The Lamp March 2009

lamp the

magazine of the NSW Nurses’ Association

volume 66 no.2 March 2009

BECAUSE WE CARE Print Post Approved: PP241437/00033

Quality care for older Australians

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ABOUT THE LAMP

C O N T E N T S

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.2 March 2009

Because we care ... about aged care 12

BECAUSE WE CARE

Cover

Quality care for older Australians Print Post Approved: PP241437/00033

Rebecca Williams RN enjoys quality time with resident Maria Mezzasalma at St Mary’s Villa.

Photography by Fiora Sacco

News in brief

Industrial issues

8 8

28 New CN/MS Grade 2 comes into effect 29 NSWNA stops $38,000 overpayment claim

8 9 9 9 9 10 10 11 11 11

Breakthrough for practice nurses AMA seeks Medicare rebates for practice nurses NSWNA calls on members to stand against prison privatisation STOP PRESS: Ramsay makes decent offer NT introduces Nurse Practitioner degree Backpackers and grey nomads offered short-term regional nursing jobs New name for NSW Midwives Protesting Filipino nurses cleared in US NZ rules for foreign nurses clarified Expat female nurses in Saudi ordered to cover up Hidden camera found to violate US nurses’ rights Cleaning products get up nurses’ noses

Occupational health and safety 32 Manly nurses demand heat relief

NSWNA matters 34 NSWNA Branch News 36 Filmmaking nurses get pointers from NIDA 37 Go Direct Debit for protection ... and the chance to win a luxury prize

Regular columns 5

Editorial

by Brett Holmes Your letters to The Lamp Ask Judith Books Nursing online Our nursing crossword Diary dates

17 Fairview by name, fair by nature

6 31 42 45 47 49

Special people

Lifestyle

18 Nurses caring beyond duty 20 Support and generosity from nurses

38 Movie reviews

Professional issues

41 Sharyn Louise Foster: energetic and caring 41 Terri Babington: the merry heart

NSWNA education program 11 What’s on

Aged care

23 New nursing award 24 NSWNA assists stranded students 25 EN education changes in NSW

Obituaries Competition 25 Win tickets to Guys and Dolls

Workloads 26 Workloads relief at Coffs

Special offers 40 Win 30 double passes to Easy Virtue and 25 double passes each to Last Chance Harvey and Summer Hours

18

26

34

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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 THE LAMP PRODUCED BY Lodestar Communications T 9560 1223 PRESS RELEASES Send your press releases to: T 9550 3667 E gensec@nswnurses.asn.au 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.

Subscriptions Free to all Association members. Professional members can subscribe to the magazine at a reduced rate of $50.

Individuals $70, Institutions $106, Overseas $116.

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Membership Application forms or Direct Debit forms can be downloaded from our website www.nswnurses.asn.au Alternatively call the NSWNA on 8595 1234 (metro area) or 1300 367 962 (non-metro area) for more information.

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.

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E D I T O R I A L

BY BRETT HOLMES GENERAL SECRETARY

Quality care for older Australians g We’re going to put aged care in a positive light

O

n 17 March the Australian Nursing Federation will launch a national campaign (see page 12), in which the NSWNA will play a major role, to win a fair deal for the aged care sector.

Research commissioned by the ANF indicates that nurses in the sector and residents’ families are one in their thinking about the challenges facing aged care.

They don’t think aged care is sufficiently on the radar of governments and the wider community and that nurses working in the sector deserve better pay and improved staffing levels.

There is a shared concern that there is not enough accountability in the sector and that resources, most of which come from taxpayers, should be used more effectively to deliver quality care to residents.

We want to give a voice to aged care nurses, who deserve recognition and reward for their hard work, and to older Australians and their families who deserve quality care and security. We intend to show aged care in a positive light and put it high on the public and political agenda.

Along the way we want to show the good things about the sector: that nursing in aged care is a highly-skilled discipline and that older Australians still have much to offer society.

We need all nurses – in the public health system, private hospitals and elsewhere – to support this campaign. Our research shows that nurses in aged care often feel their work is not appreciated by nurses in other sectors. This is a chance to

Congratulations must go to the ANF who led a determined campaign to ensure that in the new award modernisation process nursing retained its historical occupational identity.

A petition signed by 7,000 nurses and a letter writing campaign obviously had some effect. The draft still needs to survive a final submissions process, where other unions and aged care employers have already opposed it, but if it clears this hurdle it will be a substantial achievement for nurses.

It will provide nurses covered by the Federal industrial relations system with a good safety net.

Victorian nurses rise to the occasion during bushfires

This is a chance to show that nurses, no matter where they work, will stick up for each other. show that nurses, no matter where they work, will stick up for each other.

Nursing retains its identity in new award process The decision by the Australian Industrial Relations Commission to issue a draft nursing occupational award (see page 23) is one the NSWNA welcomes warmly.

The Victorian bushfires (see page 18) are a terrible calamity that has touched us all. We all feel for the communities down there, especially our colleagues who have lost their homes. We are very proud of the role Victorian nurses played in the emergency response. There were many stories of commitment, selflessness, compassion and professionalism from nurses as they contributed to the emergency response to this tragedy.

As always in these situations there will be an ongoing need for more help, such as blood donations to which we can all contribute.

The NSWNA made a donation of $20,000 to the relief appeal as a contribution on your behalf to help these communities in their hour of need.

If needed, we stand ready to provide further assistance to our colleagues in Victoria.n THE LAMP MARCH 2009 5

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L E T T E R S

Stephen Langford

Concern about Branch resolutions lost I think I was not the only one mystified by three resolutions of our War Memorial Hospital Branch being lost at the Committee of Delegates meeting on 20 January.

Two of the resolutions concerned the NSWNA policy on the giving of medications forcibly to immigration detainees. Firstly, in the policy, they are referred to as ‘illegal’ (or ‘unlawful’) ‘noncitizens’. This terminology for asylum seekers dates from the Howard era, and is wrong and discredited, and I read a letter from Julian Burnside QC that said this.

Still, this resolution was lost.

The second resolution concerned the forcible, ‘non-consensual’ administration of medication to immigration detainees. As a branch, we thought the NSWNA policy was not clear on this. Under the policy, nurses could be giving medication in order that an asylum seeker could be deported to his or her death. This has happened many times, as evidenced by the Edmund Rice report on the matter.

The last resolution lost was advocating the application of the suspended Racial Discrimination Act to the Northern Territory Intervention. Clearly, many delegates believe that when it comes to Australia’s Indigenous people, rights can be suspended at will. This is, after all, Australia’s history.

Would it help if I said my father was a refugee? Would it matter if I said the last branch meeting was largely driven by a nurse from El Salvador? I am still surprised that when the nursing workforce is so multicultural, the view of many of the delegates is so narrow.

The struggle to have our Association take a humane and progressive line in protecting the powerless will go on. If one looks at trade union history, that is one part of what they are about.

Stephen Langford EN

Open letter to the Bega Hospital Branch At our meeting on 27 November 2008 it was tabled and passed unanimously that we, the Pambula Association Branch, 6 THE LAMP MARCH 2009

would like to extend our thanks and appreciation of the public statement

by Bega Hospital Branch calling for the reinstatement and continued maintenance of health services at Pambula Hospital.

We believe the united commitment to the Bega Valley’s Health Services by our combined membership will ensure ongoing, high quality nursing care to the residents of the Bega Valley – across all medical and nursing disciplines.

Thank you once again for your public statement regarding our combined effort in the strong commitment to health provision in the Bega Valley.

NSWNA Pambula Hospital Branch

Helen Crowley

Privatisation of prison system I write about the issue of industrial action by prison officers and the lockdowns at Long Bay jail.

There is a very disturbing issue arising in the prison system. My son is active in the PSA – he is a prison officer at Goulburn. The jails are being very quietly privatised and all officers who are coming into the system are now casual, with no holiday, sick pay or long service leave entitlements.

The officers at Goulburn are, as we speak, under threat of removal/transfer, if they take industrial action. The Government has over 200 cells ready to take the

Promoting OHS at Coledale In October last year we celebrated OH&S week by running competitions around safety in the workplace, with staff asked to identify the 10 highest manual handling risks.

On the last day staff came dressed as their favourite rock star (with special

prisoners from the main jail at Goulburn, leaving 200 officers either out of work or transferred to Long Bay or Cessnock.

The issue really is that officers have basically lost their rights completely, are covertly being denied their right to industrial action and the legislation that has passed through Parliament affects all crown employees so the teachers will be next, and then how long will it take to get to the health sector?

With the privatisation of the jails it becomes a money-making business and corners will be cut and tragedy will happen.

Are we going to let this happen to our colleagues? It will affect nurses working in Justice Health because they will be often working with new unsupervised, inexperienced officers. Prisoners are smart and will target those officers and nurses as often as possible. I have worked in the prison system and there needs to be a high presence of very experienced officers to maintain order and security.

Helen Crowley, CNE, Wyong Hospital Editor’s response: The Association remains opposed to the privatisation of public services. In early February we e-mailed members asking them to sign the PSA’s on-line petition at www.stopthecelloff.org.au. The Association has also been lobbying and meeting the relevant ministers to ensure that the provision of health services within correctional facilities is not privatised. We will continue to assist the PSA in their campaign as we see the privatisation of correctional centres as a threat to the safety of nurses and midwives. As part of this we will be making a submission to the Legislative Council’s Inquiry into the privatisation of prisons and prison services.

appearances by Suzie Quattro and Andy from ACDC), with prizes given for best dressed.

Major prizes where donated by NSWNA and Members Equity Bank, which donated a MP3 player to all hospitals in the Illawarra. A great time was had by all.

Lily Perkins, delegate, Coledale Hospital Branch

LETTER of the month Ruth Guevarra

Thank you for Edith Cavell Scholarship I am writing this letter to the trustees of the Edith Cavell Trust to inform them of my completion of the Bachelor of Nursing course I undertook at the Australian Catholic University. I want to express my deepest gratitude for the monies you awarded me, which helped finance my studies. It was a great help. I will never forget everything you have done to help me realise my greatest dream to become a Registered Nurse in Australia.

Looking back to when I was applying for the scholarship last June, I was so full of hope and dreams. My mother who was overseas in the Phillipines was very supportive of me and hopeful that I would get it. She even prayed for me! She was battling cancer at the time. She did hear of the good news before she passed away on 29 January. She had been my greatest source of inspiration and I want to dedicate this achievement to her.

My university life has been a great journey. It was fun and there were hardships along the way. Nevertheless, I managed to get good grades and a good reputation for my nursing skills in all of my clinical placements. I also had the opportunity to use my nursing skills in a clinic and a major hospital in Vanuatu when I was in my second year. Their hospital system is very basic and they lack even very basic hospital resources such as gloves and soap. So, as students, we had to be creative and resourceful.

It was a great experience for me and for all the other students who went because we learned a great deal. We were so attached to the people because they were very friendly. I also learned to be more compassionate in helping other people – especially the sick and dying – because they were very friendly.

I did most of my clinical placements in Sydney. I did maternity at Blacktown, urology/plastics at Concord, high dependency at Fairfield and aged care at a Parramatta nursing home. I considered this a very good exposure to the different specialities of nursing. I learn and understand more through practice.

I gained so much confidence with my interpersonal and communication skills. I only have one last clinical to do, which is my preceptorship.

I can’t thank the Trustees enough for everything they have done to make my life change. You are part of what I have become and I will never forget that. So I am giving it all back to you. I will make the NSW Nurses’ Association proud of what they have invested in me. I will become a better nurse for all the sick and needy Australians.

Ruth Guevarra, EEN Note from the Editor: The Edith Cavell Scholarship opens again on 1 May 2009 for the academic year of 2010. Watch The Lamp for details.

Delegate’s meeting blocked democratic process As a new delegate I have found debate in our union to be a democratic process, giving branches a voice. There is not always agreement but there is opportunity to bring issues important to branches to a broader debate, and persistence can have positive outcomes.

At the January Committee of Delegates meeting, which was a brief encounter with few resolutions, a branch’s motions were disregarded as unimportant agenda items for nurses.

The NSWNA is both a trade union and a professional association. Our trade union activity enables us to make a significant contribution to advancing nursing over and above professional bodies in NSW. Australian Trade Union achievements make me feel very proud to be in a union. For example, the eight-hour day, collective bargaining and arbitration, our commitment to peace, and the unique

green bans ensuring that our heritage and environment have a future.

The NSWNA has recognised the importance of political process to the wellbeing of the members, the wider Australian community and communities beyond.

Health services, peace, environmental sustainability, fair trade, taxation, refugees, homelessness and social justice are only some of the broader issues that our Union has engaged in on behalf of its members.

It is important that our Union continues to be a voice on key issues that affect us at work, that affect our families and communities, and those more vulnerable.

Branch resolutions and debate within our Union enables this to occur. So to the branches, keep those resolutions coming and let’s debate them, not disregard them.

Antoinette Riley, CNC, Dementia Care (Area), Canterbury Hospital

Every letter published receives a 10-week 7-day trial subscription to the Herald!

Subscribe to the Herald today to save 37% off the newsstand price and enjoy the convenience of the paper delivered to your home each morning.

Visit www.subscribe. smh.com.au/lamp for more details.

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.

THE TROUBLE WITH TUESDAYS

You may be finding it hard to talk to our information officers on Tuesdays. This is because Tuesday is the one day of the week when all our staff are in the office for staff and team meetings. These meetings are essential for information distribution and planning activities.

If at all possible, please don’t ring on this day as there can be considerable delays. But if you need urgent assistance, you will get it.

Our information department receives approximately 900 calls per week, and the phones are ringing hot from 8am to 5.30pm.

We are working hard to meet your needs and thank you for your patience.

Call 8595 1234 (metro) or 1300 367 962 (non-metro).

LETTER of the month The letter judged the best each month will be awarded a $50 DJ’s voucher, courtesy Medicraft, Australia’s largest manufacturer of hospital beds and furniture. For more information on Medicraft products, visit www.medicraft.com.au or call 9569 0255.

