity and space.

Jen Smith

Concerned about positions lost at Maclean Nurses at Maclean Hospital risk losing a number of positions that will directly impact on our workload and how safe we feel in our workplace. this is part of an overall reduction of 400 full-time equivalent positions in the North Coast area Health service. However, the aHs says no jobs will be lost.

Like most small rural facilities, we are great at providing basic services on the smell of an oily rag.

We risk losing hours of a CNs position. as we all know, nurses work hard to gain expertise to gain these positions.

Not only is it degrading for the nurse concerned, who has worked hard to create and maintain that position, but it removes an important service from patients. this service is also used by our doctors, nurses and the community. this service also saves our hospital money, ie improved wound management = less cost.

We also risk losing some nonnursing positions, which we oppose due to the effect on nurses on the floor. One such position is our night duty, on-site security/cleaner/wardsman – replaced for on-call security only. this is significant for nurses working night duty. We have our fair share of drug- and alcohol-affected patients, mental health patients and wandering dementia patients and we all know how time consuming and aggressive all of these patients can be. then there are those who are very unwell and require the full attention of nurses.

We use our on-site person all the time to assist us with these difficult patients so we can care for everyone else in the hospital. Current experience shows that waiting for on-call security or police can be over 30 minutes – often it’s around 45 minutes to 1 hour. this depends where the on-call security are travelling from, which is always an issue in rural areas. the other potential position loss that we oppose is our EO/DON. this is to be co-managed from our nearby larger centre, grafton. these nurses not only have to carry out the reductions requested by the area but they also potentially lose their

own position. Our community and staff feel strongly that our hospital remains locally managed.

Our community organised a rally against these changes on saturday, June 27. the turn out was fantastic. It was supported by both Federal and local members of Parliament, the Mayor and the NsWNa (both our Organiser and acting assistant general secretary attended). all of these people were available to speak to anyone who had questions or concerns. a petition has been organised, which currently has over 7,000 signatures, and will be presented personally to the state Minister of Health. Our community is certainly doing their part to support their local hospital.

Our branch has unanimously voted to strongly oppose the position losses that will affect our hospital. We believe our small facility cannot afford to lose these positions. We understand that in these difficult financial times savings need to be made. But this manner of saving will only increase costs in the long-run to patients.

It does seem unusual that each facility is being treated in an identical manner and directed from an office that only sees our work and what we do from numbers on a computer screen.

Jen Smith, Secretary maclean hospital Branch

Keep specimens in place after completing my general nurses’ training at sydney Hospital in 1972, I recently returned there, for the first time, to attend an annual Post graduates Luncheon. the room was full of nurses mainly of groups earlier than ours and all the memories came flooding back, particularly when I did a tour of the Nightingale Wing at the Hospital, which is now a Museum. I absolutely loved it. this section of the hospital was where the Matron’s Office was, where we attended lectures, where the RN’s and nurses dormitories were, along with the nurse’s dining room. It is a whole building that stands alone on the grounds of the hospital set aside for the nurse’s use.

It was an era when you had six weeks of lectures and were then rostered onto the wards with the supervision of the tutors coming over to the wards to teach you procedures, then you went back to the ‘Block’ each six months for another round of lectures.

During our teaching sessions we were taken to other parts of the hospital that

CorrECTion July Lamp (page 15) contained an article by Mary Chiarella, Professor of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Sydney (pictured). The article’s byline incorrectly stated that Professor Chiarella worked at the University of Technology instead of the University of Sydney.

The article also featured an outdated photo of Professor Chiarella.

The Lamp wishes to apologise to Professor Chiarella and the University of Sydney for these errors.

were not the wards, eg the morgue, the pathology library. Both of these areas had a very profound and long-term effect, and it was an extremely good way of learning the anatomy and the effects of disease on the body.

When I saw the pathology library still intact and housed in the lecture room in the Nightingale Wing it was a tremendous thrill. I never forgot the lungs. there was the same specimen jar I had looked at when I was 18 years old and for 30 years I have kept that image in my mind.

What a lot of politics and rubbish to think these specimens should not be housed there, when they were such an important tool for our learning and this was where the lectures were held. the Nightingale Wing after all is now the hospital’s museum – common sense you would think, isn’t it?

Lynne Neems RN (Retired)

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THE LAMP august 2009 7

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Acupuncture

UK health worker dies Wagga Wagga treating swine flu hospital petition

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A British GP who contracted swine flu after caring for patients has died, according to the British Medical Association (BMA).

Dr Michael Day died on 11 July after suspicions he had contracted the H1N1 virus. A later swab test confirmed he was infected but the exact cause of death is still unknown.

The death prompted the World Health Organisation (WHO) to call an extraordinary meeting of the Strategic Advisory group of Experts on Immunization to discuss issues related to the pandemic. At the top of their list was protecting health workers, and WHO has recommended that all countries should immunise their health-care workers against swine flu to protect them from infection and maintain essential health infrastructure.

Dr Marie-Paule Kieny, WHO director of the Initiative for Vaccine Research, told BBC news that healthcare workers should be the main priority group for vaccination, to protect them from the risk of infection, and to ensure they could continue to treat patients with a range of illnesses.

trial in ED cupuncture will be trialled in emergency departments in Victorian Hospitals as a means of lowering pain levels in patients.

The National Health and Medical Research Council has granted more than $400,000 for a three-year clinical trial.

The Age newspaper reported that during the trial 400 people will receive drug therapy, acupuncture or both to treat acute migraine, back pain and ankle injuries.

A pilot program follows a pilot project run at a busy Victorian public hospital, the Northern Hospital in Epping, which showed promising results in managing patients’ pain and nausea.

The emergency department acupuncture trials will employ traditional Chinese medicine practitioners to work in emergency – a first for the Western world, lead researcher Professor Marc Cohen from the School of Complementary Medicine at RMIT, told The Age. He said that unlike other alternative therapies, there is increasing sound scientific evidence for the use of acupuncture.

‘It is very well accepted that pain is treated very badly in emergency departments, yet pain is the most common reason for people presenting to emergency,’ he said.

The pain levels of patients will be monitored every hour until they leave hospital, and for several days afterwards, to see which type of treatment was most effective.

The first medical acupuncture clinic linked to a public hospital in NSW opened in 2006 at Balmain Hospital. At the Balmain acupuncture clinic patients are treated for a range of ailments including pain conditions such as arthritis, sports injuries, mechanical back pain and nonpain conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, depression and sleep disturbances.

THE LAMP august 2009

Maternity units axed during baby boom Australia has lost a sixth of its public hospital maternity wards over the past decade – despite rising fertility rates and population growth.

The number of obstetric and maternity services offered by government acute care hospitals dropped from 298 in 2000–2001 to 248 in 2007–2008.

Neonatal intensive care and specialist paediatric services also became scarcer in the public sector, according to data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

The Institute’s figures show the bush suffered the steepest decline in maternity services.

A member of the Maternity Coalition executive, Justine Caines, told The Australian newspaper that state health services had been too quick to use obstetrician shortages as an excuse to abandon rural maternity units.

She said midwives could provide subs­ titute services if current rules were relaxed.

Despite more than 10,000 Riverina residents signing a petition calling on the NSW Government to provide funding to upgrade Wagga Base Hospital, the project was not included in either the Federal or State budgets this year.

Cardiologist Dr Gerard Carroll said staff morale would drop, positions would be hard to fill and lives would be put at risk if the hospital upgrade was further delayed.

NSW Minister for Health, John Della Bosca, said Wagga Wagga would get a new hospital as soon as funds were available.

He said the Government was building six hospitals around the state and state re­ve­nues had been affected by the global downturn.

‘I’ve asked the Department of Health to look again at all of the options including again the public-private partnership,’ he told ABC Radio.

Tax hits low-paid mums hardest Working mothers on low and middle wages are paying the most tax per dollar of income earned because of the complicated interaction between income tax and family payments, says a University of Sydney economist.

Professor of Public Economics Patricia Apps said the tax and payments system was so discriminatory that ‘the puzzle is why so many women work’.

‘If a father of a family with two young children is on $40,000 and the mother goes out to work and earns around $20,000, she can lose over 40% of her income in taxes and lost benefits,’ Professor Apps told the Sydney Morning Herald.

She said mothers who worked part-time were hit especially hard by income tax rates combined with loss of family payments.

For example, a woman working parttime and earning $14,001 to $22,995 pays 56.5 cents tax for every dollar she earns, or 8.5 cents per dollar less than the top marginal tax rate of 45 cents.

Professor Apps said the Federal Govern­ment should make family payments uni­versal and tax high-income earners at a higher rate.

Photo courtesy Port Macquarie News

Debbie White (pictured at right) with Pauline Gillan, CNC, one of the NCAHS palliative care team who nominated Debbie for the Palliative Care NSW ‘Quiet Achiever’ award.

s Legal & Professional Issues for Nurses 17 August, Camperdown, H day 2 October, Dubbo, H day 30 October, Batemans Bay, H day 6 November, Westmead, H day Topics covered include the Nurses and Midwives Act 1991, potential liability, do­cumentation, role of disciplinary tri­bunals including the NMB, writing statements.

Members $39 Non-members $85

A passion for palliative care

Migrant nurse numbers soar

Palliative care nurse Debbie White has spent 20 years helping patients and their families deal with life-limiting illness.

Debbie’s skill and efforts in helping people during what is often their most difficult and distressing time were recognised at the 2009 Inaugural Palliative Care NSW Gala Awards in Sydney.

Attending the awards night, the Port Macquarie–based clinical nurse consultant (CNC) was unaware her colleagues from North Coast Area Health Service’s palliative care team had nominated her for an award.

‘I was totally overwhelmed to be nominated for the Quiet Achiever Award,’ Debbie said. ‘And when I won I was very surprised and honoured.’

Palliative Care NSW said Debbie merit­ ed the award due to her ‘extensive cli­ni­cal knowledge coupled with a passion for pallia­ tive care, which reflects varied experience both in Australia and in England.’

Her colleagues who put her name forward her describe her as ‘unassuming, warm and devoted.’

Debbie’s palliative care experience in­cludes stints at Sacred Heart Hospice in Sydney and St Christopher’s Hospice in London, an institution world renowned for its pioneering work in the field of palliative medicine.

She came to palliative care from midwifery and says there are strong parallels between the two. ‘In both fields nurses can form very strong bonds with patients and their families, ’ Debbie says.

‘I truly love working in palliative care and am extremely passionate about it.

‘A palliative care nurse needs a high degree of empathy and maturity to care for someone with a terminal illness. If you can help at the end of someone’s life, and comfort the family and the person, it is a really satisfying experience.’

The number of nurses coming to work in Australia on temporary visas has surged, despite an overall collapse in the use of ‘guest labour’.

From July 2008 to May this year, 3580 registered nurses were brought in on temporary skilled migrant visas, known as Section 457 visas.

That number represents a 20% in­crease over the same period in the previous year.

The use of 457 visas in all occupational categories fell 9.9% in the same period. Major categories such as computer professionals were down 20% and ‘general medical professionals’ fell by nearly 11%.

Health care has long been a major user of the 457 scheme, which allows employers to bring in workers for up to four years.

Migration Agent Michael Bonney told the Australian Financial Review there is a ‘very strong demand’ from clients seeking to sponsor nurses to come to Australia He said Australian employers face tough competition from Europe, the United States and Canada, which are all competing to recruit nurses from overseas.

s Basic Foot Care for RNs & ENs 17 & 18 August, Coraki, 2 days 15 & 16 October, Camperdown, 2 days A VETAB accredited course that aims to provide nurses with the competence to provide basic foot care.