THE LAMP MARCH 2009 7

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N E W S I INN BBRRI IEEFF

BREAKTHROUGH

FOR PRACTICE

NURSES he NSWNA and the Australian Medical Association (NSW) have begun a landmark process to achieve fair pay and conditions for nurses within General Practice and Specialist Practice settings.

T

This is a great opportunity for Practice Nurses to work with the NSWNA to achieve fair wages and working conditions across the sector.

NSWNA General Secretary Brett Holmes and the President of the NSW branch of the AMA, Dr Brian Morton, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which will officially set the process in motion.

The MOU recognises the important role of Practice Nurses in enhancing the quality and scope of primary health care services in NSW. The document is timely due to the likely success of the NSWNA’s case for a safety net occupational award for all nurses, irrespective of workplace, which is currently before the Australian Industrial Relations Commission. If successful, this national award will replace the current State award for non-hospital-based nurses in 2010.

This is a great opportunity for Practice Nurses to work with the NSWNA to achieve fair wages and working conditions across the sector. If you are keen to contribute to the process, or would like to know more, please email lmcdonald@ nswnurses.asn.au.

8 THE LAMP MARCH 2009

NSWNA calls on members to stand against prison privatisation

You can sign the Not for Sale petition at www.stopthecelloff.org.au If you have already signed up, why not tell some of your mates about it. You can use the form at: www. stopthecelloff.org.au/refertofriend2.php

The NSW State Government is considering selling off prisons in Cessnock and Parklea (and court transport services) to international corporations. There are no guarantees that Justice Health Services will continue to provide health services inside a private prison either.

The Prison Officers Vocational Branch of the Public Service Association (PSA) is requesting support for their campaign to stop the sell-off.

‘Selling our prisons to corporations will guarantee job losses, lack of scrutiny and transparency, and increased risks for the prisoners and the surrounding communities. Privatised prisons overseas have seen increased numbers of escapes, more assaults on prisoners and guards and higher re-offending rates,’ said the PSA in a media statement.

‘We need to ask the question: who will benefit from the sell off?

Private prisons are run purely for profit, which means higher inmate numbers and cost-cutting measures provide bigger profits and better results on the stockmarket. Is this how we want to run our justice system? NSW prison officers oppose these plans because we do not believe corporations should be trusted with a fundamental part of the justice system.

‘We have a small but critical window of opportunity while the government is deciding. They need to hear that our jails are not for sale – loud and clear.’

AMA seeks Medicare rebates for practice nurses The AMA has asked the Federal Government to expand the list of tasks practice nurses can perform under Medicare.

In its pre-budget submission last month, just prior to the release of the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission report, the doctors’ peak lobby group asked the Government to allocate $50 million a year for Medicare rebates to cover practice nurses who manage patients’ chronic health problems on a doctor’s behalf.

The submission also recommended that nurses providing screening services be covered by the scheme and that eligibility for lump-sum grants be widened to encourage GP practices to employ more nurses.

ANF National Secretary Ged Kearney said the Federation supported anything that maximised nurses’ potential but stressed the AMA’s proposal fell short of that potential. She also suggested the Government introduce a block grant system for GP practices to employ nurses rather than Medicare-based funding.

The AMA’s submission states that while 65% of GP surgeries employ a nurse, the rural and outer-metropolitan subsidy grants are too small to cover nurse’s wages, and that increasing the number of nurses would ‘deliver greater benefits to patients’.

STOP PRESS NURSE NT INTRODUCES

PRACTITIONER

DEGREE harles Darwin University (CDU) and the NT Government have announced a new Master of Health Practice (Nurse Practitioner) degree designed specifically to assist practising nurses to work in the challenging NT environment.

The two-year, part-time Masters program recruits only practising nursing and midwifery health professionals with at least three years’ clinical experience and a graduate diploma level qualification in their speciality area.

It will enable NT registered nurses to upgrade their skills to the nurse practitioner (NP) level.

The program is the first of its kind in the NT and course co-ordinator, CDU Professor of Nursing (Clinical Practice), Sandra Dunn, said the qualification has been created in response to a direct request from the NT Government.

‘The Government has now moved into phase three of the Intervention where they are actually trying to address the gaps that have been identified,’ she said.

‘The Government has recognised that there is not only a lack of health professionals in the NT, but there is also a lack of health professionals experienced in working in remote communities.

‘The idea of the new course is to “grow our own” by taking Territory-registered nurses already experienced at working with indigenous people, and therefore skilled in the cultural sensitivity and appropriate practice that goes alongside that, and advancing their skills to nurse practitioner level.

‘That way, on completing the course, they can hit the ground running and get straight out into the more remote areas and help those in need.’

C

As The Lamp went to press, Ramsay Healthcare made a final offer to their private hospital nurses and midwives, which the NSWNA believes is worthy of consideration.

The offer contains pay increases of: c

3% from 1 January 2009

c

1% from 1 April 2009

c

3.9% from 1 January 2010

c

3.75% from 1 January 2011.

The agreement would expire on 1 July 2011. It would give Ramsay nurses and midwives a 12.14% increase over 34 months.

In addition, Ramsay is offering a new skills allowance of $25 per week at

Backpackers and grey nomads offered short-term regional nursing jobs While Australia’s health system struggles to cope with an estimated shortfall of 13,000 nurses, Catholic hospitals have commenced a campaign offering shortterm contracts to travellers.

Backpacking graduates and caravanning retirees are being encouraged to register with the program.

Backpacking graduates and caravanning retirees are being encouraged to register with the program, Nurse the Nation, which matches short-term hospital and aged care vacancies with qualified nurses who are travelling throughout Australia.

With more than 1000 vacancies across its 70 regional hospitals and clinics, the private health service has launched a website it describes as part travel guide and part employment agency, in an attempt to fill the gaps.

Level 1 and $35 a week at Level 2.

This is a new allowance to recognise higher qualifications held by nurses that are used in their current role.

On-call allowances will be also significantly increased.

Ramsay said they would meet and discuss night shift penalty rates when the decision of the NSW Industrial Relations Commission was known, and Parental Leave when the Federal Government policy was known.

NSWNA members in Ramsay facilities will meet at the branch level over the next few weeks to consider the offer. A ballot of nurses will be conducted in March.

Nurse The Nation creator, Caroline Hudson, Executive Director of People and Learning at Mater Health Services Brisbane, said the initiative is unprecedented in Australia.

‘We are very excited about the potential for Nurse The Nation to help nurses further their careers and earn some money while travelling,’ she said.

‘We’re trying to attract those people who might otherwise not seek to work as a nurse at a time when we are critically short of nurses.’

Nurses can apply for temporary jobs at more than 50 participating hospitals and aged care facilities throughout Australia and New Zealand.

New name for NSW Midwives The NSW Midwives Association has changed its name to the Australian College of Midwives – NSW Branch Incorporated, effective immediately.

Formed in 1903 as a sub-branch of the Australian Trained Nurses’ Association, the NSW Midwives Association, in conjunction with midwives’ associations in Victoria and South Australia, formed the first branches of the Australian College of Midwives in 1987.

THE LAMP MARCH 2009 9

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N E W S I INN BBRRI IEEFF

NZ rules for foreign nurses clarified Following complaints and confusion surrounding NZ’s tough new rules for overseas nurses, the Nursing Council of New Zealand has now posted the guidelines on its website.

According to the New Zealand Herald, some industry professionals had criticised a lack of transparency in the council’s registration process for foreign nurses and accused it of profiteering from the $A390 fee it now charges to assess the eligibility of nurses trained overseas.

‘I have asked the Nursing Council to work with the Ministry of Health on a range of workforce issues to help ensure there is a good-quality nursing workforce,’ NZ Health Minister Tony Ryall said.

‘We discussed a number of issues, and they include compliance costs for nurses and English language requirements.’

Concern had been raised, particularly by nurses from non-English speaking

countries, that the new guidelines required a higher level of English language competency than university entry requirements.

Protesting Filipino nurses cleared in US Ten Filipino nurses working at a US nursing home who were arrested for resigning en masse in protest of staff and patient conditions were exonerated last month.

The nurses were charged with conspiracy and child endangerment after they quit their jobs in April 2006 without notice. In a bizarre twist, their attorney was also arrested and charged with criminal solicitation for advising them to resign.

The nurses contended that no patient was ever in danger and one nurse told The Associated Press she stayed four hours past the scheduled end of her shift to ensure that the patients received proper care.

The four-person Appellate Court said in its 13-page decision that the

charges constituted ‘an impermissible infringement upon the constitutional rights of these nurses and their attorney’.

The court found the nurses had discharged their duty of care correctly and the charges violated the nurses’ 13th Amendment rights that protect against ‘involuntary servitude’.

‘The charges constituted “an impermissible infringement upon the constitutional rights of these nurses and their attorney”.’ US Court Amid allegations of political influence, the district attorney responsible for the prosecution declined to comment.

On the matter of the charges against the nurses’ attorney, the court described it as ‘more than a First Amendment violation. It is an assault on the adversarial system of justice’.

NURSES! Celebrate International Nurses’ Day on

Saturday 9 May 2009 at Luna Park In recognition of the wonderful work nurses do Luna Park is offering members and their families

Classic Unlimited Rides Passes at $29 per person* To book contact: 02 9033 7600 • 1300 244 867 www.lunaparksydney.com (click on “Whats On”) All you need to do is give your credit card details and quote your membership number.

* Limit of 10 passes per person.

Children under 85 cms free.

Authorised by Brett Holmes General Secretary NSWNA

Luna LAMP Park Half.indd 10 THE MARCH 12009

25/2/09 10:28:33 AM

Expat female nurses in Saudi ordered to cover up The Saudi Ministry of Health ruled last month that all female nurses must now wear a government approved full-length coat and headscarf at all times while working, whether in public or private hospitals.

Abdulrahamn Al-Sahafi, public relations manager for the Jeddah Health Affairs, told the Saudi Gazette that although some expatriate nurses working in the Kingdom have objected to wearing head coverings – complaining they infringed on their personal freedom – most nurses have previously complied.

‘We still want to ensure they wear the coat and scarf,’ he said.

‘Each hospital, whether private or government, has a religious education department. These departments inform us whether the nurses are following this decision or not.’

The Ministry hopes the rule will improve Saudi’s nursing shortage, which has been exacerbated by the fact many families discourage daughters from studying nursing because of the ‘mixed work’ environment.

Saudi nursing student at King Abdulaziz University, Rua Madani, agreed with the decision.

‘When I had started to study nursing my family refused. Now wearing something that looks like an abaya but with a different color will convince them that all the Islamic rules are applied at work,’ she told The Gazette.

A Saudi nurse working at King Faisal Specialist Hospital said the decision will give Saudi women more opportunities to work as nurses.

‘Such decisions are good but people need to know that these coats are like abayas, allowing women to work freely without being concerned with exposing their bodies,’ she said.

Hidden camera found to violate US nurses’ rights A US judge ruled last month that a hidden surveillance camera installed in a nurses’ break room was a violation of their federal labour laws.

The camera, installed last year, was described by management as ‘harmless’, though the California Nurses’ Association said it represented management spying on nurses in an effort to see things like who may be reading union brochures.

Management at the hospital in Marysville, US, has been accused of a string of anti-union tactics in the local media.

The judge ordered management to post a notice about the violations at the workplace and provide assurances that they will be not be repeated.

The judge’s decision also directed management to meet and bargain with the union, to stop interrogating employees about union activities, and backpay one nurse who lost regular scheduled shifts because of her union activity.

One nurse at the facility said the cameras clearly discriminated against nurses’ rights and the judge’s decision will help nurses to continue their contracts to provide better health care.

Cleaning products get up nurses’ noses Frequent exposure to hospital cleaning products and disinfectants greatly increases nurses’ risk of asthma, according to US research studying 3,650 Texan health care professionals – including 941 nurses.

According to the Washington Post, researchers found that nurses regularly exposed to cleaning products and disinfectants were 72% more likely than other health care colleagues to report being diagnosed with asthma since starting their job, and 57% more likely to report symptoms similar to asthma.

The findings, published online in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine last month, found nurses who regularly cleaned medical instruments were 67% more likely to have newly-diagnosed asthma, and those working with solvents and glues used in patient care were 51% more likely to report symptoms similar to asthma.

Nurses who used powdered latex gloves before the year 2000 were 6% more likely to have newly diagnosed asthma.

‘Substituting cleaning agents with environmentally-friendly “green chemicals” and using appropriate personal care protection could help minimise occupational exposures in this professional group,’ the authors suggested.

s Appropriate Workplace Behaviour 23 March, Camperdown, 1 day Topics covered include understanding why bullying occurs; antidiscrimination law and NSW Health policies; how to behave appropriately in the workplace; identifying behaviour that constitutes unlawful harassment and bullying; what to do if subjected to unlawful harassment and bullying; how to use workplace grievance procedures; identifying, preventing and resolving bullying.

Members $85 • Non Members $170 s Legal & Professional Issues for Nurses 3 April, Wagga Wagga, ½ day Topics covered include the Nurses and Midwives Act 1991, potential liability, documentation, role of disciplinary tribunals including the NMB, writing statements.

Members $39.00 Non Members $85.00 s Practical Leadership Skills for Nurse Unit Managers 21 April, 26 May, 23 June, Camperdown, 3 days A 3-day workshop specifically designed to meet the leadership needs of nurses.

Members $250.00 Non Members $400.00 s Leadership Skills for the Aged Care Team 22 April, 25 May, 24 June, 22 July Camperdown, 4 days A 4-day workshop specifically designed to meet the leadership needs of nurses working in aged care.

Members $320.00 Non Members $480.00 s Computer Essentials for Nurses 27 April, Concord, 1 day Seminar is suitable for all nurses.

Members $85.00 Non Members $170.00 s Basic Foot Care for RNs & ENs 29 & 30 April, Wagga Wagga, 2 days A VETAB accredited course that aims to provide nurses with the competence to provide basic foot care.