Members $203 Non-members $350

Minister sues hospital

s Policy & Guideline Writing 11 September, Camperdown, 1 day Seminar is suitable for all nurses.

Members $85 Non-members $170

NSW Community Services Minister Linda Burney is suing one of her Government’s own departments over her husband’s death at Balmain Hospital in 2006.

Ms Burney has launched a medical negligence claim against the Sydney South West Area Health Service.

Her husband Rick Farley died after his wheelchair ran down a ramp at the hos­pi­tal and he spilled out. He had been under­going rehabilitation for a brain aneurism.

s Aged Care Nurses Forum 24 August, Camperdown, 1 day Seminar is suitable for all nurses.

Members $30 • Non-members $50 s Basic Foot Care for AiNs 9 September, Grafton, 1 day This course aims to provide AiNs with the competence to provide basic foot care.

Members $85 Non-members $150 s Computer Essentials for Nurses 4 August, Concord, 1 day 27 October, Concord, 1 day Seminar is suitable for all nurses.

Members $85 Non-members $170

s Review & Implementation of Guidelines & Policies 6 November, Camperdown, 1 day Seminar is suitable for all nurses.

Members $85 Non-members $170

TO REGISTER or for more information go to www.nswnurses.asn.au or ring THE LAMP august 2009 Carolyn Kulling on 1300 367 962

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Nurses, tell us what g Nurse Uncut is an initiative from the NSWNA that provides nurses with their own space in the Australian social media world.

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ocial networking websites like Facebook and twitter can evoke passion or derision, according to individual taste. the detractors could say they are stupid and why would anyone be interested in another person’s random thoughts? supporters would say they are another way to start a conversation and enable you to make choices that suit you. general secretary Brett Holmes says there are many nurses who enjoy and use social networking sites and

who would appreciate an online space dedicated to them. ‘that is why we have launched our own interactive site called Nurse uncut,’ he said.

Brett says Nurse uncut has been created to provide a platform for nurses to share their stories, experiences and opinions on topics that are close to their heart.

He says the site has also been created for the wider community to share their stories and experiences working with nurses and provide them with an opportunity to show their support for nurses. ‘this is an initiative we are very

you think excited about. social networking is a very popular phenomenon and we want nurses to have their own space to talk about their issues and passions and to share experiences and advice. We are proud to sponsor it,’ he said.

‘We don’t expect it to be just about union issues, health policy or other equally serious matters, although they are legitimate issues for nurses to talk about and members should feel free to do so!

‘We also want it to be about more personal conversations – general chat or sharing information about work or professional issues or advice on how to

navigate through life. a popular topic on the forum at the moment is finding old classmates the nurses have trained with.’

Nurse uncut also has a page on twitter and Facebook to attract nurses on other social networks to this more nursecentric site.

Nurse uncut has engaged a small group of nurses to contribute blog posts to the site’s group blog for the first three months. Other nurses will then have the opportunity to take their place. at all times the site provides ample opportunities for other nurses to set up a forum about issues they are passionate

about and to stimulate conversations with other nurses.

Richard Williams, an RN at Bathurst Base Hospital, is one of Nurse uncut’s pioneer bloggers and is full of enthusiasm for the concept.

‘I hear a lot of people bagging out social networks as a waste of time but if goals focused it can be an easy way to share information, ideas, research findings, trivia and humour. the advent of web 2.0 can help to make our social networks as nurses more dynamic, social, educational and even fun, and as nurses we all could do with more fun,’ he writes in his first blog.n

Nurse Uncut pioneer bloggers linda Hardman, Fran chavasse and Ruth Guevarra THE LAMP august 2009 11

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Meet our Nurse Uncut Linda uses Facebook to organise her branch Linda Hardman, an AiN at Wollongong Nursing Home, says she joined Facebook when she realised many of her colleagues at work were on the popular social media website and immediately she saw the possibilities of how it could help her as a branch official.

‘It seemed interesting and a good way to keep in touch and a good way to get the branch’s news out,’ she said.

‘It is a good way to remind people about meetings or to sign a petition about the Because we care campaign. It’s a non-threatening way of getting information out. It’s not so in your face.’

Linda says members can use Facebook to say what is on their mind and give feedback to her as a Branch Official.

‘We have 52 members in our branch and it’s fairly active.

At least 25 are on Facebook and they are in all sorts of age groups, not just old chooks like me. For younger members, it is an example that the union is prepared to use technology and run with it.

‘This is a way of getting the message out, promoting the NSWNA and promoting aged care. Networking can be hard in aged care. This can be a way of overcoming people’s fears.’

Linda says she is rapt to be involved on Nurse Uncut as one of its inaugural bloggers.

‘I think Nurse Uncut is a great initiative. It shows the NSWNA is up to speed and prepared to take a chance.

It hasn’t been tried before by unions and is an example for other unions. It’s not going to be completely serious and shouldn’t be.

We can say to our friends and colleagues that the union is doing something outside the square.

‘It’s an opportunity if you want to know something or just have a say.

So give it a go!’

‘It is a good way to remind people about meetings or to sign a petition about the Because we care campaign.

It’s a non-threatening way of getting information out. It’s not so in your face.’

12 THE LAMP august 2009

Fran shares her eventful journey In her first blog post on Nurse Uncut, Fran Chavasse RN, Royal Far West, shared her eventful journey from the beginning of her nursing career.

‘On Australia Day 1975, I found myself at the old Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children with 60 other 17 year olds, dressed in a starchy blue and white striped uniform, ugly brown Hall shoes and a marvellous fob watch ready to start a job that was intended to hold me in good stead until I was married to a “good” man who would look after me,’ she wrote.

‘Nursing captured and inspired me in 1975; I have loved it and hated it ever since, but I have never left it.’

Fran Chavasse says one of the reasons she got involved with the Nurse Uncut project is to encourage nurses like her to get online ‘Nurses my age are not web savvy but they have to share their knowledge,’ she said.

Fran says she gets a lot of personal development out of her online experience.

‘I’m interested in anything that allows me to observe people and their interactions. As a mental health trained nurse, one thing you learn is observation. It gives clues into how people operate. I like social networking because it builds my knowledge of people.

‘Also I love to write. It is something I feel comfortable with.

I like to say what I think. I like to throw something out there and say “Think about it!”.

‘I think Nurse Uncut is great. I feel privileged to be a part of it. Not everyone has that old school ‘militant’ notion of a union.

Most nurses want to stay in the middle of the road. So this provides an opportunity for nurses who wouldn’t normally go to a union meeting or take an action. It will appeal to those who want to have a say in a safe venue and where they feel anonymous. No one will point a finger at them and they will still have a voice.’

‘Nurses my age are not web savvy but they have to share their knowledge.’

pioneers Nurse Uncut gives Ruth new voice Ruth Guevarra, RN at Nepean Hospital, challenges the conventional wisdom that it is young people who naturally embrace online technology and older people who don’t.

‘I’m kind of old fashioned. I didn’t care about trends on the internet but getting involved with Nurse uncut has opened up a new world to me. It’s made a difference to me as a person. Now I’m on Facebook, twitter and skype. It made me realise there is a world out there I didn’t know about and where you can have fun.’

Ruth says her contribution to Nurse uncut’s group blog suits her as a vehicle for self expression.

‘Writing is my way of conveying my feelings to other people. I’m not really a talker. I’m a better singer than a talker so my way of communicating, apart from singing, is writing.

On my blog I can share my inner feelings about things, especially nursing. I have this love of nursing. I love the connection with patients and my colleagues.’

‘Nurse uncut is a good way to give a voice to nurses. It’s an amazing site. It’s a good way for nurses to interact with each other. It’s a different way of interacting. Being a nurse is not just about working in hospitals. Nurses have a life too. It is an opportunity for nurses to stop being invisible and gives the public the chance to see what nurses are like.’

Ruth says she has benefited greatly from being in the NsWNa and she wants to share that experience with her peers.

‘I want to write about the benefits of joining the union. I have close friends who have been nursing for a while but don’t have an understanding of what becoming a union member would be like.’

‘Nurse Uncut is a good way to give a voice to nurses. It’s an amazing site. It’s a good way for nurses to interact with each other.’

Where to find Nurse Uncut and how to get involved Visit Nurse Uncut at: www.nurseuncut.com.au Nurse Uncut is also present on Facebook and Twitter so you can join us on whatever social networking site you are comfortable with.

On Facebook: www.facebook.com/group. php?gid=102428560868 On Twitter: http://twitter.com/nurseuncut

Translating the online hieroglyphics Not everyone was born with a play station console in their hands. Here is a brief explanation of some important online terms: c Social Networking: online communities that bring individuals together who share common interests. c Blog: an article published on the internet. Blogs cover all sorts of topics, from politics to technical discussions to personal journals. c Microblogging: a form of blogging involving very short messages that can provide people with instantaneous updates. c Twitter: is the most popular form of microblogging. It is a service that lets you send a 140-character message, or ‘tweet’, to a site where anyone can read it, though it will only be sent directly to those who have chosen to ‘follow’ you. If you want, you can pick and choose who you allow to follow you. c Web 2.0: refers to the evolution of websites from simple information resources to interactive sites that offer usergenerated content and online sharing by users.

Join Nurse Uncut and win credibility and prizes There are many benefits to signing up to be a Nurse Uncut member: you connect with our burgeoning online nursing community, you have ammo against the kids if they call you prehistoric and sad, and last but not least you become eligible to win some fabulous prizes.

Early birds to the site were eligible to win passes to Mamma Mia! with 2 nights’ accommodation in the York apartments, or iPods. Over the next few months we will be offering similar prizes. So be in to win and register at www.nurseuncut. com.au/pages/register.aspx.

THE LAMP august 2009 13

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nswnA 64 th AnnuAl conference

because we care

64

th

Annual Conference

g Because we care was the theme of this year’s NSWNA Annual Conference – a theme that reflects our commitment to the highest levels of professionalism and care, and underpins NSWNA campaigns over the past year. At the 64th Annual Conference, delegates passed a motion to launch the Right Nurse campaign to fight against threats to patient safety posed by the State Government’s proposal to cut RN positions and introduce unlicensed workers to public hospitals.

Because we care, we stand up for patients rEPorT FroM THE nsWnA GEnErAL sECrETAry BrETT HoLMEs

NSWNA General Secretary Brett Holmes

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sWNa general secretary Brett Holmes opened his address to the 64th NsWNa annual Conference by reminding delegates of the key role of the NsWNa in standing up to state and Federal governments and advocating for our patients and residents. ‘they may not like it but we do it because we care about health care,’ he said.

‘We do it because we want to make the health system better for nurses and their patients. sometimes we need to be forthright when the system is wrong.’

14 THE LAMP august 2009

Because we care: it’s a commitment that has driven NsWNa industrial campaigns over 2008/2009, which have won better pay, better conditions, and better job security for NsWNa members in all nursing sectors.

It’s a commitment that has seen the NsWNa join with the aNF to develop a major national campaign, Because we care, to put aged care high on the political and national agenda. ‘We are committed to making a real change in aged care. We will not stop until we get improvements that enable a sustainable system,’ Brett told conference delegates.

It’s a commitment that motivated the development of tV ads promoting the professional and private roles of nurses.

Delegates were treated to the inaugural screening of the third tV ad, which promotes the role of aged care nurses. ‘the idea for these highly successful ads came from our membership.