Members $203.00 Non Members $350.00

TO REGISTER or for more information go to www.nswnurses.asn.au or11ring THE LAMP MARCH 2009 Carolyn Kulling on 1300 367 962

s

C O V E R S T O R Y

Nurses have greater autonomy in aged care but more accountability for money is needed After 40 years in aged care nursing, Lucille McKenna is still enthusiastic and still has a sense of humour – a crucial ingredient in the makeup of any aged care nurse, she says.

As a Director of Nursing, Lucille is familiar with the joys and challenges of aged care nursing, and also with what is needed to attract and retain more staff.

‘Every day is different; you never know what the day will hold,’ she said.

‘An advantage of aged care nursing is greater autonomy for RNs. There’s not the same debilitating bureaucracy as in the hospitals.

‘In terms of problems facing the sector, it all comes back to accountability: accountability for the money that is spent, for the care that is given, and for the working conditions of the staff. The continual dumbing down of the skills mix, with fewer and fewer registered nurses, is a real issue. RNs want to work where they can do their job, and they can’t do their job when they have to care for 150 residents.

‘Another issue is corporatisation.

When I began my career, aged care was a cottage industry; nursing homes were mostly owned by local families, or sometimes by one of the doctors or nurses. Now it is a big industry, with many publicly-listed companies owning nursing homes. But nursing homes should not be run in the interest of shareholders and, on a government level, I believe the government needs to listen more to those who actually work in aged care,’ said Lucille.

12 THE LAMP MARCH 2009

Because we care … about aged care g ANF launches major campaign to put aged care in the national spotlight and give aged care nurses the recognition they deserve.

‘Your union is standing up for aged care.

We will be leading the charge to address issues facing nurses and residents in aged care.We will be giving voice to aged care nurses who deserve recognition for their hard work and to residents and their families who deserve quality care.’ Brett Holmes

I

n the nursing profession, aged care is often perceived as the poor cousin to the public health system. With lower wages, inadequate staffing and skills mix, misperceptions about their role and work by other nurses, and the negative portrayals of aged care in the media, it’s little wonder aged care nurses feel undervalued and unrecognised for their hard work caring for older Australians.

In March, the ANF will launch a major campaign to address issues facing nurses and residents in aged care in Australia. All ANF branches, including the NSWNA, have joined forces to develop a major, very focused national campaign to put aged care high on the political and public agenda.

NSWNA General Secretary Brett Holmes said, ‘Your union is standing up for aged care. We will be leading the charge to address issues facing nurses and residents in aged care in Australia.

‘We will be giving voice to aged care nurses who deserve recognition for their hard work and to residents and their families who deserve quality care.’

Over the next two years leading up to the Federal Election, the campaign has been designed to put pressure on the Government to address issues essential to raising the value and ensuring the

CAMPAIGN GOALS FOR QUALITY CARE The ANF aged care campaign has been designed to achieve goals to address the issues facing nurses and residents in aged care in Australia: c Improved staffing levels and skills mix to ensure quality time can be provided to each resident so nurses can attend to the individual needs of residents; c Recognition and rewards for aged care nurses through better pay and conditions; c Increased accountability so that Government funding is directly tied to the provision of care; c Greater community awareness of aged care issues and a more positive image of aged care.

delivery of quality aged care in Australia.

This includes increasing accountability in the allocation of funding and improving staffing levels.

Continue on page 14 THE LAMP MARCH 2009 13

s

C O V E R S T O R Y

Lack of public awareness about aged care Anne Catley has worked as an RN in aged care facilities since she came to Australia from England when she was 24. Even after nearly 40 years in aged care, Anne still loves her work. ‘You meet some fantastic characters, some really gorgeous old people,’ she said.

However, Anne is worried about the ageing nurse population in aged care.

‘Most of the RNs are in their 50s or 60s,’ she said.

Anne suggests that aged care nursing should be included in university nursing curriculums, and she says that pay and working conditions must improve if younger nurses are going to work in aged care.

Anne is also concerned about the lack of public awareness of what aged care nursing is.

‘People want the best for their parents, but until they are put in that position, the public do not realise the care involved in looking after the aged,’ she said.

Because we care … about aged care From page 13 The campaign aims to build alliances with aged care providers and community stakeholders to address issues also essential to quality care and raising the professionalism of the sector, such as better pay and conditions to attract qualified and experienced nursing staff.

The campaign also aims to raise awareness of aged care issues in the general community and build a more positive image of the profession.

Campaign based on evidence To guide the development of relevant objectives, policies and approach for the campaign, the ANF and NSWNA commissioned extensive research to ascertain issues and attitudes to aged care by aged care nurses, the community and residents’ families.

Qualitative research was conducted with aged care nurses and residents’ families.

Valuing aged care nurses

Anne Catley, RN 14 THE LAMP MARCH 2009

An important aspect of the campaign is giving aged care nurses the recognition they deserve.

‘Your union will be working to achieve recognition and reward for aged care nurses. This will be a major priority

for the ANF and NSWNA over the next two years,’ said Brett.

The campaign aims to increase understanding within the nursing profession, and by their employers, the community and government of the real nursing role of aged care nurses.

‘Recognition of the important nursing role of aged care nurses is behind the Union’s push for improved wages and conditions in the aged care sector, and for adequate staffing by qualified nurses in aged care facilities,’ said Brett.

‘Aged care nurses play an outstanding and interesting role caring for older Australians. With an ageing population, residents in aged care facilities have increasingly more complex care needs that require high levels of professional nursing care.

‘Highly qualified and committed NSWNA members choose to work in aged care because they love older people and they love their work. They see their work as immensely rewarding and enjoyable. Aged care nurses are very proud of their profession.

‘We want to share their stories with other nurses and the community and

Filomena Iakopo, AiN, from St Mary’s villa

Nursing more attractive with Increased pay Greg Storm, 34, is an AiN at Booroongen Djugan Aboriginal Nursing Home, Kempsey. Before making a career change eight years ago, Greg worked as a sand-blaster, but he finds nursing more rewarding, and enjoys the employment stability it provides.

‘It’s lovely when somebody from the community picks you out from a crowd and says hello. Families really appreciate the work we do,’ he said.

Greg has three young sons, so he also appreciates the flexible hours aged care nursing allows him.

highlight the interesting roles and career paths in aged care,’ said Brett.

Improving staffing levels and skills mix The research revealed the need for adequate staffing levels and licenced workers as the most important issues for nurses and residents’ families.

‘Nurses and residents’ families reported that the sector needs to have minimum staffing levels and skills mix to ensure quality time can be provided to each resident, so nurses can attend to the individual needs of residents,’ said Brett.

‘Nurses also tell us we need to ensure that aged care is delivered by licenced nursing staff to elevate the professionalism of the aged care sector.’

be recognised through fair pay and conditions,’ said Brett.

‘Bargaining for a new Union Collective Agreement is one way to improve your wages and conditions.

‘The more aged care nurses in the Union, the greater our bargaining power.

We need to increase membership in the aged care sector to increase our capacity to negotiate better pay and conditions.

‘Over the past five years, the NSWNA has worked with our aged care members to achieve significant gains in pay and conditions,’ said Brett.

‘But we have a long way to go. We need to close the wages’ gap so aged care nurses are paid the same as their public health system colleagues,’ said Brett.

‘But to achieve pay parity, more aged care nurses need to join the Union.’

Recognising aged care nurses through improved wages and conditions

Increasing accountability and transparency

The campaign research also revealed that aged care nurses feel they deserve better pay and conditions.

In NSW, registered nurses in aged care are paid up to $144 less each week than public sector nurses. Yet, they have undertaken the same training and education and have equivalent nurse qualifications, experience and workloads as public sector nurses.

‘Aged care nurses deserve to

The focus groups also reported that greater accountability and transparency in the aged care sector is required so that government funding is directly tied to the provision of care.

‘The NSWNA believes a clearly defined proportion of funding needs to be allocated to staffing or direct services. And residents need to be allocated a set number of hours of staff time, according to the level of care they require,’ said Brett.n

‘My better half is a nurse at Booroongen Djugan, too. Before the boys began primary school we just used to see each other at the nursing home gate, but now we often do shifts together, which is great,’ he said.

Greg suggests the best way to attract more men to the nursing profession is to increase the pay. ‘If the pay rate was a bit better, more people – men and women – would be more likely to consider aged care nursing,’ he said.

Greg Storm, AiN THE LAMP MARCH 2009 15

s

C O V E R S T O R Y

Research reveals

Aged care nurses are doing a great job g New research commissioned by the ANF and NSWNA shows strong support among the families of aged-care residents for better pay and increased staffing in the sector.

Q

ualitative studies conducted among aged care nurses and residents’ families show a convergence of opinions about the state of the sector and the formidable challenges it faces.

Residents’ families do not believe governments see aged care as a high priority issue compared to others such as the economy, housing and health in general. They do not see a sufficient number of staff in aged care facilities for the amount of taxpayers’ money that is channelled into the sector.

This is an opinion shared by nurses.

Aged care nurses believe they should be paid what a nurse in a public hospital is paid and recognise that better pay could help with the quality of service to aged care by keeping more nurses in the sector.

This opinion is shared by residents’ families.

Dedication to the job Aged care nurses told researchers their key motivation for working in the sector comes from the personal satisfaction of caring for residents.

Many see their job as satisfying, rewarding and allowing them to make a real

difference to people’s lives through the clinical and emotional care they provide.

‘I love it. You don’t do it for the money, you do it for the love and joy of it,’ said one aged care nurse.

And another: ‘You’ve got to have expertise in so many areas to be a nurse in aged care.’

Yet, many aged care nurses feel the work they do is not recognised or sufficiently valued by Australian society.

This, they say, is linked to perceptions that staffing levels are inadequate, pay rates are low, the sector is underfunded and the often negative portrayal of the sector in the media.

This lack of recognition extends beyond the public. Nurses in aged care often feel their work is seen by nurses in other sectors as ‘not challenging’ and that they are not seen as ‘real nurses’.

A growing gap between sector reality and residents’ family expectations Aged care nurses noted that families’ expectations are changing and many families expect facilities to be ‘hotel’ standard.

Nurses see it as a difficult challenge to meet

these expectations particularly with current resources and staff-to-resident ratios.

The research reports that staffing levels are impacting on the capacity of the sector to deliver care. Understaffing has increased workloads for many aged care nurses. The combination of workload and responsibility for resident care leaves some nurses burnt out, with high rates of staff turnover and workplace stress.

Families expect fixed ratios of nurses to residents to be standard regulation and already in place, although no such regulation yet exists.

‘You’ve got to have the staff to cover the worst case scenario. You just can’t have the bare minimum,’ said one.

Despite these issues, residents’ families have a positive attitude to aged care nurses who they see as dedicated and caring people who are able to put up with difficult jobs they would not want to do themselves. Many feel the community doesn’t appreciate aged care workers.

‘They’re run off their feet. There is not enough of them (nursing staff),’ said a family member.

‘Caring people, people-people, overworked and underpaid,’ said another.n

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s

A G E D C A R E

Fairview by name, fair by nature g Petition by nurses helps win a new Union Collective Agreement at Fairview Retirement Village.

N

urses at Fairview Retirement Village in Moree voted unanimously to endorse a new Union Collective Agreement with their employer, locking in pay and conditions for the next three years.

Moree Care for the Aged Association offered nurses a new agreement that delivered 3.5% per annum for three years, and improvements to conditions such as nine weeks’ paid maternity leave.

The new agreement is based on the template agreement developed by the not-for-profit employer group Aged and Community Services Assoc (ACS), the NSWNA and HSU. Many hundreds of nurses are now covered by ACS template agreements negotiated by the NSWNA. Like many other aged care nurses, nurses at Fairview were under a Notional Agreement Preserving a State Award (NAPSA) prior to the Agreement, and had had no proper pay increase other than minimum wage increases since 2005.

NSWNA Assistant General Secretary Judith Kiejda said the process of achieving a new agreement at Fairview shows that

‘Our agreement at Fairview just shows that if you get together and ask for something, you can get it. If you don’t ask, you won’t get it.’

Caroline Moore

if members are united and approach their employer as a group, they can achieve what they want.

‘Even nurses working for smaller, stand-alone facilities in regional areas can still get organised and work together to get a good agreement that protects pay and conditions,’ she said.

EEN at Fairview, Caroline Moore, said, ‘The NSWNA Organiser visited members at work and suggested nurses get together to ask our employer for an agreement. We held a meeting where we agreed to present a petition to management.

‘Thirty people signed the petition

HOW YOU CAN GET AN AGREEEMENT LIKE FAIRVIEW’S AGED CARE NURSES

MANAGERS/CEOs

NSWNA members can call the Association for free, confidential advice on 8595 1234. Start talking to your colleagues about all signing a request for a Union Collective Agreement. You can use the Association’s petition form or make your own.

If your organisation is an ACS member, the work has been done for you. You qualify for free, hands-on support to offer your staff the recommended model Union Collective Agreement.

You can get a ‘how to’ guide for implementation and personalised advice by phoning Aged Care Services NSW on 8754 0400.

Come to the Association’s free, one-day workshop about collective agreements and pay rises. Call Tim Shaw on 8595 1234 to register for the next workshops: Sydney, 27 March and 15 June; Newcastle, 1 April; and Parramatta, 15 May.

and management came back quickly indicating they wanted to negotiate a new agreement. Our CEO Brett Arthur was keen to show that he appreciated staff.

‘Everyone is very happy with the agreement. It provides better recognition for EENs. I’ve been an EEN for three years. Previously, I was only getting medications allowance if I was doing a medications round. Otherwise, I was just paid at EN rates, even though I had the extra qualifications,’ said Caroline.

Fairview CEO Brett Arthur told The Lamp negotiating the agreement with nurses and the NSWNA was an easy, smooth process, with assistance from ACS. ‘We’d been planning to negotiate a contract with nurses for a while. The petition by nurses confirmed that management and nurses wanted the same thing.

‘The Organiser from the NSWNA was available to support nurses and give any information and assistance they required.

I also kept my door open for discussion,’ he said.

‘We had a 100% “yes” vote for the agreement. I see this as a sign that people are very happy,’ said Mr Arthur.

Caroline Moore has a message for other aged care nurses: ‘It’s worth getting together and asking your employer for a new agreement. Our agreement at Fairview just shows that if you get together and ask for something, you can get it. If you don’t ask, you won’t get it.’n THE LAMP MARCH 2009 17

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SPECIAL PEOPLE

Katherine Harland (left) and Leeanne Roberts worked with Kate Alexander at the make-shift community clinic they established to treat locals after the bushfire.

Nurses caring beyond duty g Nurses and midwives across Australia have been shocked and saddened by the fires that swept through Victoria on Saturday, 7 February.

Hundreds of ANF and NSWNA members were personally affected and many ANF members continue to work tirelessly at the frontline. The Lamp spoke with Elizabeth Foley and Kate Alexandra about their experiences of Black Saturday and its aftermath.

E

lizabeth Foley is a nurse and public policy expert with the Australian Nursing Federation. Her home in Wallan, only 45 kilometres from Melbourne’s CBD, was singed by one of the blazes, but escaped the main firestorm on the whim of the wind, which changed direction to devastate nearby Kinglake. The next stop on the train after Wallan is Wandong, where many people perished. Her sister and cousin both lost their homes in another of the fires in Marysville.

‘It’s amazing how widespread the 18 THE LAMP MARCH 2009

devastation is. Entire towns have been destroyed, and of course nurses are a part of every community. They are involved in the emergency response, treating people whenever they can, but they also have to deal with their own situation, their own loss,’ said Elizabeth.

In Kinglake, nurses and fire fighters reportedly broke into the local doctor’s surgery, after the fire had past, to gather oxygen and medical supplies to treat people on the street. The State Emergency Services building, where community medical supplies were kept, had burned down.

‘Unless nurses are physically injured

themselves, they will help those around them,’ said Elizabeth, ‘and certainly there are nurses from Melbourne volunteering to help in any way they can.’

Kate Alexander, RN and midwife, is testament to this. After being evacuated from her home in Whittlesea, at the foot of Mt Disappointment, Kate drove to the local community centre to see if she could help. She quickly organised a community clinic, and worked there non-stop for the next 10 days.

When Kate arrived at the community centre there was a St John’s Ambulance first-aid officer attending to the public.

‘It was chaos, but everybody wanted to help.

My daughter got everything I needed to start the clinic from local pharmacies, and local GPs came to help too, but it was very improvised to begin with. I had to send people away to shower so I would know what was burn and what was just black.’

Kate Alexandra

He happened to be there because of a country music festival, but when he left at the end of his shift, Kate was left to treat people by herself. After making a list of what she would need, she sent her 19year-old daughter to get medical supplies while she attended to the wounded as best she could. Local people were presenting with infected eyes, asthma, smoke inhalation, burns – including severe sun burn, cuts and bruises, and dog bites.

(Many people had tried to save dogs from the fires. Frightened, the dogs had bitten the hands that tried to save them.)

‘It was chaos, but everybody wanted to help,’ said Kate. ‘My daughter got everything I needed to start the clinic from local pharmacies, and local GPs came to help too, but it was very improvised to begin with. I had to send people away to shower so I would know what was burn and what was just black,’ she said.

On the following Monday morning, Kate spoke on ABC radio asking for help and equipment. She was quickly inundated with offers from nurses, doctors and pharmaceutical companies, and other

clinics were subsequently established in several neighbouring towns.

At Kate’s Whittlesea clinic there were 10 nurses, some locals, others who travelled from Melbourne and Bendigo – all of them volunteers. The nurses worked long hours, but nobody wanted to leave, said Kate.

‘We all wanted to stay with the people and help, and there was a lot of good humour and spirits to keep us going. One man, about 50 years old, said he was happy because all his ear-hair had disappeared in the intense heat. His wife was delighted, too,’ said Kate.

The clinic treated about 90 patients a day. After the first few days, people started arriving with other conditions, such as mouth ulcers and cold sores.

There were also several pregnant women, all concerned for the health of their babies. Kate went to a local hospital and brought a Foetal Doppler to the clinic so parents could hear their baby’s heartbeat.

‘Their relief was huge. The mothers might have been able to feel the baby kicking, but just hearing the heartbeat was a big reassurance,’ she said.

Kate is still recovering, and she wakes up at midnight with an instinctive urge to do something.

‘It will take a long time to get back to normal. I don’t think things will ever be quite normal,’ she said.

On Sunday, 22 February, Kate laid a wreath at Melbourne’s memorial event in Rod Laver Arena, on behalf of all the nurses who worked in the fire relief effort.

‘It was a bittersweet event, but I know we all did a really good job running those clinics. Four of us were single mothers, but we made it work, and

I know a lot of other nurses have done, and are doing, a great job,’ she said.

Hospital nurses in Melbourne were also among the first professionals to respond to the crises. Burns, Theatre and Intensive Care Wards were inundated with casualties from the fires, many of them in a critical condition. Up to 10 nurses have been needed for every bed – such is the acuity of the treatment needed.

Many burns patients will be hospitalised for six months or more, and will be outpatients for several years. As the patients deal with the physical and emotional traumas of the massive, sudden changes in their lives, nurses will often be the first people to respond to the pain, the tears, the anger, and the fears.

Mental health nurses will also have an important and ongoing job in the months and years to come. With such widespread desolation, and so much to be rebuilt, there will be many people whose injuries are less visible than those of burns victims, but no less serious. It is not just homes that need to be rebuilt, but lives.

A week after the fire, Elizabeth Foley’s sister returned to Marysville with a busload of locals to see what was left of their town.

They were not allowed to leave the bus, as the area was still considered a crime scene.

‘The affects of this disaster are going to be long lasting,’ said Elizabeth.

‘A lot of people will be traumatised by the events, and they will need help.

There will be a huge role for mental health nurses. I think what will be needed is not just static facilities where people can go if they want to, but mobile teams of mental health professionals who can make themselves available to the communities,’ said Elizabeth.n THE LAMP MARCH 2009 19

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20 THE LAMP MARCH 2009

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NURSES GETTING ACTIVE

Support and generosity from nurses

Nurses from Summit Care’s Elizabeth Gardens nursing home generously donated to the devastated Victorian communities.

DONATION FROM NSWNA The NSWNA has donated $20,000 to the Australian Red Cross as part of the nation-wide fire relief effort.

T

he fundraising response to Victoria’s Black Saturday fires has been astonishing, and inspiring. Across Australia, individuals, groups and corporations have donated over $100 million to the Australian Red Cross fire relief fund.

Summit Care, which owns and runs eight nursing homes across Sydney, has made a corporate donation of $5000, and is encouraging its staff, as well as its residents and their families, to donate to the fund.

Ruth Whiting, AiN and branch official at Summit’s Elizabeth Gardens Nursing Home in Liverpool, said nurses have been quick to respond to the needs of the devastated Victorian communities.

‘Empathy is something that nurses have in spades, so we have all been very sad to see the news reports about the suffering in Victoria. A lot of people had been donating to the fund,’ said Ruth.

General Secretary Brett Holmes said the NSWNA has been deeply shocked by the scale and impact of the Victorian bushfires. ‘Many NSWNA officials and members have family members and friends who have been affected and we extend our deepest condolences to these colleagues.

‘While the tragedy is one of the worst in Australia’s history, it has also brought out true spirit of nursing.

Nurses have rallied both individually and at work, to help the many Australians caught up in the fires.

‘I commend the Victorian nurses who are working on the frontline, and also those who are waiting on standby to confront the fires first hand as

The CEO of Summit Care, Cynthia Payne, had a special motivation to encourage a broad fundraising effort, having lost family members in a house fire in 1997.

‘As someone who has lost four family

volunteer fire fighters. I also commend nurses who have made financial and blood donations to help those who have lost so much,’ said Brett.

The $20,000 donation will go towards the needs of the individuals and communities affected in the fires. An independent panel made up of community leaders will allocate the funds according to need, says the Red Cross.

The NSWNA has also encouraged its employees to donate blood during working hours, and its members to do so whenever they can. On the Monday following the Black Saturday fires, the Red Cross received over 6000 offers for blood donations.

However, the burns patients will need transfusions for a long time to come, and it is important that such generosity continues.

members in a fire, I can only feel intense sadness for the families in Victoria, and it will take some time for the full impact to be fully appreciated. Donating money is a practical way for people in NSW to help,’ said Cynthia.n THE LAMP MARCH 2009 21

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PROFESSIONAL ISSUES

New nursing award g Nursing retains its identity in new Federal Nursing Award

A

strong campaign by nurses to retain nursing work in a federal occupational award has paid off with the Australian Industrial Relations Commission issuing a draft nursing award as part of the award modernisation process.

Nursing union members throughout the country pushed hard through annual conference resolutions, a petition to AIRC signed by over 7000 members and letter writing campaigns to maintain a nursing occupational award.

‘The AIRC interim decision recognises and values nursing as a profession and respects the history of nursing awards.’

NSWNA General Secretary Brett Holmes

This on-the-ground activity was backed up by a joint advertising campaign conducted by ANF with the Australian Services Union to highlight the threat

to some awards in female-dominated occupations including nursing. The ACTU supported the ANF position.

Award modernisation is the latest component of the Federal Government’s remake of the industrial relations landscape that started with the abolition of WorkChoices and continued with the implementation of fairer workplace laws.

The award, if it is retained in its current form, would cover all nurses in the federal system including those in aged care and private hospitals. It would also cover public health system nurses in states such as Victoria which have handed over their IR powers to the Commonwealth.

A good safety net The new award, combined with the Federal Government’s minimum entitlements enshrined in the new workplace laws, will provide a basic safety net for nurses.

NSWNA General Secretary Brett Holmes says the AIRC interim decision recognises and values nursing as a profession and respects the history of nursing awards.

‘The Commission’s decision continues the important principle of paying nurses for skills and educational qualifications rather than on the basis of who their employer is,’ he said.

A BROAD DEFINITION OF NURSING WORK The new draft award has a broad interpretation of nursing work.

Under the new award nursing care will mean: c Giving assistance to a person who, because of disability, is unable to maintain their bodily needs without frequent assistance; c Carrying out tasks that are directly related to the maintenance of a person’s bodily needs where that person, because of disability, is unable to carry out those tasks for themselves; and/or c Assisting a registered nurse to carry out the work described in the RN classification description.

‘The new award provides a good safety net for the profession but if we want to improve pay and conditions we will still have to maintain our strength as a union in order to bargain effectively.’

The next step in the process before the award becomes effective is final submissions for and against the award, due to be heard by the AIRC on 23 February.

The ANF will try to improve the award and make it the best safety net possible.

School nurses have been excluded, for no apparent reason, and the ANF has asked that they be included.

Employers are expected to continue their arguements for nurses to be covered JANUARY 2010 by seperate industry award such as aged care and private New award hospital awards. comes The AIRC is scheduled into effect to finalise the award early in April and it will come into effect on 1 January 2010.n

THE TIMELINE FOR THE FEDERAL NURSES’ AWARD

23 3 31 1 FEBRUARY 2009

APRIL

DECEMBER

AIRC hears submissions for and against the draft new award.

Commission issues final award

Transitional NAPSA awards expire

THE LAMP MARCH 2009 23

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PROFESSIONAL ISSUES

After an initial scare, Bachelor of Nursing graduates (from left) Andrew Joseph, Henry Dizon, Micherine Alo, Carlo Farol and Maria Abela celebrate their official registration.

NSWNA assists stranded students g Frustrated graduates turn to NSWNA to get their registrations through.

A

nother bureaucratic oversight by universities has delayed the registration of approximately 20 graduating nursing students.

According to the Nurses and Midwives Board (NMB), it had no choice but to delay the students’ registration based on an unapproved bridging course provided by the universities some two years prior. The course gained the EENs advanced standing towards their degrees.

In a similar situation reported in The Lamp last year, 50 nursing graduates who had successfully completed degrees were refused registration for failing to meet the English language requirements for NMB registration.

It was this situation that alerted the NMB to potential deficiencies in the university credit system, forcing it to 24 THE LAMP MARCH 2009

demand full transcripts of degrees from students – which in-turn revealed the current unapproved bridging course.

As most of the graduates had resigned their previous positions as EENs, and were about to commence new jobs dependant on their registration, they were caught in a frustrating ‘Catch-22’ situation.

The Lamp. ‘When they told me it involved the bridging course from two years earlier I became extremely frustrated.

‘They said there was nothing they could do about it at the time. After speaking to others in the same boat we decided to ring the NSW Nurses’ Association.

‘We didn’t know where we stood and

‘When I got the SMS text from the NSWNA saying it was all fixed, I straight away looked up the online registry and there I was! I can’t tell you how good that felt.’

Because the graduates were NSWNA members, they were able to get assistance resolving the problem.

Henry Dizon, now an elated RN, is a former EEN who completed his degree at the University of Western Sydney last year.

Henry was due to start work in the mental health unit at Westmead Hospital as an RN but when he turned up to the NMB with his transcripts, paperwork and documents to finalise his registration he was told he wouldn’t qualify.

‘I was completely shocked,’ he told

no one knew what to do. The NSWNA officer was wonderful. She took it on and from that day kept us fully informed.

‘The NSWNA asked our new employers to keep us on until they had resolved the issue – which was really lucky for some who had quit their previous EEN positions but could not yet start as RNs. ‘It all came together in the nick of time. When I got the SMS text from the NSWNA saying it was all fixed, I straight away looked up the online registry and there I was! I can’t tell you how good that felt,’ said Henry.n

EN education changes in NSW g From next year, those undertaking government-funded EN education should have access to a new model.

T

he move by NSW Health to bring Enrolled Nurse education into line with the rest of the country has caused considerable confusion.

Sensational media reports of aspiring nurses’ dreams being permanently quashed are seriously ill informed and mostly wrong.

The bottom line is that those intending to undertake government-funded EN education in the future should have access to a new model from next year.

According to NSW Health, public funding for EN education in NSW will now most likely be offered through the Department of Education and Training.