‘Valuing nurses for their professionalism, and viewing them as real people with personal lives and families, the public will be more supportive when we run our next pay campaign,’ said Brett.

‘Nurse uncut – our new social networking website – is another way we have been reaching out and connecting with members and the general community.’

Brett Holmes told conference delegates of the association’s deep concern with the state government’s proposal to introduce unlicenced workers to public hospitals. ‘at the same time, three area Health services are offering redundancies to experienced RNs.’ Brett put forward a motion to launch the Right Nurse campaign to fight against the replacement of RN hours with unlicenced aiNs.n

because we care

‘We stand up to Government because we want to make the health system better for nurses and their patients.

Sometimes we need to be forthright when the system is wrong.’ NSWNA General Secretary Brett Holmes

NSWA General Secretary Brett Holmes, President Coral Levett and Assistant General Secretary Judith Kiejda

ANF Federal Secretary Ged Kearney

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nswnA 64 th AnnuAl conference

64

th

because we care

Annual Conference

NSWNA Assistant General Secretary Judith Kiejda NSW Health Minister John Della Bosca

Della Bosca

defends Government, commends nurses g In his first address to the NSWNA Annual Conference as NSW Minister for Health, the Hon. John Della Bosca acknowledged the great contribution of nurses to the NSW Health System.

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s reported by Commissioner garling, the NsW Health system is one of the best in the world and one of the reasons for this is its ability to recruit outstanding health workers,' said Minister Della Bosca. the Minister thanked delegates for ‘copping the extra pressure of swine flu’.

‘It makes an already tough job even more difficult.’

On the contentious topic of introducing aiNs to primary care, the Minister said, ‘We need to make sure that this new role is implemented safely and with the right skill mix. ‘area Health services must constantly make adjustments. at times, this may mean … voluntary redundancies. I accept it sometimes results in difficult choices. ‘the reality is that every area of 16 THE LAMP august 2009

hospital activity is under scrutiny so we can pay our bills. the status quo is not sustainable in the face of rising demand, an ageing population and a limited budget.’ the Health Minister faced hardhitting questions by delegates on the proposal to introduce aiNs to primary care.

‘I can assure you that as a Labor Minister I will continue to talk to the union as we search for solutions. We have always been able to work things out before and we will again,’ said Minister Della Bosca. the Minister was also questioned by delegates on a range of other issues including the North Coast aHs restructure. Delegates asked for a commitment that aHs CEO Chris Crawford would engage in consultation with nurses.n

KEEpiNG Up THE pRESSURE FoR WoRlDclASS pUBlic SERvicES

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n her address to Annual Conference, NSWNA Assistant General Secretary Judith Kiejda informed delegates about the work of the Public Service International (PSI) – a global union federation for public service unions.

PSI has 650 affiliated trade unions, including the NSWNA, from 150 countries, and represents 20 million workers.

PSI works with affiliated unions to protect and extend the rights of public sector workers.

Judith said the NSWNA has been involved in a migrant health worker campaign by PSI Oceania Sub Region to protect migrant health workers.

‘I will continue to talk to the Union as we search for solutions.

We have always been able to work things out before and we will again.’

because we care

The right nurse, in the right place, at the right time g Delegates rally to maintain qualified nurses.

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or the first time in its history, NSWNA adjourned Annual Conference on 30 July and held a protest rally outside the State Ministerial offices in Sydney and launched the Right Nurse campaign.

More than 400 delegates rallied against State Government plans to replace Registered Nurses and Registered Nurse hours in NSW public hospitals and community health services with unlicensed Assistants in Nursing.

General Secretary Brett Holmes addressed the rally: ‘We are here to alert the public and politicians of our deep concerns about patient safety posed by the Government’s approach to cut costs by introducing unlicenced workers.

‘AiNs make valuable contributions to the health system, but we will not stand for AiNs being used to substitute

Liz McCall, Nursing Unit Manager Byron Bay

‘I know the skill mix I need for patient safety.

Minister Della Bosca doesn’t know.’

RN hours. We will not stand for the Government threatening patient safety with budget cuts.’

‘The NSWNA calls on the Government to consult with clinical nurse managers on decisions about skill mix and nursing staff, rather than leaving these decisions to the bean counters.

‘Numerous international studies have proven that decreased RN hours leads to deteriorating patient outcomes. AiNs should not be put in the position where they have blood on their hands because they were given responsibilities beyond their training,’ said Brett.

NSWNA Assistant General Secretary Judith Kiejda told the rally: ‘Nurses and midwives are the most honest profession.

Who has more credibility – nurses or politicians? The public will believe us that our opposition to this proposal is in the interests of patient safety.

‘Where is the logic in the proposal to replace RNs? It is the logic of bean counters.’n THE LAMP august 2009 17

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nswnA 64 th AnnuAl conference

64

th

because we care

Annual Conference

Masquerading nurses g Delegates came masked and full of mystique to the Annual Conference dinner for a night of dancing, fine food and wine and catching up with other delegates across NSW.

With a Meal Entertainment Card, savings are always on the menu.

Brett Holmes dodges the Seven Deadly Sins.

Here’s some food for thought. With a Westpac Meal Entertainment Card, you can make more of your hard-earned money.

As an employee of a Public Benevolent Institution (PBI) like the aged care industry, public hospitals and charity organisations, you’re in a unique position, because the Government allows you to take a part of your income as tax-free benefits.

So, instead of taking all your salary in cash, you can use your Meal Entertainment Card to pay for meal entertainment expenses on a tax-free or reduced tax basis. And the more tax you save means the more you have in your pocket.

How does it work?

It’s not some sort of tax loophole, it’s a special set of rules for a special industry. To take advantage of the savings, you need to have a salary sacrifice agreement with your employer. Then, once you’ve applied for your Meal Entertainment Card, your employer deposits the amount you’ve agreed on into your account. After that, you will receive a specific Visa card that you can start using to pay for meal entertainment expenses.

As with any Visa card, you receive a monthly statement so you can keep tabs on your spending. The other advantage is that you don’t have to hang onto receipts and paperwork and apply for reimbursements. It’s a simpler system.

Like any Visa card, it can be used anywhere in the world to pay for everyday expenses, wherever Visa is accepted.

Current at August 2009

If you’re hungry for more information, just visit our website at: www.employeebenefitscard.com.au

PBI Benefit Solutions Pty Ltd Suite 406, 152 Bunnerong Road, Eastgardens, NSW 2036, (02) 9314 0288 Level 9, ‘Seabank Building’, 18 THE LAMP august 2009 12-14 Marine Parade, Southport, Qld 4215, (07) 5519 1904 Email: pbi@remuneration.com.au Web: www.employeebenefi tscard.com.au

PBI

Public Benevolent Institution Solutions

because we care

i spy Judith Kiejda, coral levett and Brett Holmes.

En guard! Musketeers from casino private Hospital.

k o o L who masqueraded as a nurse at this year’s conference dinner.

Michael Jackson lives on.

Will the real Brett Holmes please stand up.

THE LAMP august 2009 19

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NSWNA 64 th annual conference

because we care

ANF Secretary Ged Kearney (left) asked Minister for Ageing Justine Elliot to consider aged care in the Federal Budget 2010.

Putting pressure on PMs for aged care g ANF and NSWNA delegates visited the National ALP Conference and offered conference delegates free blood pressure tests to raise awareness of the Because we care campaign.

20 THE LAMP august 2009

Deputy PM Julia Gillard takes a campaign postcard.

Minister for Corrective Services John Robertson.

Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science Greg Combet.

Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Chris Evans.

elegates were asked to sign postcards to their local MP, asking them to deliver for aged care in the 2010 Federal Budget.

NSWNA Assistant General Secretary Judith Kiejda said the ANF and NSWNA want to make sure that Budget 2010

focuses on the aged care industry and older Australians who need and deserve quality care.

‘We’re asking that Ministers Roxon and Elliot commit to better funding for safe staffing and quality care for older Australians in the next Federal Budget.’

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because we care

Professional Issues Conference g The NSWNA invited a diverse and inspirational group of speakers from nursing and nonnursing backgrounds to talk at the 2009 NSWNA Professional Issues Conference about how nursing care can evolve and excel. Here are some highlights:

pat Staunton

Debra Thoms

Sabina Knight

Tip toeing through the legal minefield

Patient-centred models of care

nurse input to the national Health and Hospitals reform Commission

Pat staunton, former general secretary of the NsWNa, navigated through the tricky waters and reefs of nurses’ legal responsibilities in the delivery of care.

Pat outlined how the legal terrain for nurses had been changed by the introduction of the Civil Liability act 2002. there were, she pointed out, some crucial things to take on board when delivering care: • adopt safe habits: if in doubt learn to question and articulate your concerns and record them; • Document contemporaneously; • Follow your clinical protocols.

Pat said that although it was a natural reflex not to admit to mistakes because of the fear of legal liability, doing so often defused the situation.

‘People are understanding if you are transparent and honest with them.’

Debra thoms, NsW Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer, spoke about NsW Health’s Essentials of Care (EOC) Project, which seeks to develop a patient-centred clinical environment. the program aims to enhance patient-centred care and will result in better patient outcomes, said Debra. the program will be implemented across area Health services (aHs) in NsW over the next two years.

Nurses will be engaged in all aspects of the program. this will lead to higher levels of ownership and satisfaction, better work environments, and ability to deliver good, safe care.

sabina Knight, Professor of Remote Health Practice at Flinders university and Nurse Commissioner on the Rudd government’s National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission, also spoke about the Health Commission’s findings and recommendations and what they mean for the future of professional nursing care. the september issue of The Lamp will provide an in-depth report on the Health Commission’s findings and recommendations.

‘people are understanding if you are transparent and honest with them.’

THE LAMP august 2009 1

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a g e d c a r e

All aboard for aged care g The NSWNA and ANF have been busy taking the Because we care campaign far and wide to nurses at work, residents and their families at aged care facilities, the general community, local MPs, and the Federal Minister for Ageing Justine Elliot.

New Because we care van Coming to aged care facilities across NSW

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he NSWNA has been visiting aged care members at their workplaces in a bright new Because we care van, which proudly sports the campaign branding.

On 17 July, the NSWNA and The Lamp visited nurses at the Sir Thomas Mitchell Nursing Home in Illawong.

Over yummy pizza and refreshments, nurses shared their experiences of aged care and support for the campaign, reiterating the need for more Federal funding and accountability to ensure quality care for residents.

22 THE LAMP august 2009

Rachel Ellender, DON at Sir Thomas Mitchell Nursing Home, said retention and recruitment of nursing was one of the biggest challenges in aged care.

‘The campaign is calling for more Federal Government funding for aged care that is directly linked to care of residents.

Residents will benefit and this will help improve pay and conditions for aged care nurses and make aged care a more attractive career option for nurses,’ she said.

‘The campaign gives politicians and the Government a strong message that nurses and the community care about aged care,’ she said.n

Michaela Hawa Bundu AiN, Hannah Kparka AiN, and Elizabeth Kamanda AiN signed the Charter for Quality Aged Care and showed their support for the Because we care campaign.

Welcome to our newest members

Elizabeth Kamanda signing up as a NSWNA member Lyn Linden, DDON, Rumbidzai Mutsiwa, RN, and Rachael Ellender, DON, at Sir Thomas Mitchell Nursing Home.

The NSWNA welcomes one of our newest members, Elizabeth Kamanda, AiN. Elizabeth joined the Association during a workplace visit to Sir Thomas Mitchell Nursing Home.