The changes mean that the Trainee Enrolled Nurse intake in April 2009 will be the last under the current delivery model where trainees are employed throughout their 12-month course. NSW Health will maintain the contract with TAFE NSW until these trainees complete their course in April 2010.

NSW has been the only state in the country with an employment model of education for ENs. All other states and territories have what is known as ‘pre-

service education’, where students go to TAFE (or another approved education provider) for theory and attend placements in hospitals for their clinical learning, much like the Bachelor of Nursing course.

The implementation of the national Certificate IV, Diploma and Advanced Diploma EN qualifications in 2007-2008, provided NSW Health with, in their view, a logical opportunity to bring EN education in NSW in line with all the other states and territories. If pre-service EN education works in other states and territories it should be able to work in NSW. But a lack of understanding around the complexity of funding arrangements and the way EN education operates in other states and territories has resulted in considerable confusion about the future of enrolled nursing in NSW. The key point, misunderstood by many in NSW, is that NSW Health is confident that government subsidised places for EN education will remain – as they do in all other states and territories (alongside a range of full-fee paying options), though funded through their respective education departments rather than their health departments.

So while it appears the full-fee course is the only remaining option for future EN education in NSW, the fact is that situation is unworkable and most likely temporary.

There are a variety of complex funding mechanisms at state and federal levels that could be made available for EN education in NSW but these will take time to access and implement successfully.

The move to pre-service education for ENs in NSW is significant and will gradually alter the shape of the nursing workforce in many of our hospitals. From 2010, there will be no more TENs in the system. NSW Health’s Nursing and Midwifery Office expects to see more EENs in the system as the changeover occurs.

And while change is always challenging, the NSWNA is optimistic about the future of enrolled nursing in NSW. The NSWNA will continue to work with NSW Health, TAFE NSW and other key stakeholders, such as employers, education providers and the NMB, to ensure clear information is available for members and to assist in the continued delivery of quality EN education in NSW. Regular updates on EN education will continue to be published in The Lamp.n

All Seasons Port Stephens Salamander Shores Hotel Why not indulge yourself and your loved ones with a one, two or three night Seaside Escape at All Seasons Port Stephens Salamander Shores Hotel. Enjoy a quiet beverage whilst sitting on your balcony taking in the beautiful views before moving onto the Shoreline restaurant to have wonderful dining experience.

All Seasons Port Stephens Salamander Shores Hotel is offering all nurses, and their family and friends, a red hot discounted rate for 2009.

Book a garden view room starting from $89* per night twin-share midweek and $119* per night twin-share weekend, plus a bonus complimentary upgrade (subject to availability).

To make a booking, please call our friendly reservation team on 02 4982 7210 and mention this special offer.

For further information, please visit our website www.salamandershores.com or email your enquiry to bookings@salamandershores.com

*Exclusions – not available over Long Weekends, School and Public Holidays. Based on garden view room.

THE LAMP MARCH 2009 25

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W O R K L O A D S

Workloads relief at Coffs g Nurses at Coffs Harbour Hospital win an extra full-time RN in the busy High Dependency Unit, following application of the Reasonable Workloads Tool.

N

urses at Coffs Harbour Hospital are celebrating a significant workloads win, gaining a desperately needed full-time RN in their High Dependency

Unit (HDU).

Branch members have been battling the North Coast Area Health Service (NCAHS) for almost three years since a RCA (Root Cause Analysis) into a critical incident at the unit in 2006.

After a concerted campaign by NSWNA branch members, who applied the workloads tool to the HDU staffing situation, the unit now has one extra FTE registered nurse for the evening shift.

NSWNA Assistant General Secretary Judith Kiejda reminds members that all public health system nurses have a legal 26 THE LAMP MARCH 2009

right to reasonable workloads under their Award.

‘The win in Coffs Harbour highlights how the Reasonable Workloads Tool can be used to assess and address excessive nurse workloads,’ she said.

‘Nurses know when they are overloaded but the tool gives them solid evidence, which can then be taken to the Reasonable Workloads Committee at their workplace – the first step to addressing excessive nurse workloads.’

‘In the middle of 2008, nurses rallied together at a branch meeting and were committed to one fact – that we could no longer provide the required care for the patients in the HDU with the current staffing on the evening shift.

‘We passed a resolution at that meeting, which was supported by the Reasonable Workloads Committee yet was still denied by the NCAHS.’ Only the threat of industrial action last month, including a public rally and

‘HDU nurses were so busy they felt like they were just skimming across the top of their duties and weren’t able to do their jobs properly.’ Coffs Harbour Hospital Branch President Sue White Coffs Harbour Hospital Branch President Sue White said the HDU nurses in the unit are very happy with the outcome, describing it as a great win for staff and patients.

‘The extra RN has made such a difference to our ability to deliver quality patient care in the HDU,’ she told The Lamp.

‘We re-apply the workloads tool every six months and it has been telling us the same thing for some time now. HDU nurses were so busy they felt like they were just skimming across the top of their duties and weren’t able to do their jobs properly.

refusal of new admissions to the HDU, spurred the NCAHS to finally act.

‘The nurses on Surgical Ward fought consistently through out the process, attending many meetings, often in their own time. They worked together, supported each other and were focused that this was a position that we had to have to give satisfactory care to patients. Nurses did not want to be disruptive or close beds.

However, they knew they had to be able to care for patients properly,’ said Sue. Branch member Cameron McMillan,

C O M P E T I T I O N Relieving NUM, Liz Allen (seated), and fellow Coffs Harbour Hospital members celebrate their workloads win after a long battle with the NCAHS.

WHAT IS THE REASONABLE WORKLOADS TOOL? The workloads tool is a computer program that provides a framework to measure what is a safe and reasonable workload.

Designed by a task force including NSWNA representatives and Nurse Unit Managers, it is based on patient morbidity statistics and an analysis of casemix DRGs (diagnostic related groups) – the top diseases that come into a ward during a year.

A sharp, new, sexy and contemporary production of Guys and Dolls is showing at the Capitol Theatre from March 6 for 12 weeks only. This musical theatre classic stars Lisa McCune, Ian Stenlake, Marina Prior, Garry McDonald, Shane Jacobson and Magda Szubanski.

Set in 1940s New York, this smash hit show features many hit numbers including Luck Be A Lady, Sit Down You’re Rocking the Boat, Guys and Dolls and the spectacular Havana dance number.

It was first introduced into NSW State hospitals in 2004 and its use as a benchmark tool, in conjunction with Reasonable Workloads Committees, was written into the nurses’ Award in the same year.

Go to www.guysanddollsthemusical.com.au for more info.

The Reasonable Workloads Tool guides the decisions of Reasonable Workloads Committees, which are now established in all public hospitals as a result of pressure from the NSW Nurses’ Association.

The Lamp is offering members the chance to win two A reserve tickets to the production on a date of your choice, with a VIP backstage tour after the show PLUS an overnight stay at the Sofitel Sydney with breakfast and parking included.

‘The Perfect Musical’ The Australian

There are also three runner-up prizes of double passes to see Guys and Dolls during the Sydney season.

RN, said nurses were ‘over the moon’ after years fighting for proper staffing at the HDU. ‘The nurses in the HDU care for some of the sickest people in the hospital. The critical incident was very upsetting for staff and NCAHS’s failure to address that hasn’t helped.

To enter simply write your name and Nurse Registration Number on the back of an envelope and send it to: Guys and Dolls Competition PO Box 40, Camperdown.

‘Nurses know when they are overloaded but the tool gives them solid evidence, which can then be taken to the Reasonable Workloads Committee at their workplace – the first step to addressing excessive nurse workloads.’

SPECIAL OFFER FOR NSWNA MEMBERS

NSWNA Assistant General Secretary Judith Kiejda

‘We now have an extra RN on the evening shift, which has made life easier for the HDU nurses but we still need to address workloads on the morning and night shifts that are just as busy.

‘The extra RN now frees the In-Charge nurse to cover the administrative duties,’ he said.

Fellow branch member and relieving NUM Liz Allen agreed, warning staff were still ‘playing catch-up’ on the morning, night and weekend shifts.

‘The bottom line here is all about safe patient care. The extra RN has been really positive for the ward but we are still short.

‘When I spoke to the Garling Inquiry I made it quite clear that to look after patients properly and safely we needed the right staffing levels and the correct skill mixes.’n

Competition closes 23 March 2009.

Members can buy A Reserve tickets on any Tuesday–Thursday evening during the season at $79.90, a saving of $20 on normal adult tickets. There are three easy ways to book: 1. Online at www.ticketmaster.com.au by keying in Guys and Dolls at the top of the page and then look for the NSW Nurses’ Association special offer. All you have to do is key in your password NURSES and choose any Tuesday–Thursday 7.30pm performance from 17 March to 28 May. 2. By phoning Ticketmaster on 1300 723 038 – just ask for the Nurses offer and quote the password NURSES. 3. In person at the theatre box office or any Ticketmaster outlet.

Ask for the Nurses offer and quote the password NURSES.

THE LAMP MARCH 2009 27

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I N D U S T R I A L

I S S U E S

New CN/MS Grade 2 comes into effect g Following a hard fought campaign for the recognition of advanced practice nursing – which was won in the public sector pay and conditions agreement last year – a new CN/MS Grade 2 has come into effect.

DONs and nurse managers need to move urgently to take advantage of this rare opportunity.

C

N/MS Grade 2 is a new classification with a twoyear pay scale for employees providing complex care requiring advanced clinical skills and exercising extended autonomy in decision making.

Up to 1,000 FTE positions will be created and filled in the next few months where nurses and midwives can show advanced practice is required. CNS Grade 2 is an appointed position, not a personal grade.

It is expected that most of the successful applicants for the new roles will be nurses currently graded CNS and RN 8.

The new grade was developed to recognise that there are nurses and midwives operating at a higher level of practice than CNS, but below that of the CNC grade.

This now means an easier career pathway to CNC, designed to reward nurses who specialise in their clinical stream.

The first step in the process of establishing CN/MS Grade 2 positions has now been completed. Approximately 250 positions, totalling 229 full-time

DOES YOUR POSITION QUALIFY FOR AN UPGRADE? THE CRITERIA ARE: Clinical Nurse/Midwife Specialist (‘CN/MS’) Grade 2 means: a Registered Nurse/Midwife appointed to a position classified as such with relevant postregistration qualifications and at least three years experience working in the clinical area of their specified postgraduate qualification.

The CN/MS Grade 2 classification encompasses the CN/MS Grade 1 role 28 THE LAMP MARCH 2009

equivalent positions have been identified

by Area Directors of Nursing and approved by the Health Department and are expected to be filled by March under the transitional arrangements detailed in PD2008_044, which can be downloaded from www.health.nsw.gov.au A further number of CN/MS Grade 2 positions have been proposed by the Area Directors of Nursing & Midwifery. A/DONs should review their 2008 proposals to check that they are submitting all possible advanced practice positions eligible for creation or upgrading. These will be assessed by the Health Department in a second round to be finalised by mid-March.

Once those positions have been processed, any individual who believes their role fits the criteria, but has not yet been identified, will be given the opportunity to have their position considered for regrading by the Health Department. The Association will distribute more information about this next month.

Funding based on the cost of regrading 25% of the current CN/MS criteria and is distinguished from a CN/ MS Grade 1 by the following additional role characteristics: c Exercises extended autonomy of decision making; c Exercises professional knowledge and judgement in providing complex care requiring advanced clinical skills and undertakes one of the following roles: a) leadership in the development of nursing specialty clinical practice and service delivery in the ward/ unit/service; b) specialist clinical practice across a small or medium sized health facility/sector/service;

MAKE SURE YOUR SERVICE GETS ITS FAIR SHARE OF CNS 2 POSITIONS DONs: The money is guaranteed and quarantined to create up to 1,000 FTE positions. It’s critical that you review your proposals to date and resubmit urgently if there are more incumbent nurses whose positions should be upgraded or there are new CNS 2 advanced practice roles that you wish to create.

NUMs:

Make sure you’ve submitted your proposal to create CNS 2 positions for your unit. These can be for existing positions, or a new position at an advanced practice level.

nurses and midwives (up to 1,000 CN/ MS Grade 2 positions) has already been guaranteed by the Health Department.

It’s critical that nurses and midwives work together to ensure the commitments won in our wages and conditions agreement are fulfilled. If you are practising at the advanced level then you deserve to be rewarded. If your specialty area, and your facility, has a fair number of CNS Grade 2 positions created, then NUMs and Nurse Managers will have a stronger opportunity to attract and retain experienced clinicians.

There is only one chance to access the guaranteed funding for these new roles and that is now. After the initial creation of up to 1,000 positions in mid2009, any further applications for a CNS Grade 2 role will need to be created and funded from recurrent budgets.

For more information, visit: www.nswnurses.asn.au or contact your Organiser on 85951234.n c) primary case management of a complete episode of care; d) primary case management of a continuum of specialty care involving both inpatient and community based services; e) an authorised extended role within the scope of Registered Nurse/Midwifery practice.

Incremental progression to the second year and thereafter rate shall be upon completion of 12 months satisfactory full-time service (or pro rata part-time service).

For more information on the CN/MS Grade 2 criteria visit the Association website: www.nswnurses.asn.au

NSWNA stops $38,000 overpayment claim g You can imagine the shock a Tamworth nurse felt when she received a $38,000 bill from her employer, the Hunter New England Area Health Service (HNEAHS).

T

he nurse, who had been working as a CNC at Tamworth Health Support Services since 2004, was stunned when the HNEAHS billed her $38,000 for overpaid wages.

The HNEAHS claimed she should have been paid at the lesser RN Year 8 rate for overtime worked during that period.

After referring the matter to their debt recovery department, it appears the

health service intended to commence legal proceedings against her to recover the alleged overpayment.

To rub salt into the wound, the HNEAHS then alleged she was also overpaid for ‘in charge of shift’ allowances as well.

‘It was a nerve-wracking experience.

Thank goodness for the NSWNA, they were amazing,’ said the nurse, who preferred to remain anonymous.