Nurses at Sir Thomas Mitchell Nursing Home enjoyed pizza and signed the aged care charter.

THE LAMP august 2009 23

Win a fabulous 3-day luxury retreat

to the Hunter Valley Start paying your NSWNA fees by Direct Debit for the chance to win a three-day, luxury retreat at Parrot Stump Farm in the Hunter Valley. Just 2 hours drive from Sydney, Parrot Stump Farm in the foothills of the Lovedale area offers luxury, self-contained accommodation in a country home set in 12 hectares of vineyards and landscaped gardens with its own on-site cellar door.

Our lucky Direct Debit winner and a friend will enjoy three nights’ mid week, luxury, country-home accommodation at the Parrot Stump Farm at Lovedale; three-course dinner and bottle of wine at Mojo’s on Wilderness Restaurant; two-course lunch and bottle of wine at Leaves and Fishes restaurant; massage; wine tasting on site; cheese platter; and a tasting pack of Midnight’s Promise wines.

Here’s how you can win • cancel your payroll deductions and start paying your fees through direct debit and you will go in the lucky draw and/or • convince your colleagues to convert from payroll deductions to direct debit and you, and each of your colleagues who switch to direct debit, will go in the lucky draw and/or • sign up a new member using the direct debit method of paying their fees and you, and the new member, will go in the lucky draw.

Photo courtesy of: Anson Smart/Tourism NSW

Direct debit is not only the easiest and most convenient way to pay your membership, but switching over could win you a luxury holiday! Don’t risk your membership lapsing from changing workplaces. With direct debit you are always protected on the job. Membership Application forms or Direct Debit forms can be downloaded from our website www.nswnurses.asn.au 24 THE LAMP august 2009 Alternatively call the NSWNA on 8595 1234 (metro area) or 1300 367 962 (non-metro area) for more information.

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other ways you can show your support

A g e d c A r e

EMAiL THE FEdErAL MinisTEr For AGEinG

Take a few moments to email Health Minister Justine Elliot and tell her you care about aged care.

Minister for Ageing Justine Elliot needs to know that hundreds of thousands of Australians want quality aged care for older Australians and support aged care nurses.

To send her an email, visit www.becausewecare.org.au

WriTE To your FEdErAL MP Another way to show your support is by writing to your Federal MP asking that taxpayer funding be used for nursing and personal care for each resident. Visit www.becausewecare.org.au for your MP’s name and how to send them a letter.

HAnd ouT CAMPAiGn BroCHurEs To your CoMMuniTy

The NSWNA has developed Because we care brochures to explain the campaign to the community. Phone the Association on 1300 367 962 for brochures.

Sign the Charter for Aged Care –

It’s easy

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igning the Charter for Quality aged Care is easy – just ask Rumbidzai Mutsiwa RN. During her lunch break, Rumbidzai took a few moments to go online and signed the Charter, showing her support for the Because we care campaign.

Rumbidzai joined more than 11,000 other australians who have signed the Charter – sending a clear message to the Minister for ageing Justine Elliot and the Federal government that we want action and funding for quality aged care. the Charter for Quality aged Care explains the four aims of the Because we

care campaign that are essential to quality aged care: a. the right balance of skills and nursing hours so that nursing and care staff can provide quality care for every resident. b. Fair pay for aged care nurses and care staff. c. Recognition of the professional skills of assistants in Nursing and care staff. d. a guarantee that taxpayer funding is used for nursing and personal care for each resident.

You can find the Charter on the campaign website: www.becausewecare.org.aun

More information about the Because we care campaign VisiT THE WEBsiTE

www.becausewecare.org.au The website will tell you more about the campaign and keep you fully updated on news and events. You can read stories from aged care nurses and care staff, read messages of support for the campaign from nurses and members of the Australian community, find out how to pressure the Federal Government to prioritise aged care, and send messages of support to dedicated aged care nurses.

nsW nursEs’ AssoCiATion

You can also phone the NSWNA on 1300 367 962, or email gensec@nswnurses. asn.au for more information.

THE LAMP august 2009 5

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i n d u s t r i a l i s s u e s

Battle over unreasonable hours g Nurses restrict overtime in 12–hour shift campaign.

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n Industrial Relations Commissioner has declined to take action to prevent a group of South Coast nurses placing limits on overtime.

The NSW Nurses’ Association Illawarra Mental Health Nurses’ branch resolved not to work more than four hours overtime before or after an 8–hour shift, unless required by exceptional circumstances.

The South Eastern Sydney and Illawarra Area Health Service took the NSWNA to the Commission seeking an order against overtime restrictions at Eloura West mental health unit at Shellharbour Hospital.

Commissioner Donna McKenna said the public health system award provided for the working of reasonable overtime.

‘If time is being worked in excess of four hours before or after a shift, it certainly seems to me to be getting into the territory of unreasonable overtime,’ she said.

NSWNA General Secretary Brett Holmes said the Commissioner’s comments reinforced nurses’ right to reasonable workloads including reasonable overtime.

The Illawarra Mental Health Nurses’ branch imposed overtime restrictions and banned some data entry following management’s repeated refusal to trial a 12-hour roster (the data entry bans were lifted before the Commission hearing).

Branch delegate Glenn Hayes said nurses believed 12-hour shifts would reduce the number of 16-hour double shifts being worked in ‘a very stressful high dependency ward’.

‘A maximum 12–hour shift would be better for health and safety, reduce absenteeism and give us a better work/ life balance by having more days off to meet family commitments,’ Glenn said.

He said patients would also benefit from greater staff continuity.

‘We have people waiting to join the unit and asking if 12-hour shifts have started yet.’

Glenn Hayes

‘Patients have short lengths of stay – three days on average – before they are well enough to be moved to acute units. Being there for 12 hours would give us more time with clients to resolve their issues.

26 THE LAMP august 2009

‘It would seem to be a win for everybody – the patients, us, and the Department – so we don’t understand their unwillingness to even consider a trial.’

Commissioner McKenna also questioned management’s hardline stand, asking: ‘What harm would there be in conducting a trial? You’ve expressed concerns that it would be difficult for logistical reasons and there would be continuity of care issues and matters of that nature, but would those matters not be either highlighted or fall away if a trial was conducted?

‘It may well be that your concerns are well founded, but in the absence of a trial being conducted, how can we know?’

The Department’s representative at the Commission replied that ‘clinical experts’ had advised that trialling a 12hour roster would be too disruptive to vulnerable patients.

Glenn Hayes questioned whether senior clinicians from acute units were even consulted, and asked: ‘How do other units with 12-hour shifts manage to care for vulnerable clients?’

Glenn said other mental health units also seeking 12-hour shifts include Eloura East acute in-patient unit and a rehab unit on Shellharbour campus as well as Sutherland mental health unit.

Eloura West has 12 full-time and two part-time nurses and Glenn says 12-hour shifts would help to fill vacancies.

‘We have people waiting to join the unit and asking if 12-hour shifts have started yet,’ Glenn said.

Following the Area Health Service’s refusal to trial 12-hour shifts, individual nurses at Elouera West have put their cases in writing to the Director General of the Department of Health, Debora Picone and the NSW Chief Nurse, Debra Thoms.

Glenn says the nurses ‘have no idea why the Area Health Service is being so obstinate. Most services who have implemented it (12-hour shifts) have wanted it brought in quickly so they could get the ball rolling and receive the benefits from it.’n

Non-union deal voted down g Nursing home fails to beat Fair Work deadline.

Management’s

wish list The non-union agreement at Peninsula Village included: c A classification restructure with no mention of nurses in job titles c Full-time shift workers’ annual leave reduced from 6 weeks to 5 weeks c No guaranteed wage increases – pay rises linked to a combination of movements in the Consumer Price Index and Labour Price Index.

Members at Peninsula Village protested against an agreement that cut pay and conditions.

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taff at a Central Coast nursing home have firmly rejected a proposed collective agreement aimed at excluding unions and cutting pay and conditions.

Peninsula Village Limited tried to push through the agreement on June 25 – just one week before the start of new Fair Work laws which make it harder for employers to prevent unions representing their members.

But the company’s attempt to take advantage of the dying days of WorkChoices legislation backfired.

Staff rejected the deal by 259 votes to 57 and nurses reacted by reforming a branch of the NSW Nurses’ Association at the Umina retirement village.

Nurses called the Association for advice when management unveiled the proposed agreement and let it be known they did not want unions involved.

The Association’s Assistant General Secretary, Judith Kiejda, called the agreement ‘outrageous and un-Australian’.

‘Nurses would have lost their job titles, and there were no guaranteed wage increases over the life of the four-year agreement,’ Judith said.

‘There were cuts to annual leave, shift penalties and allowances too (see box).’

‘Nurses got a petition going which called on the company to negotiate with unions.’

Peninsula Village’s chief executive offficer, Terri Parker, denied the company was rushing to beat the Fair Work laws, telling the Sydney Morning Herald: ‘We are doing this so we can quickly improve conditions for our staff. No other reason.’

However the NSW Health Minister and Minister for the Central Coast, John Della Bosca, told the Herald: ‘The post–WorkChoices legislation comes into effect on July 1 and people can make their own observations about the timing of this offer.’

Association officials met with over 35 nurses and agreed to campaign against the agreement with a protest outside the nursing home on the day of the ballot.

Judith Kiejda said that the agreement applied to all nursing and non-nursing staff and there was a concern that cleaners, handymen and cooks would be deciding nurses’ futures.

‘However the nurses rallied really

c No prior recognition of previous experience for new employees.

Management would determine the level of competency of new starters. c An employee relieving a member of senior management would only receive a 10% loading on their ordinary rate of pay c No progression to next performance band unless approved by manager c Shift penalty rates cut c On Call allowance cut c No continuing education allowance.

well and reformed the local NSWNA branch. The Health Services Union, which covers a lot of the non-nursing staff, contacted their members by phone to explain why they should vote “No”.

‘Nurses got a petition going which called on the company to negotiate with unions. It gathered more than 150 signatures but management still went ahead with the vote.’

Following the ‘No’ vote the NSWNA has asked the company to start negotiations for a fair agreement that does not reduce standards and contains guaranteed wage increases.n THE LAMP august 2009 27

The bank created for NSWNA members.

A home loan with no hidden costs z No ongoing account keeping fees z Variable and fixed interest rates with split loan options z Top-ups and redraws available z Products available are Standard Home Loan, Ultimate Offset Account and Interest Only Investment Loan

An Online Savings Account that earns high interest on every dollar, every day z No ongoing account keeping fees z Access to funds 24 hours a day, 7 days a week z No bank fees z No minimum balance required

One of Australia’s cheapest credit cards

One of Australia’s lowest fixed rate personal loans

z Low ongoing interest rate z A low $39 annual fee z Up to 44 days interest free on purchases z Access to MasterCard exclusives z Emergency worldwide replacement z No charge for additional cardholders

z One low establishment fee z Pay it off in 1 to 5 years z No ongoing account fees z Available for amounts from $5,000 to $30,000 z Consolidate your debts into one easy payment

NSWNA members have access to a bank of their own. It’s called Members Equity Bank.

To find out more call 1300 309 374 or visit www.membersequitybank.com.au Applications subject to credit approval. Fees & charges apply. Terms & conditions available on request. This is general information only and you should consider if these products are appropriate for you. Members Equity Bank Pty Ltd ABN 56 070 887 679 AFS Licence: 229500.

117804 SVS03/0209

28 THE LAMP august 2009

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Nurses hit with 50% parking increase g Parking hike at Sydney Hospital and Sydney Eye Hospital.