The Association argued in the IRC that it was both contrary to the Award and unfair, according to the Industrial Relations Act, for an employee to be paid a lower rate of pay during periods of overtime.

Furthermore, it was argued that even if the money was paid to the nurse by mistake, a previous High Court ruling makes it clear that such monies may not need to be repaid if they were paid voluntarily, or the recipient changed his/her circumstances in reliance upon the money.

In the face of these arguments, the HNEAHS dramatically reduced the size of their claim and entered into negotiations with the Association.

‘It was very stressful. At one stage the health service was talking about trade-offs when, really, I only wanted to keep what was, in effect, mine,’ she told The Lamp.

‘I am so grateful for the Union’s fast and efficient support. It can get so hard, I’m past fighting and I was emotionally exhausted – but the union officers continued to fight on my behalf’.

‘I highly recommend all nurses maintain their membership – you just never know when you’ll need the support.’

NSWNA Assistant General Secretary Judith Kiejda said any members who received demands from their employer for the repayment of money paid to them by mistake should contact the Association immediately.n

THE LAMP MARCH 2009 29

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www.genevahealth.co.uk 30 THE LAMP MARCH 2009

s

Q & A

ASK

JUDITH

WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR RIGHTS AND ENTITLEMENTS AT WORK, NSWNA ASSISTANT GENERAL SECRETARY JUDITH KIEJDA HAS THE ANSWERS.

Suitable position after injury I am an injured nurse working in the public health system. I have been on suitable duties for over six months and my doctor has advised me that I may not be able to return to my previous position.

I have heard my employer has a responsibility to find me a suitable position that accommodates my restrictions. Is this true?

Yes, employers do have an obligation to make every effort to accommodate injured workers and find them a more suitable position.

Section 49 of the Workers’ Compensation and Injury Management Act 1998 places the onus on the employer to provide suitable employment for injured workers. The alternate employment should be, ‘as far as reasonably practicable, the same as, or equivalent to, the employment in which the worker was at the time of the injury’.

An employer will be relieved of this obligation if: (a) It is not reasonably practicable to provide employment; or (b) the injured worker voluntarily leaves the employment before or after the injury happened; or (c) the employer terminates the worker’s employment for reasons other than that the worker was not fit for employment as a result of the injury.

Section 3.2 of the Department of Health Policy Directive; Recruitment and Selection policy and Business Process – NSW Health Service

2006/059 also provides in part: ‘Where occupational illness or injury prevents a member of staff from returning to the duties of his/her existing position, workers’ compensation legislation requires that, as far as practicable, every effort is made to place the staff member into another more suitable position of similar grading, classification and remuneration.’

The policy goes on to say, ‘the possibility of placing such staff to vacant positions, either temporarily or permanently, should be explored prior to opening the position to competitive recruitment’.

If your employer withdraws your suitable duties or threatens to terminate your employment without complying with these requirements, you should contact the Association for further assistance.

Sleep day What is a sleep day, and do I get penalty rates if a sleep day falls on a weekend shift?

Technically, there is no definition in the Award for a ‘sleep day’. However, there is provision to have a paid day off if you have done so much overtime that you will not get your required eight or ten-hour break (depending on your award/agreement) before your next shift.

For example, if you have worked an evening shift on a Saturday and are asked to stay back for an overtime shift on Saturday night that does not finish until 7am Sunday morning, and you are rostered to work again from 7am that morning, then you will not be getting your required eight-hour break before the next shift.

If this occurs, then you should be released from duty after completion of the overtime shift until you have had your eight-hour break, but should still be paid for the shift.

You will not get penalty rates for the Sunday shift but will be paid at your base rate.

This is sometimes misinterpreted as a ‘sleep day’.

Is second paid maternity leave at full or part-time pay?

I am working in the public health system as a full-time RN on a seven-day rotating roster. I have returned to work on reduced hours after having 12 months off on maternity leave. I returned to work on reduced hours in November 2008 and have fallen pregnant again; the expected delivery date is August 2009.

Please advise me if I will be paid my full-time rate or the part-time rate when I go off on maternity leave in August.

Clause 34 (xv) of the Public Health System Nurses and Midwives (State) Award states in part: An employee who commences a subsequent period of maternity leave during the first 12 months of a return to duty for less than full-time hours as provided under subclause (i)(c) of Part D of this clause is entitled to be paid at their substantive full-time rate for the subsequent period of maternity leave.

Therefore, as you will be going off on a second period of maternity leave, you will be entitled to the 14 weeks’ paid leave at your substantive full-time rate.n

THE LAMP MARCH 2009 31

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OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

Manly nurses demand heat relief g Melting ice blocks put the spotlight on hot working conditions at Manly Hospital.

N

SWNA members gave away 300 ice blocks to staff and the public outside Manly hospital last month to draw attention to hot working conditions in poorly ventilated wards.

In anticipation of a blisteringly hot weekend, the Manly NSWNA Branch approached local management with a series of conditions in line with occupational health and safety requirements and recommendations, which consider working temperatures above 25˚C as potentially unsafe.

At 10.30am on 6 February, thermometers in the un-air-conditioned wards were reading 27.2˚C; by midday ice blocks were melting in sticky hands; and by the afternoon management had agreed to the nurses’ requests.

These included the right to wear cotton theatre scrubs or appropriate mufti instead of hot polyester uniforms, access to bottles of cold water, and 10minute breaks every hour. Portable air conditioning units and fans have been installed in patient areas. However, following an inspection by the NSWNA, Assistant General Secretary Judith Kiejda raised questions about where the more bulky machines might fit, and whether the hospital’s old buildings would cope with the extra power demand.

Manly Hospital RN, CNC and Branch Secretary Beverley Brady said the overriding issue is the lack of maintenance and refurbishments of Northern Sydney’s old hospitals.

‘There has been no money for maintenance because of the planned new hospital in [nearby] French’s Forest, but even if that goes ahead, we still have to care for patients for at least the next five years while the new hospital is built,’ said Beverley.

The ‘ice-block action’ was a response to a recent decision to keep doors closed and windows slightly ajar in two Manly Hospital wards, following the suicide of a patient who jumped out a window.

32 THE LAMP MARCH 2009

HEAT PUTS YOU

AT RISK

Jenni Knox RN and Sheridan O Neill RN stock up on a little heat-relief outside Manly District Hospital.

Heat-stress can be dangerous. Some symptoms to look out for include: c c c c c c c c c

dizziness; headaches; fainting; cramps; nausea; weakness; low blood pressure; high body temperature; heat rash.

Other OHS issues that nurses should consider in hot weather include the increased risk of patient violence because of discomfort and increased irritability, and the likelihood of injuries during manual handling as a result of slippery, sweaty hands.

Temperatures reportedly rose to as high as 36˚C inside the suffocating wards.

The hospital plans to install security grills over the windows in mid-March, but until then the hospital’s natural cooling system, based on the airflow from sea breezes, will be ineffective.

NSWNA OHS Officer Trish Butrej said such stuffy conditions go against government regulations.

‘To comply with the Building Code of Australia, wards must have either effective air-conditioning or open windows equivalent to 5% of floor area to allow air circulation. Buildings without adequate airflow should not be occupied,’ said Trish.

Temperatures can rise above 25˚C even in air-conditioned areas at Manly Hospital, according to Beverley Brady.

‘The Manly NSWNA branch is in discussions with management about longterm strategies to deal with heat.

‘The ice-block action was about

Eleanor Smith EEN escapes the hospital heat during her lunch hour to hand out ice blocks.

supporting nurses going into an uncomfortable weekend of work, and making conditions more favourable for them. Nurses at Manly Hospital now feel free to have a short rest each hour, in a cool space, without being bullied,’ said Beverley.

It’s going to get hotter Now is the time to make sure that hospitals and nursing homes are effectively cooled and ventilated in hot weather because, according to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM), summers are only going to get hotter.

The extreme heat-waves experienced in South-Eastern Australia this summer will soon be an annual event, according to a recent BOM study. If nurses are to avoid taking to the streets with ice blocks every summer, more thought will have to be given to infrastructure, investment, and work safety.

The best way to cope with heat is to escape it. On extremely hot days, school principals have the discretionary power to send students home but, unfortunately for nurses, workloads increase with

Branch Secretary Beverley Brady CNC discusses heat issues with the media

temperature, and so too does the likelihood of suffering heat-stress at work.

Sydney has an average of 176 heatrelated deaths each year, mostly among elderly and infant populations, according to the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).

However, this is estimated to rise to more than 400 in the next 20 years as the average number of days above 35 degrees

‘Keeping the sun out is the key.

Shading walls, especially west and northfacing walls can have a significant cooling effect. Awnings, lattices and reflective glass all provide good shade,’ said Kevin.

‘It is also crucial that walls, roofs and floors are insulated, since 40% of heat is conducted through these surfaces.

Flow-through air is important, although on very hot days it is important that

At 10.30am, thermometers in the un-air-conditioned wards were reading 27.2˚C; by midday ice blocks were melting in sticky hands; and by the afternoon management had agreed to the nurses’ requests. doubles. The incidence of heat-related illness, tropical disease, infection, and emergency responses to bushfires, are also expected to rise sharply.

In addition to air conditioning, CSIRO climate scientist Kevin Hennessy suggests a number of ways to keep hospital wards and nursing homes cool.

windows facing the wind are kept shut.

The last thing you want is a blast of hot hair in your face,’ he said.

Other simple steps can help nurses stay cool. The most important of which is to drink lots of water. In hot weather nurses may need one litre of water per hour, just to avoid dehydration.n

WORKING

IN HEAT Although there are no specific guidelines for maximum temperatures at work, nurses have the right to demand the following conditions when temperatures rise to, or above, 25˚C: c

c c c c

adequate airflow (airmovement speeds should be 0.15–2.5 metres per second); cool rest areas; at least 10 minutes’ rest for every hour worked; plentiful, cold, drinking water; appropriate clothing, preferably loose fitting and cotton based.

Nurses should fill out an IIMS report for any heat related incidents, and seek workers compensation if necessary.

THE LAMP MARCH 2009 33

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N S W N A M A T T E R S

NSWNA Branch News

around the state have g NSWNA members unities orkplaces and comm w r ei th in sy bu en be w patients, forming ne d an es rs nu r fo g tin advoca rs, welcoming new be em m ng si ni ga or , branches rally w members and gene nurses, signing up ne ove naturally – caring ab do es rs nu t ha w g in do of duty. and beyond the call

Branch Members from Belmont Hospital near Newcastle welcome new graduates Amy Lord and Melissa Ward to their team.

Inaugural branch executive members celebrate the recent formation of their NSWNA Branch at Grenfell Multi-Purpose Health Service.

34 THE LAMP MARCH 2009

Maitland nurses Allison Mann RN and Leanne McPherson EEN enjoy lunch in the sun at a BBQ last month to celebrate the branch’s successful email campaign to recruit members.

In three years the branch has almost doubled its membership.

It’s official! UWS nursing graduate Tabitha Lammi celebrates her nurse’s registration at an NSWNA BBQ at UWS’ Campbelltown campus last month.

NSWNA officers talk to undergraduate nurses at Nepean District Hospital during a BBQ to celebrate the launch of Associate Professor Bradon Ellem’s report on the Your Rights at Work campaign on the first anniversary of the Federal Election.

NSWNA members joined with Pambula residents protesting the downgrading of clinical services at Pambula Hospital on the South Coast.

Shirley Ross Shuley (Blue Mountains QACAG), Sheila Wood (Retired RN) and Hazel Gosling RN at the cocktail party to launch the Central Coast chapter of the Quality Age Care Action Group (QACAG).

NSWNA branch members: (from left) Jeffery Hay RN, Judy Bright RN and Ros Brown NUM at Royal Newcastle Hospital sign up new member, Sharon Broadbent EEN.

Community and NSWNA members united with staff and former detainees of Keelong Juvenile Correctional Centre in Unanderra in December last year to protest the planned closure of the facility.

THE LAMP MARCH 2009 35

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N S W N A M A T T E R S

s r te in o p t e g s e s r u n g in k a m Film g Fourteen aspiring filmmakers attended a NIDA workshop to learn some professional tricks and techniques in preparation for the inaugural International Nurses’ Day Short Film Festival in May.

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ourteen nurses/aspiring filmmakers attended a workshop at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in January in preparation for the Association’s inaugural International Nurses’ Day Short Film Festival in May. The two-day workshop run by renowned local filmmaker, Maia Horniak, was organised by the NSWNA to help equip the nurses entering the contest with the technical know-how to tell their stories.

Maia took the fledgling filmmakers through all the basics of filmmaking 36 THE LAMP MARCH 2009

including filming, editing, sound recording and music soundtracks.

Nurses came from as far afield as Mudgee, Coffs Harbour and Murrumburrah to join eight metropolitan colleagues in what was described by all as a brilliant crash course in filmmaking.

Jacqueline Sherry RN from Redfern Community Health was impressed at the level of creativity among her peers, particularly the range of genres they were undertaking.

‘I’m just doing a doco but one of the others is using horror, another comedy and someone’s even doing a sci-fi film!’ she said.

‘Maia was a great teacher. She was very thorough considering there was so much to cover in just two days.

‘We learnt a lot about technique and process but what helped me most, having made a short film before, was the pre-filming processes. It’s amazing how much there is to think about for one little sequence.

‘I’m filming right now but I’ll have to take a week off to edit the film. The workshop really helped – well, I think it did,’ she said modestly.

‘We’ll see once we get it on screen,’ she laughed.

Maia was equally impressed with the diversity of storytellers at the workshop.

‘It was fantastic to work with these people who brought in so much life experience,’ she told The Lamp.

‘They were all incredibly receptive, great collaborators and really stood up

Go Direct Debit for protection … and the chance to win a luxury prize g Jean Wood decided to go Direct Debit to ensure she always has union protection – a surprising upside was winning a luxury prize to the Park Hyatt on Sydney Harbour.

Jacqueline Sherry, Julie Millard, Leah Beddie, Tonya Wasley and Neil Healey learn professional tricks and techniques from renowned local filmmaker Maia Horniak.