S

ydney Hospital and Sydney Eye Hospital nurses face a 50% hike in parking fees from 1 July due to State Government parking levy increases.

The increase will affect more than 230 nurses who work at the hospital. Parking fees for full-time nurses at Sydney-Sydney Eye Hospital President of the Sydney Hospital and Sydney have increased from $41.94 to Eye Hospital Branch Donna Evans (right) and $60.84 per fortnight. Part-time and Ann Ausburn. casual nurses face similar increases based on a pro rata calculation.

‘Nurses receive none of the special Sydney-Sydney Eye Hospital falls arrangements that other essential services under the Category One CBD district in receive such as free public transport or Sydney, where the State Government has dramatically reduced parking costs. increased the car park levy from $950 to ‘The State Government has exempted $2000 per space per year. many other parking spaces, why not nursing President of the Sydney-Sydney Eye car parks at a public hospital?’ said Donna.

Hospital Branch Donna Evans RN said ‘Twenty dollars extra per fortnight imposing such massive parking increases may not seem a lot but it is when you on emergency service workers like consider all the other costs of getting to nurses is unacceptable. ‘Nurses provide work such as tolls and petrol. The increase a frontline and essential service to the takes up 20% of the last pay increase.’ community and late-night shifts mean Donna said such a massive increase they have no safe option other than may discourage nurses from seeking em­ driving to and from work. ploy­ment at Sydney-Sydney Eye Hospital.

‘Public sector nurses are paid the same, no matter where they work. Yet not all nurses pay such heavy parking fees,’ she said.

The State Government proceeded with the parking increase despite strong protest from the NSWNA and members.

The NSWNA, nurses and hospital workers held a protest rally at Parliament House carpark on 30 June. As part of the protest, SydneySydney Eye Hospital members attempted to park their cars in the Parliament House carpark.

‘We asked if we could park there because we wanted to get across the message that we can’t afford this parking increase,’ said Donna The NSWNA also wrote to the Premier Nathan Rees and Health Minister John Della Bosca outlining the Association’s strong concerns with the parking increase.

Unfortunately, at the time of printing the Government had not been willing to intervene and assist the members at Sydney-Sydney Eye Hospital. Discussions are continuing.n

Members at Sydney Hospital and Sydney Eye Hospital confronted Health Minister John Della Bosca with their concerns about the huge parking increase.

THE LAMP august 2009 29

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No redundancies without consultation, says NSWNA g NSWNA demands consultation from AHSs to ensure redundancies won’t worsen workloads.

N

SWNA intervention has prevented Greater Southern and Sydney West Area Health Services (AHSs) offering voluntary redundancies to experienced nurses that may exacerbate already excessive workloads.

Greater Southern AHS sought expres­sions of interest from experienced nurses and then tried to push through redundan­cies, without consultation with the NSWNA. The NSWNA acted quickly to block further redundancies, concerned the redundancies were being offering without proper assessment and consultation with the NSWNA and nurse managers – a move that breaches the Public Health System Nurses’ and Midwives’ (State) Award and NSW Health Policy.

According to NSWNA Assistant

30 THE LAMP august 2009

General Secretary Judith Kiejda, the Association is concerned the redundancies are a cost-cutting move by the AHS that could worsen workloads.

‘We are not opposed to redundancies when they are appropriate but the NSWNA is opposed to the Area Health Service breach­ ing the Award and NSW Health Policy.

After a heated meeting with the NSWNA, the Greater Southern AHS agreed that no further redundancies would be processed until appropriate consultation and assessment has occurred.

‘We also need to ensure that experienced nurses are not made redundant and then replaced by unregulated workers.’

NSWNA Assistant General Secretary Judith Kiejda

‘Consultation is required to ensure that nurses won’t be left with excessive workloads. There are certainly hospitals and services in the Greater Southern AHS where high workloads are a problem.

The NSWNA is determined to ensure this won’t be exacerbated.

‘We also need to ensure that experienced nurses are not made redundant and then replaced by unregulated workers.

This will create havoc with skills mix and put pressure on other experienced nurses who are left on the wards,’ said Judith.

‘We also warned the Greater Southern AHS that the Association would not stand for experienced nurses being made redundant and their positions filled with unregulated workers,’ said Judith.

Sydney West AHS had also sought expressions of interest from experienced nurses for redundancies.

However, unlike the Greater Southern AHS, Western Sydney AHS agreed to appropriate consultation with the NSWNA before any voluntary redundancies are processed.n

McKesson nurses to form NSWNA Branch g McKesson nurses united and protected under new NSWNA Branch.

T

he NSWNA and nurses working for McKesson met via teleconference in August to establish a new NSWNA McKesson Branch.

The new NSWNA KcKesson Branch will unite and provide union protection for around 50 nurses who are working from their homes for McKesson call centres.

According to NSWNA General Secre­ta­ry Brett Holmes, nurses working for McKesson are isolated in ‘virtual workplaces’. ‘They don’t have any contact with other McKesson nurses. They don’t even know who their colleagues are, let alone get the back up and support from colleagues and sharing of information, which normally happens in the workplace.

‘Alone and isolated, they are vulnerable to exploitation by a company that has a history of taking advantage of its employees who are working in isolation,’ said Brett.

Earlier in the year McKesson did everything it could to block information about an impending vote for a new Union Collective Agreement (UCA).

The vote for the new agreement went ahead without any meetings between staff. Nurses were forced to base their vote on a disjointed flow of conflicting information and hearsay.

Not surprising, McKesson nurses missed out on a stronger Union Collective Agreement and now have an agreement approved by the narrowest of margins that offers no real

improvement to pay or conditions, allows for no guaranteed wage increases and does nothing to protect nurses from penalties if their home equipment breaks down.

‘Many nurses working in these new “virtual workplaces” are struggling to balance work and family.

It is vital that nurses in such an isolated and vulnerable position have union protection, and the structure of an NSWNA Branch to keep in touch with their colleagues,’ said Brett.

All members working at McKesson are encouraged to get involved in the new NSWNA Branch and encourage other nurses working for McKesson to join the NSWNA. Call the NSWNA on 1300 367 962 for more information.n

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THE LAMP august 2009 31

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creating nursing’s future

Progress and opportunity wait for no one, and The College of Nursing is no exception. So in the midst of our 60th year of service to nurses, we have risen to the current economic challenge by taking the opportunity to reassess what nurses want from the College.

This change has enabled us to focus on providing key education choices across the public, private and notfor-profit health sectors and continue our mission of Creating Nursing’s Future.

With the face of the nursing workforce continually changing, the College has responded to the needs of a wider audience. As well as being an accredited Higher Education Institution, the College is now also a Registered Training Organisation and able to deliver nationally accredited courses including the Diploma of Nursing (Enrolled/ Division 2 nursing) upgrade, Advanced Diploma of Nursing (Enrolled/

Happy Birthday The College of Nursing 60 Years Young!

Division 2 nursing) and Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAA). These two arms of education delivery will be complemented by our continuing professional development short courses.

With the introduction of National Registration in 2010 and the ANMC Continuing Competence Framework, all College courses will assist nurses in achieving their essential CPD hours.

This progressive move by the College will enable a greater delivery of education services to a much wider audience of people who have chosen nursing as their career. We recognise there are many different categories of care provision within the health arena and believe we have a responsibility to provide all nursing groups educational opportunities. Our focus continues to be on developing and delivering a quality service that meets the clinical and education needs of all

nurses. We also remain one of the largest providers of post graduate nursing courses in Australia, with over 66 specialty subjects.

Nurses in demand are those who consolidate their practical experience with education.

Over 7,000 students each year enrol with the College and report an overwhelmingly positive response of their experience. Many become Members or Fellows of The College of Nursing and enjoy a wide variety of benefits, including being part of the voice and lobbying we participate in at a state, national and international level.

So in the year of 2009 we not only celebrate what we’ve achieved from the humble beginnings of a very special group of passionate nurses, we celebrate our launch into uncharted waters and invite you to join us in our journey for the professional advancement of nurses.

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34 THE LAMP august 2009

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Q & A

ASK

JUDITH

when it comes to your rights and entitlements at work,

nswna assistant general secretary judith kiejda has the answers.

Casual goes permanent after six months I have been working as a casual for eight months in a public hospital and work the same shifts each week. My colleague has told me I am entitled to have these shifts permanently, is this correct?

Clause 29 Part-Time, Casual and Temporary Employees, of the Public Health System Nurses’ and Midwives’ (State) Award 2008 states in Part II Casual Employees the following: ‘B. Casual Conversion … (ii) A casual employee engaged by a parti­ cular employer on a regular and systemic basis for a sequence of periods of employment under this Award during a calendar period of six months shall thereafter have the right to elect to have his or her ongoing contract of employment converted to permanent full-time employment or part-time employment if the employment is to continue beyond the conversion process prescribed by this subclause …’

The clause further explains that the employer should write to casual employees who have completed six months of regular and systematic employment, within four weeks of such time, advising them that they are entitled to be made permanent as per the provisions of the clause. The employee can then decide whether they wish to be made a permanent employee, or continue as a casual employee.

Time allowed for scrubs gear I work in a private hospital in the operating theatre. We have a new NUM who is insisting we are dressed in our scrub gear and in the theatre at our start time. Previously, we were given time to get changed at work. Can our NUM now insist on this change?

No, your NUM is incorrect in trying to en­ force this change. Nurses still covered by a Notional Agreement Preserving State Award (NAPSA) are entitled to change into scrub gear in work time, and this information can be found in Clause 3 Hours of Work and Free Time of Employees Other Than Directors of Nursing of the Private Hospital Industry Nurses’ (State) Award. Subclause (xi)(b) states: ‘Where an employee is required to change into a uniform or a specified type of garment at the employer’s premises they shall be allowed ten minutes for such a purpose and such time shall be counted as working time and paid as such.’

Private Hospital nurses who are covered by an Agreement need to check their Agreement to see if they are entitled to change into scrub gear in work time.

Right to refuse 10 consecutive shifts I am an RN working in a public hospital and have been rostered on for 10 consecutive shifts over two roster

periods. I did not agree to this and think this excessive. Can I refuse to work this many shifts in a row?

Yes, you can refuse. Under Clause 4, Sub-clause (iv), Paragraph (a) of the Public Health System Nurses and Midwives (State) Award, you can only be directed to work seven consecutive shifts. You can work up to a maximum of 10 consecutive shifts, but management needs your consent. In your case, management does not have your consent, and you can refuse.

Rostered day off after night shift I am an RN working in a public hospital and worked a night shift before my two consecutive days off in the roster.

This shift finished at 7 am on Monday and I was then rostered on for 7 am Wednesday. Is this considered two days off as I feel it only constitutes one and a half days off?

The way that you have been rostered, you have only been given one day off. This is because according to the Public Health System Nurses and Midwives (State) Award (Clause 4, Sub-clause (xvi), Paragraph (c) ), days off are measured from ‘midday to midday’, or ‘midnight to midnight’. In your case, if you were rostered on for noon on the Wednesday, you would then be considered as having two days off.n

THE LAMP august 2009 35

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s

s p e c i a l p e o p l e

Hooroo … and hooray, Charles Linsell g Charles Linsell has been an energetic and active NSWNA member for 30 years, and NSWNA Councillor since 1986. Renowned for his colourful contributions to Annual Conference, Charles stands out for his courageous and tireless commitment to the nursing profession and his colleagues’ rights at work. With his retirement this month, Charles farewells his colleagues and friends at the NSWNA.

M

y employment Charles Linsell with with Sydney NSWNA President Coral Levett.

South West Area Health Service will cease at 5 pm on Friday, 31 July. As I do not forsee any future employment ‘... in or in connection with the profession of nursing ...’ I will no longer be eligible for membership of the Association under the provisions of Rule 2. Therefore, I give notice of my resignation as a member of the Association and, accordingly, as a Councillor effective at close of business on 31 July.

Notwithstanding the sense of exuberance with which I embrace retire­ment, I am somewhat saddened by the prospect of leaving the union that has been so much a part of my life for over 30 years.

I have witnessed the Association under­ go enormous change. Most importantl­y, there has been a gradual evolution towards a structural democracy, which keeps the elected officers and Council focused on the needs of the membership, and which also gives the union great power both within the union movement and in negotiation with employers. Our adversa­ries know that our and one that reflects the very essence of the leaders really do speak for the member­ship vast majority of our members. and carry with them the industrial might of It would be absurd to claim that the members, regard­less of whether it is a nurses and midwives have a monopoly on state-wide or local-level issue. caring for others, but the two professions The NSW Nurses’ Association’s that comprise our membership have internal solidarity with all the diverse compassion as the most fundamental, sections of our own membership, our yet unwritten, component of every job solidarity with other unions, left and right, description. The extraordinary range of when they have come under attack, and physically, mentally and emotionally our support for communities in need, is a challenging work done by our members record of which we can all be most proud is astonishing but amounts to nothing

‘The extraordinary range of physically, mentally and emotionally challenging work done by our members is astonishing but amounts to nothing without empathy and kindness.’

without empathy and kindness.

It is easy to understand then, why having played a small part in the organisation that seeks to improve the pay and working conditions of these people pro­ vides me with a most precious satisfaction indeed.

I have had the honour of working with five General Secretaries and, if I count correctly, 10 Assistant General Secretaries, and I have served on Council under six Presidents. Although sometimes it has been tough, especially when I’ve lost, I have enjoyed almost every minute of it.

Thank you Brett and Judith for the leadership you have given the Association and the high level of respect you have shown to Council as evidenced by the importance you have placed on consultation with us. Under the leadership of Coral Levett, the Council is now the most effective and collectively intelligent I can remember. I thank all of you for your comradeship and for your tolerance of my idiosyncrasies.

I thank all of the Association’s officers who have, over the years, provided me with expert assistance and advice, especially when my employer has needed a little discipline, and the administrative staff who have always treated me with courtesy and respect.

Lastly, but very importantly, I owe much to the members of my own branch who have, until I stepped aside this year, consistently over many years elected me to be their President and Delegate.

I have made many good friends through the Association and I intend to take those friendships with me.n THE LAMP august 2009 37

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n s w n A m A t t e r s

NSWNA Branch News

en across NSW have be g NSWNA members ing their union and ild bu th on m is th e activ rses’ rights. working to protect nu

NSWNA members from Dubbo Hospital branch attended a Fairness at Work workshop on 22 June with NSWNA officer linda Griffiths (left).

The Blacktown community showed their support for aged care by the signing the Because we care charter at the Blacktown Street Festival in June.

over muffins and coffee, Jacinta laroche RN, Denise plews RN and Maree Francois RN from Newcastle private icU celebrated the NSWNA maintaining their icU certificate education allowance for a further six months.

Sunita Gounder (left), Branch Secretary, presented Sharon Murphy RN with a Hoyts movie pass at Mt Druitt public Hospital branch BBQ and raffle on 30 June.

in June, the NSWNA supported the RTBU (Rail Tram & Bus Union) in their Save our Stations campaign to support frontline NSW public sector workers. NSWNA organiser Rita Martin spoke at a rally at Sydney central Station in support of maintaining staffing levels.

38 THE LAMP august 2009

NSWNA Wyong Nursing Home branch was formed in June. New Branch Secretary Sharon Harvey AiN (right) and Members Equity representative lorrel Scott (left) attended the first branch meeting.

c o m p e t i t i o n

WIN! A rejuvenating spring escape

to celebrate Floriade Floriade is Australia’s celebration of spring, and this year visitors will be rejuvenated as over a million bulbs and annuals bloom, depicting the three major elements of a balanced life – improving your mind, looking after your body and nurturing your soul.

Unwind with the sights of magnificent garden beds, enjoy soullifting entertainment, see how professional landscapers create water-wise gardens, enjoy family time with great kids’ activities and learn from a range of informative demonstrations.

Floriade NightFest returns in style with more live entertainment, music, feature films under the stars, food and wine at the stylish new Lotus Lounge, a giant ferris wheel, bustling night markets, a massive display of music and even a children’s section set amongst glowing lanterns and spectacularly lit garden beds guaranteed to enchant visitors of all ages.

Floriade is in bloom in Canberra from12 September to 11 October, with the Floriade NightFest running from 23 to 27 September.

The Lamp is offering members the chance to win a spring escape to celebrate Floriade and experience the excitement of Floriade NightFest. The prize includes:

c Two nights* luxury accommodation at Country Guesthouse Schonegg, Canberra, staying in a premium spa room. c Canapés and a glass of premium Canberra-district wine on arrival at Schonegg. c Continental buffet breakfast and a la carte cooked breakfast. c Two bottles of Canberra Region Wines c Entry for two evenings of Floriade NightFest for two people.

To enter, simply write your name, address and membership number on the back of an envelope and send it to Floriade Spring Escape Competition PO Box 40, Camperdown NSW 1450 Last month Thiess Services sacked a group of union members who refused to accept an agreement that stripped them of their entitlements for a measly 1% pay rise. Ever since, the workers have been picketing outside the company’s soil remediation project at Rhodes. The actions of Thiess Services were part of a ruthless campaign to push through a substandard agreement before the Howard-era WorkChoices laws expired on 1 July. NSWNA Officer Michael Whaites (inset, right) attended a CFMEU barbecue at the picket line on 2 July.

Competition closes 31 August 2009.

For more information about visiting Floriade and Canberra please contact the Canberra and Region Visitors Centre on 1300 554 114 or go to visitcanberra.com.au, and for great deals on accommodation contact Country Guesthouse Schönegg on 6227 0344 or go to www.schonegg.com.au.

Members of the Central Coast QACAG group (Quality Aged Care Action Group) held a meeting on 4 July in Erina with local Federal MP Belinda Neal (centre) to discuss aged care issues.

*Excludes Friday and Saturday nights.

THE LAMP august 2009 39

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l i f e s t y l e

oUR REviEWERS & TipSTERS REcEivE A DEliGHTFUl

ABc clASSicS cD

FoR UpliFTiNG ENJoYMENT!

Push

gifts so good, you won’t want to give them away. there is an Abc Shop near you. for locations visit abcshop.com.au or call 1300 360 111.

Ask about our rewards program.

g An action thriller with interesting special effects but Push suffers from underdeveloped characters and a weak plot.

Review by Anni Cameron, Clinical Coordinator, Nursing Section, St George College of TAFE

T

his film is loosely based around real-life experiments from the mid 1940s when the Nazis followed by the soviets and americans began to conduct top-secret research programs revolving around psychic espionage: telekinesis, clairvoyance, telepathy and so forth. the CIa’s notorious MKultra mindcontrol experiments that began in this era, with a mission to develop operatives with advanced paranormal skills and an ultimate tool for undetectable surveillance, were the inspiration for this action-thriller.

the story revolves around a sinister government agency known as the Division, which is rounding up psychics for experiments designed to boost their psychic powers and, in the process, create an ultra powerful army. unfortunately, almost noone has ever survived these experiments.

Nick gant (Chris Evans), a second generation telekinetic or ‘Mover’, who can remotely manipulate the physical world to his advantage, remains in hiding in denselypopulated Hong Kong since the Division murdered his father a decade earlier.

He is forced out of hiding when

Cassie (Dakota Fanning), a 13-year-old clairvoyant or ‘Watcher’ demands his help in locating a briefcase she claims holds $6 million. they also require the help of Kira (Camilla Belle), an escaped ‘Pusher’ and the sole survivor of the Division’s experiments. Pushers are seen as the most dangerous for their ability to influence others by implanting thoughts in their minds with sometimes devastating effects. there is considerable action throughout the film with Nick, Cassie and Kira constantly battling the sniffs (those with bloodhound ability to track down their prey on behalf of the Division using scent alone – even if it is a decade old) and the Bleeders (able to shatter glass and blood vessels with their screeching voices). the special effects abound but in the end are unable to save the film from its underdeveloped characters and a plot needing more work – all of which leads to an overall unsatisfying effect. the film has a comic book quality, leaving you expecting the words ‘Bam!’, ‘Kapow!’, ‘Boom!’ to suddenly appear on the screen along with the sound effects.n Push opens on 27 august.

Maari Ma Health Aboriginal Corporation Improving Aboriginal health and closing the gap • Broken Hill, NSW Maari Ma Health, an award winning, Aboriginal community controlled, regional health service. Please check our website and see the Strategic Plan 2008 –2013, Chronic Disease Strategy and Child Development Framework at www.maarima.com.au

CHILD & FAMILY HEALTH NURSE Join the Healthy Start Team to continue the development and implementation of the Healthy Start Program throughout the Maari Ma Region, building on the current award-winning, innovative, best-practicebased program. ‘Healthy Start’ is a way of regularly keeping in touch with families to provide helpful, important information and assist with any problems so that together we keep our kids healthy and strong.

For further information please contact Cathy Dyer, telephone 08 8082 9832 or email CDyer@gwahs.health.nsw.gov.au We offer salary range $52,130 to $72,250 (RN to CNS), five weeks annual leave, training in chronic disease prevention and management, professional development opportunities and generous salary packaging provisions. Talk to us about our flexible employment packages and family friendly workplaces.

To apply, you will need to obtain an application package. Please contact Danika Tonna on 08 8082 9815 or DTonna@gwahs.health.nsw.gov.au Applications close 27 August 2009

Maari Ma has a smoke free health care workplace policy and working with children checks are required prior to appointment.

MaariLAMP Ma advert.indd 1 40 THE august 2009

27/7/09 9:17:25 AM

The Girlfriend Experience g An intriguing, stylised drama by Academy Award-winning director Steven Soderbergh, this film chronicles five days in the life of a high-end Manhattan call girl who offers clients the complete dating experience.

c

helsea (sasha grey), thinks she has her life totally under control – she runs her own business, makes $2000 an hour, and has a devoted boyfriend, Chris (Chris santos).

But she soon discovers that when you’re in the business of meeting people you never know who’s waiting around the corner.

It’s October 2008 and the faltering us economy is on everyone’s lips. One of Chelsea’s clients, a Hassidic jeweller, advises her against keeping her savings in diamonds – ‘Diamonds have no value.

Keep it in gold’. and of course she follows his advice, listening to her clients is all part of offering the ‘girlfriend experience’. she even goes so far as to visit a sex connoisseur who promises a favourable review in exchange for a free sample.

Meanwhile, her boyfriend Chris finds himself at an impasse in his own career.

He’s generating plenty of business training wealthy hedge fund managers, but little of that lucre is coming back to him. and even

worse, his relationship with Chelsea has cooled – hardly a ‘girlfriend experience’.

On the heels of a nasty web review from the sex connoisseur, Chelsea meets Philip, a new client from out of town who listens to her as she unloads her career anxieties. In Philip, Chelsea finally sees promise of a real relationship – a real girlfriend experience – and not just another transaction. things are about to change.