Direct Debit prizewinner, Jean Wood RN, from Orange Base Hospital

from NIDA

to the challenge – their openness, curiosity and good-hearted natures are, I suppose, typical of nurses.

‘And they all had great stories to tell. It was such a pleasure to be able to give them the technical stuff to help them tell those stories.

‘I really hope I get the chance to see the finished products,’ she said.

Sponsored by First State Super, the festival will be held on 13 May 2009 during the week of International Nurses’ Day at NIDA’s Parade Theatre, Kensington.

With $9000 in prize money up for grabs, it should prove to be a night to remember and one well worth putting on your calendar.

After the Sydney screening, the festival will be taken on the road in conjunction with NSWNA Regional Roadshow visits.n

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SWNA’s latest Direct Debit winner Jean Wood RN got the surprise of her life when told she’d won the luxury prize of two nights at the prestige Park Hyatt’s Opera Room right on Sydney Harbour.

‘I didn’t even know I’d entered the draw!’ she said.

Jean had switched to Direct Debit to pay her NSWNA membership simply on the basis of convenience.

‘I’m over here from the UK on a fouryear working visa and I’m loving it. I’ve always been in the union, as a matter of course, regardless of where I am,’ she said.

‘In this profession you just never

know when you will need the protection, or just the support for that matter.’

‘The Direct Debit just seemed a safer and easier way to do it. I think it is a great safeguard to keep your membership current – especially if you are moving around from workplace to workplace.’

Jean specialises in surgical and orthopaedic nursing and is currently working at Orange Base Hospital in central NSW. ‘I’m planning to take the prize around my birthday in July so I can get away from the Orange winter,’ she said.

Which begs the question: how does an Orange winter stack up for this Yorkshire girl?

‘Oh, I can’t tell anymore now I’ve acclimatised, other than to say it’s bloody cold here in winter!

‘I’m so happy about the prize.

I think I could do with a little pampering,’ she laughed.

Jean’s friends would be wise to get in her good books now as she and a friend get to spend two fabulous days and nights at the Park Hyatt with stunning harbour views including breakfast and $200 towards dinner at the hotel’s Harbour Kitchen and Bar, plus a $150 spa voucher.

The next Direct Debit prize to be drawn in June is a breath-taking eightday holiday to Tasmania. To be in the running, simply switch to Direct Debit to pay your membership fees, convince a colleague to switch, or sign up a new member using the Direct Debit method.n THE LAMP MARCH 2009 37

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L I F E S T Y L E

OUR REVIEWERS & TIPSTERS RECEIVE A DELIGHTFUL

ABC CLASSICS CD

Easy Virtue g A film with incisive insight into the often odd behavior of the English upper classes. Easy watching from the director of Priscilla Queen of the Desert.

FOR UPLIFTING ENJOYMENT! 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.

Review by Cheryl Tompson, RN, Tweed Hospital

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asy Virtue is a film that will appeal to those who enjoy the romance of old Hollywood film making. It will also bring enjoyment to those who, like me, enjoy a bit of a camp, melodramatic take on the idea of a period comedy of manners. Based on a Noel Coward play of the same name produced in the 1920s, this 93-minute film is directed

by Stephan Elliot, who also directed the comedy Priscilla Queen of the Desert.

The film’s direction and production

are both superb, as is the cast of talented actors. They accomplish, within the first scenes of the movie, clear characterisations that leave the viewer in no doubt about the tensions about to unfold.

Jessica Biel plays Larita, an unambiguous sexy, sassy American who weds an immature English toff in a whirlwind romance. When they return to his family’s country estate, she confronts a way of life that horrifies her in its stuffiness and self aggrandisement. The family of in-laws are equally dreadful, with Kristin Scott Thomas leading the charge as

GIVEAWAYS FOR NSWNA MEMBERS LAST CHANCE HARVEY Academy Award winners Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson reunite in Last Chance Harvey, a hopeful romance that celebrates new beginnings—at any age.

On the verge of losing his job as a jingle writer, New Yorker Harvey Shine (Dustin Hoffman) goes to London to attend his daughter’s wedding, only to learn his

Veronica, the insufferably self-important mother-in-law. Scott Thomas’ imperious face is the key to her character, and she uses it to great effect against her new daughter-in-law, ensuring Larita is made to feel as uncomfortable as possible.

Veronica’s husband, played with relish by Colin Firth, has the lion’s share of the best dialogue in the film. His witty responses to the nonsense going on around him, as Veronica and her two daughters enter into a battle of wits and witticisms with Larita, make the film shine. Noel Coward was well known for his incisive insight into the often odd behavior of the English upper classes, and in this film the director has managed to expose those same oddities with classy performances and beautiful English settings.

The film is visually beautiful, verbally witty and it ultimately says quite a lot about how seemingly civilised people can be ugly and brutal. But it also left me with the definite feeling that honesty and true love will, probably, prevail. That’s not a bad feeling.n Easy Virtue opens on 12 March.

ACADEMY AWARD

DUSTIN HOFFMAN ACADEMY AWARD

daughter has chosen to have her stepfather (James Brolin) walk her down the aisle.

Devastated, he leaves the reception early but still misses his plane. When he calls his boss to explain, he is fired on the spot.

Drowning his sorrows at the airport bar, Harvey strikes up a conversation with Kate (Emma Thompson), a 40something whose life is limited to work, the occasional humiliating blind date and endless phone calls from her smothering mother (Eileen Atkins).

®

WINNER

EMMA THOMPSON ®

WINNER

Kate is touched by Harvey, who finds himself energised by her intelligence and compassion.

The growing last chance connection HARVEY between the pair inspires both as they unexpectedly transform one another’s lives.

Last Chance Harvey opens on 26 February.

“A film that will touch heart and lift your your an unexpected spirits... moviegoers justgift to we need it most.”when Pete Hammond,

Hollywood.Com

BEST ACTRESS EMMA BEST ACTOR DUSTIN THOMPSON HOFFMAN

IT’S ABOUT FIRST LOVES, LAST CHANCES AND EVERYTH , ING IN BETWEEN .

The Lamp 30 double 38 THE LAMPhas MARCH 2009 passes to Easy Virtue and 25 double passes each to Last Chance Harvey and Summer Hours.

To enter, email lamp@nswnurses.asn.au with your name, membership number, address and contact number. First entries win!

Summer Hours g A family drama with universal themes. Kelly Burgoyne liked this movie, with fine acting from all performers.

Review by Kelly Burgoyne, CNS, RPA Hospital

Nursing opportunities in the UK

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• Guaranteed agency work* • Work at the ‘Gateway to Europe’ • Take your career to new places Working in the UK is a fantastic way of broadening your horizons and enhancing your career potential with international experience.

Hays Healthcare, the UK’s largest specialist recruitment agency are looking for qualified nurses to relocate to London and surrounding areas. We have temporary and longer-term vacancies and offer an excellent benefits package including; • £500 relocation bonus* • £150 referral bonus when you refer your friends/ colleagues* • Competitive rates of pay • Ongoing secured agency work • 24 days paid holiday (pro-rata) • Advice on obtaining Visas • Help setting up a UK bank account We know that moving across the globe can sometimes seem daunting and often it’s difficult to know where to begin. Let our experienced consultants guide you step by step through a personalised service that caters to your specific needs.

Please contact Caroline Morfoot-Pettit T 02 8226 9770 E caroline.morfoot-pettit@hays.com.au *Conditions apply H19206

ummer Hours (L’Heure D’Ete) closely observes the interactions of three generations of one family. Edith Scob plays Hélène, who has worshipped her longdeceased artist uncle and maintained his country house as a shrine. We are introduced to her and her three children: Frédéric (Charles Berling), a professor of economics in Paris; Adrienne (Juliette Binoche), a designer living in New York; and Jérémie (Jérémie Renier), a businessman working in China, at a small, family gathering.

The movie explores the family’s emotional reactions to Hélène in her life, death, and primarily, the handling of her estate. Hélène’s adult children are left to come to terms with themselves and their differences, to confront the end of their childhood, their shared memories, and unique visions of the future. Without Hélène’s presence and with such divergent paths, the twice annual family gatherings are doomed to fade away. The decision remains: to keep the valuable estate, allowing future generations a place to meet, keeping Hélène’s memory and spirit alive; or to sell the house including the artworks and pieces within, and lose her forever. Sadly, the siblings make assumptions about the desires of Hélène’s grandchildren without direct consultation with them.

Summer Hours suggests homes and the belongings within have life and meaning, beyond the people residing inside.

Museum pieces may become just another artwork or piece of furniture, displaying nothing of the pieces’ former significance and true history. Movie-goers may be left to question: after my life, what have I left to give? Is what I feel important to me likely to be meaningful to others? What is my legacy or the legacy of those I have loved?

This is a family drama and although French with English subtitles, the themes are universal. The humour is subtle. Summer Hours draws you in as you are made to feel as if you are sitting in the room with the family. I did like this movie, even at 103 minutes. Juliette Binoche may be the name that draws film-goers in, but there is fine acting from all performers.n Summer Hours opens on 2 April.

Specialist Recruitment hays.com.au

THE LAMP MARCH 2009 39

Melbourne April 29 & 30 Sydney July 15 & 16

09

Melbourne CAREX proudly sponsored by:

Exhibitor Bookings & Attendee Registrations Now Open Carex 2009 “Australia’s Premier Health & Aged Care Expo” CAREX proudly supported by:

For further information & bookings for these two exceptional events, visit: www.totalagedservices.com.au

40 THE LAMP MARCH 2009

or contact: Wayne Woff (Manager, Total Aged Services) P: 03 9571 5606 / 0422 484 209 F: 03 9571 9708 E: office@totalagedservices.com.au

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O B I T U A R I E S

Energetic and caring SHARYN LOUISE FOSTER 19 September 1958–4 December 2008

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n the 4 December 2008, Sharyn passed away peacefully following a courageous battle with ovarian cancer. Sharyn was surrounded by her loving family, who wish to extend their heartfelt appreciation for the care and support provided them by the dedicated staff of the Palliative Care Unit at Mt Druitt Hospital.

Born, Sharyn Louise Webb at King George IV Camperdown, she was the eldest of four children and from a very young age had always wanted to become a nurse. Sharyn, true to her dream, pursued a career in nursing at the age of 17 years, commencing training at Auburn District Hospital. Sharyn first married in 1986 (Sharyn Guy) and had two beautiful daughters, Karina and Alyson. Sharyn married again in 2007 to Robert Foster and the couple’s integrated family included Janelle, Rodney, Lee and a grandson Jayden.

Sharyn’s career included specialising in cardiac, burns and Theatre Nursing and further pursuing studies in Hospital Management. Sharyn was very involved in Quality Assurance and was the first person to implement ISO9000 into the Minchinbury Community Hospital. She then implemented ISO9000 in two other

hospitals in the Macquarie Group, making her a pioneer in this field of Quality.

Sharyn’s colleagues and friends at Minchinbury Community Hospital have very fond memories of an energetic person who did not know how to sit on a chair.

Sharyn would run from one end of the hospital to the other making sure staff and patients were being cared for. She always had a smile on her face and just loved coming to work. Sharyn always ensured that any problems were dealt with immediately.

Sharyn’s vision and goal was to have a dedicated rehabilitation unit to facilitate the recovery of patients and their return home. She drove everyone crazy wanting a hydrotherapy pool and a gymnasium.

After much persistence, typical of Sharyn when she wanted things to happen, the hospital commenced design and plans to build what Sharyn had dreamed of. She was there at every step, from excavation to the final fit out. Today, there is a dedicated Rehab Unit with Hydrotherapy Pool and Gymnasium, all thanks to Sharyn’s persistence and dedication.

Sharyn was a nurse right to the end.

She would come to work during the last two months and spend four hours a day checking staff and patients were all OK. In her battle against cancer she was a true warrior, never

losing her ambition or passion and facing each day with grace and dignity.

Sharyn touched many people’s lives with her unique blend of honesty, compassion, responsibility and great sense of humour. Most of all she was a woman who stood strong for the things she believed were important in life, these being one’s family, friends, colleagues and care of the patients. Sharyn possessed a unique sense of style, a love of travel, an enthusiasm for life and, in particular, a passion for all things ‘Christmas’.

Sharyn will always be remembered as a strong and compassionate woman, a loving daughter and sister, a devoted mother and wife, a reliable friend and dedicated professional. You have left joy in the hearts of many and your passing is a great loss to us all. Heart-felt sympathy goes out to your family and friends and to the profession of nursing you so dearly loved.

Thanks go to your friends John and Marion, Marilyn and your loving mum for information supplied.n

By Julie Swain CMC

The merry heart TERRI BABINGTON • 3 January 1927–27 March 2008

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Terri’s popular weekly patient education session evolved into her book You and Your Heart, published in 1984.

erri trained at the St George Hospital Kogarah and did midwifery at Canterbury Hospital.

I met Terri in 1981 when she was NUM of Ward 22 – the cardiology ward – at St George Hospital.

Supportive, enthusiastic and motivating, Terri was a mentor to all staff, particularly the nursing team she referred to as ‘the gang’.

Terri was loved by her patients, she checked in with each of them each day and was always full of kindness, humour and Irish charm. She conducted a weekly patient education session and by patient demand this evolved into her book You and Your Heart.

Terri was an innovative manager,

creating ‘The Babington Roster’ published in The Lamp.

Terri was a primary driving force in the establishment of cardiac surgery at St George and went on to develop a cardiac rehabilitation program. Her walking group, The Merry Hearts, still meets and welcomes newcomers today.

After retirement, Terri often said ‘I miss the gang’.

Terri was ahead of her time and her influence is still evident today for those of us who knew her.