I think the film had a lot of promise. the concept of men visiting a call girl like Chelsea, who offers a sympathetic ear while their lives are imploding in the economic downturn, could have worked.

But I don’t think the film lived up to expectations as a sexy, gorgeously shot time capsule from the not-too-distant past. the photography was disjointed and the storyline difficult to follow. and it could have expanded on Chelsea’s interaction with all those fractured men and how that changed her. this was adult film star sasha grey’s debut in a mainstream film, and I don’t think she strayed too far from her past in playing

Review by Stephanie Gray, RN, Australian Red Cross Blood Service

this character. at 21, I don’t think she is going to go too far in mainstream films.

If you’d like to see a disjointed sexual romp and you are drawn in by the highclass glamour, then this may be the film for you. But personally, I found it difficult to follow and felt it failed to deliver what it promised. Not the best experience.n The Girlfriend Experience opens on 10 september.

GivEAWAYS

FoR NSWNA MEMBERS

The Lamp has 10 double passes to The Girlfriend Experience and 25 double passes to Push. To enter, email lamp@nswnurses. asn.au with your name, membership number, address and contact number.

First entries win!

Maari Ma Health Aboriginal Corporation Improving Aboriginal health and closing the gap • Broken Hill, NSW Maari Ma Health, an award winning, Aboriginal community controlled, regional health service. Please check our website and see the Strategic Plan 2008 –2013, Chronic Disease Strategy and Child Development Framework at www.maarima.com.au

COMMUNITY MIDWIFE Join the Healthy Start Team working as Community Midwife aligned with the Aboriginal Maternal Infant Health Strategy, providing and promoting community based services in Broken Hill and surrounding communities, working in partnership with Aboriginal Primary Health Workers, local health staff and families.

For further information please contact Margaret-Ann Cook on 08 8082 9777 or email MCook@gwahs.health.nsw.gov.au

We offer salary range $52,130 to $72,250 (RN to CNS), five weeks annual leave, training in chronic disease prevention and management, professional development opportunities and generous salary packaging provisions. Talk to us about our flexible employment packages and family friendly workplaces.

To apply, you will need to obtain an application package.

Please contact Danika Tonna 08 8082 9815 or DTonna@gwahs.health.nsw.gov.au Applications close 27 August 2009

Maari Ma has a smoke free health care workplace policy and working with children checks are required prior to appointment.

Maari Ma advert.indd 2

27/7/09 9:17:26 AM THE LAMP august 2009 41

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Book me Essentials of nursing: Care of Adults and Children

taking into account all the health professions and their differing responsibilities.

speciAl interest title

by Barbara K. Timby and Nancy E. Smith, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, RRP $55.95 : ISBN 0781750989 Essentials of Nursing: Care of Adults and Children is a readable and user-friendly textbook that contains essential medicalsurgical content and also includes two units on maternity nursing and pediatric nursing. the text offers LPN/LVN students an easy-to-digest overview of medical/surgical nursing, and is an excellent supplement to timby’s Fundamental Nursing Skills and Concepts.

Potter and Perry’s Fundamentals of nursing

The Household Guide to dying

Ethics and Law for the Health Professions (3rd edition)

by Ian Kerridge, Michael Lowe and Cameron Stewart, The Federation Press, RRP $69.90 : ISBN 9781862877306 Ethics and Law for the Health Professions 3rd edition is fully revised with all ethics and law topics updated to reflect recent developments. Its special features are its focus on a clinicallyrelevant approach, and its recognition that health care professionals are often confronted by legal issues and ethical issues at the same time. Health professionals have to satisfy both, and their legal advisers need to be aware of the dilemmas this can present. this book is careful to distinguish between ethics and law,

(3rd edition)

by Jackie Crisp and Catherine Taylor, Mosby Australia, RRP $138.95 : ISBN 9780729538626 Potter & Perry’s Fundamentals of Nursing 3rd edition builds on the strengths of the previous editions, with greater local authorship, increased local research, evidence and concepts particular to the health care systems of australia and New Zealand. this textbook is designed for beginning students in all types of professional nursing programs across australia and New Zealand.

nurse’s Quick Check. signs and symptoms.

by Springhouse, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, RRP $44.95 : ISBN 1582554137 Nurse’s Quick Check.

Signs and Symptoms reference guide for nursing students and practitioners offers data on signs and symptoms. It includes more than 200 two-page, bulleted entries listed alphabetically as well as emergency action logos for life-threatening signs, common medical causes, and an appendix of overlooked signs.

WHERE To GET THiS MoNTH’S NEW RElEASES These books are all available on order through the publisher or your local bookshop. Members of the NSWNA can borrow any of these books and more from our Records and Information Centre.

For borrowing information, contact Jeannette Bromfield, 8595 2175, jbromfield@nswnurses.asn.au or Cathy Matias, 8595 2121, cmatias@ nswnurses.asn.au 4 THE LAMP august 2009

Reviews by NSWNA librarian, Jeannette Bromfield.

pUBliSHER’S WEBSiTES c Mosby Elsevier Australia: www.us.elsevierhealth.com c Lippincott Williams and Wilkins: www.lww.com c Picador Australia: www.panmacmillan.com.au/picador c Federation Press: www.federationpress.com.au

by Debra Adelaide, Picador Australia (Pan Macmillan Australia) RRP $32.95 : ISBN 9780330424257 The Household Guide to Dying tells the story of Delia who is terminally ill and has only months to live. the book revolves mostly around her struggles with death, but there is also a side plot in which Delia needs to lay to rest some ghosts from her past before the moment arrives. this book is witty yet subtle, sad yet happy. Most of all it will question your everyday existence and how you feel about those you love.

Do not be put off by the title! this is a gentle, thought-provoking book with an eclectic mix of the joys and sadness of someone who knows their time is up.

Ask a Colleague: Expert nurses Answer More Than 1,000 Complex Clinical Questions

by Springhouse, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, RRP $39.95 : ISBN 1582554242 Chapters in this text cover essential nursing care of all body systems as well as need-to-know information on nursing fundamentals, fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balance, psychiatric and mental health care, pain management, medication administration, IV therapy, and legal and ethical issues. Ask a Colleague is a handy resource for senior nursing students, providing a mechanism to encourage critical thinking.n

THE LAMP august 2009 43

s

n u r s i n g o n l i n e

Health reform debate hot in US

A

s the health reform debate heats up in Australia it is interesting to consider the situation in the United States. At least 50 million Americans have no health cover and all but the richest are at the mercy of the notorious insurers known as HMOs. This has prompted President Obama to put health reform at the centre of his domestic policy agenda.

Huge impacts on average people Excerpt from Getting there from here: how should Obama reform health care? Atul Gawande, The New Yorker, 26 January 2009 Starla Darling, pregnant and due for delivery, had just taken maternity leave from her factory job at Archway & Mother’s Cookie Company in Ashland, Ohio, when she received a letter informing her that the company was going out of business. In three days, the letter said, she and almost 300 co-workers would be laid off, and would lose their health-insurance coverage. The company was self-insured, so the employees didn’t have the option of paying for the insurance themselves – their insurance plan was being terminated.

‘When I heard that I was losing my insurance, I was scared,’ Darling told the Times. Her husband had been laid-off from his job, too. ‘I remember that the bill for my son’s delivery in 2005 was about $US 9,000, and I knew I would never be able to pay that by myself.’ So she prevailed on her midwife to induce labor while she still had insurance coverage. During labour, Darling

began bleeding profusely, and needed a Caesarean section. Mother and baby pulled through. But the insurer denied Darling’s claim for coverage. The couple ended up owing more than $US 17,000. c www.newyorker.com/reporting/

2009/01/26/090126fa_fact_gawande

A national health insurance program closer than ever Excerpt from Times topics – health reform, The New York Times, 15 July 2009 For more than 75 years, Democrats have dreamed of creating a comprehensive national health insurance program. With the election of President Obama it appeared they had the best chance in a generation to accomplish that goal, and five months after Mr Obama’s inauguration, the detailed work of drafting legislation began in Congress – a step that suddenly brought all the difficulties of the task, as well as the possibilities, into sharp focus.

What separates this year’s initiative from past health care expansions is that

it would try to address the system’s shortcomings in cost, access and quality all at once. It would do so with intricately interlocking components in­tended to make health care afford­able, end discriminatory insurance prac­tices and redirect treatment toward prevention. c http://topics.nytimes.com/top/

news/health/diseasesconditionsand healthtopics/health_insurance_and_ managed_care/health_care_reform/ index.html

Insurers attack Sicko and Michael Moore The former head of publicity for CIGNA, one of the top health insurance companies in the US, has revealed for the first time details of the health insurance industry’s secret cam­­paign to discredit Michael Moore and his film Sicko. It contains a stunning revelation and admission that the disinformation and attacks on Moore and the film were exten­sive, well-planned, aimed to stop the movie from reaching a wide audience and, more im­por­tantly, from having the widespread po­li­tical impact the industry feared Sicko would have.

Wendell Potter, former Head of Corporate Communications at CIGNA admits that, in fact, Sicko ‘hit the nail on the head’ and told the real truth about how much better people in other countries have it when it comes to their health care.n c http://www.youtube.com/

watch?v=Mv1FwOCNoZ8

Attention DON’s and Nurse Educators.

Fully Funded Aged Care Training

Bannister Technical is participating in the NSW Dept Education and Training Productivity Places Program (PPP) Tender process. The program will provide fully funded training places for Certificate IV in Aged Care (CHC 40108) and Certificate IV in Health Supervision (HLT 40407) for existing workers.

All training will be “on site” at your facility.

If you are interested in up-skilling your existing workers to Certificate IV in Aged Care or Health Supervision at no cost, phone Brian or Daniel at Bannister Technical on -

(02) 9211 7500 Bannister Technical is a Registered Training Organisation with over 300 trainees in the aged care sector.

This training is funded by the NSW Government in partnership with the Australian Government 44 THE LAMP august 2009

Crossword Test your knowledge in this month’s nursing crossword.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8 9

10

11

12

16

13

14

18

19

15

17

20 21 22

23

s

24

across

1.

4.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

16.

19.

Lower spine (6) Organs that produce urine (7) Al fresco (8) Organ that detects sound (3) Fluff (4) Relating to the heart (7) Clothes for work (7) Identify a disease (8) Bacteria (4)

21.

22.

23.

24. s

Immunising (11) Pain (4) Bottom of the ear (7) Chamber of the heart (6)

down

1. Digestive organ (7) 2. Infectious disease in developing countries (7) 3. Medicine (10) 5. Indemnity, protection (9)

6. Relating to the nose (5) 7. Ability to see (5) 8. Tibia, fibia, skull or sacrum (4) 14. Not remember (6) 15. Breast scan (9) 16. Illness, sickness (7) 17. One more(7) 18. Pass out, lose consciousness (5) 20. Sharp, critical (5) Solution page 47 THE LAMP august 2009 45

DI A RY D A TES Conferences, seminars, meetings Sydney, Hunter & Illawarra 9th Rural Critical Care Conference 21– 22 August, Wagga Wagga Contact: Jane Howorth, 6650 9800, www.ruralcriticalcare.asn.au Discharge Planning Assoc. Prof. Day 27 Aug, 9am-4pm, Sydney Adventist Hosp.

Cost: free to members. Contact: Kerrie Kneen, 9487 9655, kerriek@sah.org.au University of Technology Sydney Info Day – Nursing & Midwifery Faculty 29 Aug, 9am–4pm, City Broadway Campus Contact: 9514 1711 Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery Assoc. of NSW – 2009 meetings for nurses 29 Aug, 12–2pm, boardroom, Westmead Private Hosp. Speaker: Lee Wood, Osmosis Medical Skin Care.Contact: 9896 3362.

Professional Assoc. Conf. 2009 ‘On The Crest Of Change’ 17–18 Sept, Bomaderry Bowling Club Cost: $250 non-member/$210 member Contact: 1300 554 249, garozn@ optusnet.com.au, www.enpansw.org.au Symposium for nurses & midwives in non-mental health care settings & 35th International Conf. of Australian College of Mental Health Nurses 29 Sept – 2 Oct, Sheraton on the Park.

Contact: 07 5528 2501, acmhn09@ astmanagement.com.au, www.astmanagement.com.au/acmhn9 Vascular 09 ’Innovation in Intervention’ 1–4 October, Shangri-La Hotel.

Contact: www.vascular2009.com Young NSW 2009 Nurses’ Conference 16–17 Oct, Young Services Club Contact: Cynthea Wellings, (03) 9375 7311, www.ausmed.com.au

Infection Control Conference NSW Inc. ‘Roller Coaster of Infection Control’ 3–4 Sept, Luna Park. Contact: Michelle Berarducci, 9745 9613, ica@nursing.edu.au, www.icansw.org.au

2009 Australian College of Nurse Practitioners Conference 28–30 Oct, Sydney Convention Centre Contact: Anna Boyes, anna@cdesign.com. au, (03) 6231 2999, www.cdesign.com. au/acnp2009

‘Working With Risk – Keeping Mother & Baby Safe’ Conference 4 September, 8am-4pm, RPA Hospital (Kerry Packer Auditorium). Cost $100pp Contact: Maureen Ryan (RPA), 9515 8416

NSW Lactation College – Annual State Conference 30–31 Oct, Vibe Hotel, Goulburn St Contact: Lynne Hall, halls4@bigpond. net.au, www.lactation.org.au

Parkinson’s Disease Seminar 14 Sept, Educ. Block, Westmead Hosp.

Contact: Katherine Schaffarczyk, 9845 5555, page 09134, Katherine_ Schaffarczyk@wsahs.nsw.gov.au

Interstate and overseas

The NSW Enrolled Nurse

46 THE LAMP august 2009

4th International Conf. on Community Health Nursing Research – ’Health in Transition: Researching for the Future’ 16–20 Aug, Adelaide, SA. Info: (08) 8354 2285, www.healthintransition2009.org.au

Australian Diabetes Society & Australian Diabetes Educators Assoc. Annual Scientific Meeting 26–28 August, Adelaide Convention Ctr. Contact: www.diabetessociety.com.au 19th Annual Mental Hlth Services Conf.

1–4 September, Perth Convention Centre Contact: www.themhs.org Royal College of Nursing Australia 2009 Annual Conf. – ‘Nursing – A Sound Investment for Health Returns’ 2–4 Sept, Melbourne Convention Centre.

Contact: 1800 061660, www.rcna.org.au International Council of Nurses (ICN) & International Nurse Practitioner & Advanced Practice Nursing Network (INP/APNN) 6th International Conf. on Advanced Nursing Practice 8–11 September, Brisbane, Qld Contact: www.rcna.org.au Council of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Nurses 10th National Conf.

10–12 September, Mercure Grosvenor Hotel, Adelaide. Contact: (03) 5886 0505 Australian College of Midwives 16th Biennial Conference ’Women & Midwives – A Brilliant Blend’ 22–25 Sept, Adelaide Convention Ctr SA. Contact: www.acmi.org.au Anzona 4th International Orthopaedic Conference – ’You Break It – We Fix It’ 21–23 Oct, Stamford Grand Htl Glenelg, SA Contact: www.anzona.net International Conf. on Cultural Connec­ tions for Quality Care at the End of Life 24–28 September, Perth WA. Contact: www.pallcare.org.au 14th Australasian Nurse Educators

Conference 2009 in New Zealand 30 September – 2 October, Christchurch Convention Centre, Christchurch, NZ Contact: www.nursed.ac.nz

Reunions Bankstown Hosp. 1969 nurses reunion 5 Sept, Dynasty Restaurant, Canterbury League’s Club, 7pm. Cost: ±$70.

Contact: Khing Sin McCotter, 0413 041 069, ksmccotter@optusnet.com.au Prince Henry Hosp. Trained Nurses’ Assoc. ’Back To Prince Henry’ Day 5 Sept, 10am–5pm, Nursing & Medical Museum. 128th anniv. of 1st admission to the Sanitation Camp. Contact: Lyn, 9387 4412 Royal Prince Alfred PTS 1977 Reunion PTS Jan 1977, October long weekend, Camper­down VTA. Contact: Judy (Mather) Massey, 0418 402 934, Jamass1@tpg.com.au/ Sue-Anne SAM Mills, sueanne@bigpond.net.au St George Hospital Kogarah Reunion 17 October, St George Leagues Club Contact: Jan Robson, 9570 5517/ Judith Cornell, jcornell@netspace.net.au Mater Graduate Nurses’ Association Annual Reunion Mass & Lunch 18 Oct. Mass 11.45am, ’Our Lady Star of the Sea’ Kirribilli. Lunch 1pm, Vibe Hotel, Milsons Point. Cost: $50 pp (before 31 Aug)/ $55 pp (after). RSVP by 11 Sept.

Contact: Jillian O’Brien, 9900 7549, matergrads@matersydney.com.au Prince Henry Hosp. 1969 Graduates 40 Year Reunion 31 October, Prince Henry Hospital.

Contact: margaret.piggott@gwahs. health.nsw.gov.au, 6847 2091 (AH)

Diary Dates Diary Dates is a free service for members.

Please send diary date details, in the same format used here – event, date, venue, con­tact details, via email, fax, mail and the web before the 5th of the month prior, for example: 5th of May for June Lamp.

Send information to: Editorial Enquiries Email: lamp@nswnurses.asn.au Fax: 9550 3667 Wollongong Hosp. Grad. 40th Reunion 7 Nov. Venue: TBA. Seeking graduates Contact: Carolynne Macdonald, 4228 8936, jeltzz@ozemail.com.au Prince Henry & POW July 1979 PTC 30-Year Reunion Date: TBA. Contact: Gill Longbottom, 0402 848 542/ Karen Mcguire(Gilliman), 0408 269 414/ Lynne Dive(Mccarthy), kl.dive@hotmail.com Canterbury Hospital PTS July 1969 Seeking interest. Contact: Lorraine Barton (Nee Hardy), 9773 6223, lorraine.barton@ optusnet.com.au

Other notices Treatment for Alcohol Use & Trauma Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Study If you have suffered serious trauma/ distress, you can participate in this study.

Sponsored by NSCCH, RPAH & National Drug & Alcohol Research Centre.

Contact: Dr Claudia Sannibale, 0414 385 149, c.sannibale@unsw.edu.au

PO Box 40 Camperdown NSW 1450

the web – www.nswnurses.asn.au

Please double-check all information sent is correct. The Lamp cannot guarantee that the issue will always be mailed in time for the listed event.

Special Interest Groups Special Interest Groups is now part of Diary Dates. If you are a special in­te­rest group, you now must send information about your event as above.

Due to high demands on the page, some dates too close to publica­tion or too far in the future may be cut. Only Diary Dates with an advised date and contact person will be published. Diary Dates are also on Nurses Christian Fellowship • Workshop ’Can I Forgive? Abuse in the Workplace’: 21 Aug, 7pm, 5 Byfield St, Macquarie Park. Info: Diana, 9476 4440 • AGM & Lunch: 5 September, 11am, Macquarie Park. Info: Jane, 9449 4868 ’Controversies in Public Health – Lecture Series 2009’ by School of Public Health, Uni of Sydney.

• 9 Sept: Is the genetic revolution over­ hyped? • 12 Oct: Obesity: is the food industry more part of the problem than part of the solution? •19 Nov: Whither primary health care in Australia?

Venue: Eastern Ave. Complex, Uni of Sydney Camperdown, 5.30pm: refreshments, 6–7pm: lecture. Cost: free. Registration & info: www.health.usyd.edu.au

Send us your snaps If you’re having a reunion, send us some photos and any information from the night, and we’ll try to publish them. through the archives of Vanity Fair magazine. Visitors can expect to see many familiar and famous faces in this exhibition depicting the history of celebrity portraiture; ranging from Monet, Amelia Earhart to Arthur Miller and Madonna, Charlie Chaplin and Greta Garbo to Demi Moore and Tom Cruise; for which Canberra is the only Australian venue.

Info and ticketing: portrait.gov.au

NSWNA events NSWNA Committee of Delegates (CODs) meetings: 15 Sept & 17 Nov

Crossword solution

Vanity Fair Portraits: Photographs 1913-2008 5 June–30 August, National Portrait Gallery, Canberra Vanity Fair Portraits traces the birth and evolution of photographic portraiture

NSWNA

Branch Officials’ and Activists’ Training Program

2009

New Delegates Program

Half day, 1pm–4pm for new delegates Tue 15 Sept, NSWNA Camperdown

Negotiation & Advocacy Part 1 Wed 16 September /18 November, NSWNA Camperdown, 9am–4pm for branch officials and activists (1 day).

Negotiation & Advocacy Part 2 ‘The IRC, NMB and You’

Wed 16 September /18 November, NSWNA Camperdown, 9am-4pm (1 day).

Target group: those who have completed the Negotiation and Advocacy workshop in 2008 or Part 1 in 2008.

Full details will be sent to branches via General Secretary Circulars.

For more information contact Vicki Anderson at the NSWNA. Metro (02) 8595 1234 • Rural 1300 367 962

We need Registered Nurses, and we need you now “Going to the NT was one of the best decisions I have made in a long time. I’d certainly recommend it to other nurses to get involved. It’s become a focus for what I want to do with my life.”

Odette, Registered Nurse and RAHC Participant.

RAHC has been established to attract urban-based doctors, nurses, dental and allied health professionals to provide short-term staffing needs for remote Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory. Placements are paid and for as little as three weeks.

J-LAMP-17/08/09

Get involved. Call 1300 MYRAHC or visit rahc.com.au

THE LAMP august 2009 47

Funded by the Australian Government

48 THE LAMP august 2009

THE LAMP august 2009 49

Great legal advice for Nurses Maurice Blackburn are proud to be the lawyers for the New South Wales Nurses’ Association.

Free legal advice#

ARE YOU AN RN (DIV1), AN EN (DIV2), A MIDWIFE, OR A NURSE PRACTITIONER?

YES?

Conditions apply

#

....THEN YOU

Call the Association information line on 1300 367 962

NATIONAL COMPETENCY STANDARDS CODE OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT CODE OF ETHICS

Maurice Blackburn has offices in: Sydney T (02) 9261 1488

Newcastle T (02) 4953 9500

New offices in: Parramatta T (02) 9806 7222

Canberra T (02) 6214 3200

Visiting Offices Camperdown T (02) 9261 1488

Wollongong T (02) 9261 1488

NEED A COPY OF THE :

To download free copies of these and other ANMC publications, as well as keeping up to date on the work of ANMC visit our website:

w w w. a n m c . o r g . a u (02) 6257 7960

Appointments for regional members can also be arranged.

‘Facilitating a national approach to nursing and midwifery regulation’

www.mauriceblackburn.com.au

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52 THE LAMP 2009

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