Terri was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2008 and died at The St George Hospital on 27 March 2008.n

By Narrelle Clark, RN, St George Hospital THE LAMP MARCH 2009 41

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B O O K S

SPECIAL INTEREST TITLE

The Art of Peace and Relaxation Workbook

Book me Holistic Nursing: A Handbook for Practice (5th edition)

By Barbara Montgomery Dossey and Lynn Keegan, Jones and Bartlett Publishers (available through Elsevier Australia), RRP $104.95 : ISBN 9780763754297 ‘Holistic Nursing: A Handbook for Practice guides nurses in the art and science of holistic nursing and offers ways of thinking, practicing, and responding to bring healing to the forefront of health care. Using self-assessments, relaxation, imagery nutrition, and exercise, it presents expanded strategies for enhancing psychophysiology. The 5th Edition has been completely revised and updated with new chapters, including one on evidence-based practice’ Provided by publisher.

Precepting in Nursing: Developing an Effective Workforce

By Susan Ullrich and Ann Haffer, Jones and Bartlett Publishers (available through Elsevier Australia), RRP $49.95 : ISBN 9780763758455 Precepting in Nursing: Developing an Effective Workforce workbook guides the preceptor (educator) through legal and regulatory controls, and assists in the development of plans for success.

It covers key strategies for working with beginner behaviors, developing timemanagement skills, facilitating adult learning, maintaining motivation, working with diversity, and assessing and evaluating

progress. The workbook is useful for nurses seeking to enhance their development as educators and for hospitals, which can use the workbook to provide a foundation for a preceptor program.

Casarett and Doull’s Toxicology: The Basic Science of Poisons (7th edition)

By Curtis D. Klaassen, McGraw-Hill Australia Pty Ltd, RRP £95 : ISBN 9780071470513 Long established as the gold standard in the field, Casarett & Doull’s Toxicology equips you with an unsurpassed understanding of modern toxicology, including the principles, concepts, mechanisms, and modes of thought that are the foundation of the discipline. The text also offers a revealing, in-depth look at the systemic responses of toxic substances, before concluding with a two-part environmental toxicology chapter that puts air pollution and ecotoxicology into perspective.

Study Guide for Wong’s Essentials of Pediatric Nursing (8th edition)

By Marilyn J. Hockenberry and David Wilson, prepared by Kelly Ward, Elsevier Mosby (available through Elsevier Australia), RRP $39.95 : ISBN 9780323056120 The Study Guide for Wong’s Essentials of Pediatric Nursing is the key to reviewing the essential information contained in the 8th edition of the text and

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 42 THE LAMP MARCH 2009

Reviews by NSWNA librarian, Jeannette Bromfield.

PUBLISHER’S WEBSITES c McGraw-Hill: www.mcgraw-hill.com.au c Elsevier Australia: www.elsevier.com.au c Jones and Bartlett: www.jbpub.com c Scribe Publications: www.scribepublications.com.au

By Brian Luke Seaward, Jones and Bartlett Publishers (available through Elsevier Australia), RRP $48 : ISBN 9780763755478 The Art of Peace and Relaxation Workbook contains over 130 exercises in the form of surveys, questionnaires, inventories, and journal entries, to help you make some or all of these skills part of your daily routine, achieve balance, and stop ‘victim consciousness’. Moreover, by doing these exercises you will find they become a great study guide for the textbook, Managing Stress. By combining effective coping skills (mind) and effective relaxation techniques (body) you will be able to achieve frequent and quality periods of total body wellness. includes review questions, case studies and all that is needed to know about mastering pediatric nursing content. The concept of pediatric nursing in both traditional and non-traditional settings is also demonstrated and includes guidance on enhancing the understanding of the concepts of clinical applications presented in the text.

Davis’s Drug Guide for Nurses (11th edition)

By Judith Hopfer Deglin and April Hazard Vallerand, F. A. Davis Company (available through Elsevier Australia), RRP $51.95 : ISBN 9780803619111 Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2008, Davis’s Drug Guide for Nurses features updated information on the top 200 drugs and expanded scope of patient safety coverage. It provides authoritative content on nursing implications, IV administration and preventing medication errors and includes an expanded focus on special populations in monographs, appendices and new full-colour charts. There is also a thorough review of psychotropic drugs. A companion bonus CD features a drug search program accessing 700 drug monographs, audio pronunciations for approximately 700 generic drugs, psychotropic drugs tutorial, interactive case studies and wound care tutorial.n

THE LAMP MARCH 2009 43

Registered and Enrolled Nurses Find the perfect balance Do you want to balance your career and lifestyle? If so, employment with Hunter New England Mental Health Services (HNEMHS) is for you.

HNEMHS is a comprehensive integrated mental health service with a wide range of inpatient, outpatient, community and specialist services.

HNEMHS is expanding its innovative services with the opening of a new 100-bed facility at the Newcastle Mater Hospital Campus in July 2009. We are also planning to open a new 20-bed facility in Church St, Newcastle in early 2010.

The development of these services will create opportunities for our nursing staff to gain valuable skills and experience that will open up opportunities for future careers in specialist mental health.

If you are interested in expanding your professional horizons or seeking a career change contact:

Let your career take you on an unforgettable journey…

Nurse Manager Psychiatric Emergency Service, Newcastle (02) 4924 6539 Applications can be lodged online at www.hnehealth.nsw.gov.au/recruitment Registered Nurse – position number 61247 Enrolled Nurse – position number 61248 Closing Date: 31 March 2009.

Post Registration Courses at Sydney Hospital Sydney Eye Hospital 2009

Fundamental Aspects of Ophthalmology for Nursing 5 Days / 29th May - 26th June, 2009. $440 inc. GST

Infection Control Issues in Ophthalmic Practice 1 Day / 10th July, 2009. $110 inc. GST

Emergency Management of Eye Injuries 2 Days / 26th - 27th November, 2009. $220 inc. GST

Paediatric Ophthalmology 1 Day / 4th December, 2009. $110 inc. GST

44 THE LAMP MARCH 2009

For more information regarding other ophthalmic courses through out the year or to apply, please contact the course coordinators;

Cheryl Moore / Mandy Riddell Ph: 9382 7409 Fax: 93827398 cheryl.moore@sesiahs.health.nsw.gov.au mandy-lee.riddell@sesiahs.health.nsw.gov.au

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O N L I N E

Organ donors saving lives ustralia has one of the lowest rates of organ donation in the world. This means that many of the people currently on transplant waiting lists will die. There are many sites on the web that provide more information about organ donation and the stories of people who have given or received donor organs.

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Organ donation: a chance for Australia to do better Mathew, T. and Chapman, J., Medical Journal of Australia 2006, 185 (5): 245-246 Organ donation saves lives. This trite but true slogan applies to all the solid organs that are currently transplanted. Even in patients with kidney failure, where dialysis provides longterm treatment, the mortality rate is reduced significantly in those who receive transplants compared with those remaining on the waiting list. Improved survival, improved quality of life and reduced economic costs of care provide an unusual coincidence of benefits from this therapy. c www.mja.com.au/public/issues/

185_05_040906/mat10528_fm.html

Background Briefing: The greatest gift Reporter: Ian Walker Donating your body, or the body of a child, to medical research is a great gift to mankind. Most of you can be recycled: your eyes, your skin, your bone or even a little piece of your heart. Now they want to grind your bones for surgical putty. Then, your dead bits will be helping a biotech company’s bottomline, too. Can altruism

and commerce live side-by-side when it comes to giving ‘the greatest gift of all’?

(Originally broadcast on 17 September 2006) c www.abc.net.au/rn/background

briefing/stories/2006/1814801.htm

The future of organ donation in Australia: moving beyond the ‘gift of life’ Thomas, M. and Klapdor, M. The ‘gift of life’ doctrine insists that organ donation is an altruistic, egalitarian and essentially moral act. This paper argues that the ‘gift of life’ doctrine may be viewed as being flawed on a number of grounds, and that any changes made to Australia’s organ donation and transplantation system in the future should be premised, first and foremost, on an understanding of the act of donation as that of a rational, autonomous decision-maker.

Not only would this provide an accurate basis for Australia’s organ donation and transplantation system, but it would also allow for the widest possible range of motivations for organ donation while not compromising people’s ability to make ethical choices in donation. At the same time, grounding Australia’s organ donation and transplantation system on the notion of a rational, autonomous

decision-maker could enable a number of changes to this system, the ultimate outcome of which may be an increased number of organs available for transplantation and more saved Australian and New Zealand lives. c www.aph.gov.au/library/pubs/

rp/2008-09/09rp11.pdf

Transplant Australia Transplant Australia exists to enrich and celebrate life. Our vision is for Australia to lead the world in organ and tissue donation and transplantation – saving lives, improving quality of life and providing much-needed care and support. Our members share a special bond, having all been touched in some way by transplantation. They include those awaiting transplantation, donor families, living donors, transplant recipients, and the doctors, nurses and co-ordinators working in the organ and tissue donation and transplantation sector. While they have their own unique story to tell, they are part of a team that serves to celebrate and cherish the greatest gift of all – life itself. c www.transplant.org.au

Transplant Nurses’ Association The TNA is committed to advancing opportunities to enable education, research and networking for nurses and allied health professionals involved in transplantation.

This website is to enhance communication by promoting, providing and communicating knowledge and current information to those interested in the transplant field and associated areas.n c www.tna.asn.au

THE LAMP MARCH 2009 45

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

Free legal advice#

#

Conditions apply

Call the Association information line on 1300 367 962.

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

Newcastle T (02) 4953 9500

New ofďŹ ces in: Parramatta T (02) 9806 7222

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Visiting OfďŹ ces Camperdown T (02) 9261 1488

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Appointments for regional members can also be arranged.

www.mauriceblackburn.com.au

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46 THE LAMP MARCH 2009

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

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s 1.

ACROSS

Transfer organs from one body to another (10) 6. Dull pain (4) 7. Relating to bones (5) 8. Foot callus (4) 9. A closed sac divided from nearby tissue (4) 10. Emergency transport vehicle (9) 12. Pimples (4) 13. Lack of Vitamin C (5)

26

15.

18.

21.

23.

24.

25.

Wounded, marked (7) Money owing (4) Surgery (9) Enteric fever (7) Inactive, lazy (4) Spasmodic contraction of the diaphragm (7) 26. Lower spine (5) s 1.

2.

DOWN Throat (7) Newborn (7)

3. Teach (5) 4. Tumour (6) 5. Unit of the spine (8) 11. Skin wound (5) 14. Where food begins to digest (7) 16. Relating to the heart (7) 17. Relating to the teeth (6) 18. Shortness of breath (7) 19. Mental illness (7) 20. Average, halfway (6) 22. Blockage of the intestine (5) Solution page 49 THE LAMP MARCH 2009 47

I M P O R T A N T

DIARY DATES Conferences, seminars, meetings SYDNEY, HUNTER & ILLAWARRA Westmead Endoscopy Symposium 4 – 6 March. Contact: Leanne Mulheran, (07) 5548 6199, rsvp@e-Kiddna.com.au ’Continence: is there another way?‘ ANCAN Workshop 6 March, St George Leagues Club, 8.30am Cost: $50 members/ $80 non-members Contact: Rhonda Brownlow, 0421 058 316, Rhonda.Brownlow@sesiahs.health.nsw. gov.au or Cheryl Meade, 9570 1273, Cherylmeade@msn.com International Evidence-Based Complementary Medicine Conference 13–15 March, Lazenby Hall, University of New England, Armidale. Cost: $450.

Contact: 6773 3679 or email compmed.conference@une.edu.au Workplace Research Centre 18 March (Managing Discrimination, Harassment & Bullying) & 19 March (Management of Ill & Injured Employees) Radisson Hotel, Darling Harbour.

Cost: $425-475/day.

Contact: 9351 5626 Enrolled Nurse Professional Day 21 March, Tamworth. Contact: 1300 554 249 or email garozn@optusnet.com.au NSW Chapter Society for Vascular Nursing – Educational Evening 24 March, 6pm, Concord Hosp. Conf. Rm 1 Cost: free for members/$10 non-members Contact: Sue Monaro, 9767 5000 pg.

60255, monaros@email.cs.nsw.gov.au 6th Neuroscience and Trauma Professional Development Day 27 March, Educ. Block, Westmead Hosp.

Contact: Katherine Schaffarczyk, 9845 7590, Katherine_Schaffarczyk@ wsahs.nsw.gov.au Australian Association of Gerontology 1–2 April, NSW Rural Conference ‘Ageing in a Changing Environment’, Broken Hill Entertainment Centre 25-27 Nov, 42nd National Conference, National Convention Ctr, Canberra.

Abstract close 11 May. Contact: 6650 9800, 6650 9700 (fax), info@eastcoastconferences.com.au, www.eastcoastconferences.com.au nd

Workplace Research Centre – 2 ‘Climate Change at Work’ 3 April, Sydney Hilton Contact: 9351 5626, www.wrc.org.au The Australian Pain Society 29th Annual Scientific Meeting 5–8 April, Sydney Convention and 48 THE LAMP MARCH 2009

Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour Contact: 9954 4400, www.apsoc.org.au Pain Interest Group – Nursing Issues Workshop 5 April, 12noon–5pm, Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour Contact: 9954 4400, www.apsoc.org.au 2nd Annual Chronic Disease Management Australia Conference 6–8 April, Amora Jamison Sydney Contact: www.terrapinn.com/2009/cdman Hunter Wound Interest Group ‘Spring Into Wound Care’ Conference Abstracts due: 17 April Conf.: 20-21 Sept, Kurri Kurri Conf. Ctr. Contact: Tess.Richards@mater.health. nsw.gov.au, www.hwig.org.au 40th Anniversary Sydney Hospital Hand Unit – Invitation to current and previous Nurses of the Hand Unit 15 May, Claffy Lecture Theatre, Sydney Hospital. Contact: Ann Grealish, ann. grealish@sesiahs.health.nsw.gov.au/ Kay Maddison, 9382 7574, pager 9382 7111 no 21599, kay.maddison@sesiahs. health.nsw.gov.au Post-Anaesthetic Nursing Care Seminar 16 May, The Glades Wedding & Conf.

Centre, Warners Bay. Cost $85-110.

Contact: Paula Hicks, 4947 5183 or 4947 5186, hicksp@ramsayhealth.com.au Heartbeat 2009 – ‘Essentials of Care, Governance and Technology’ 29–30 May, Novotel Brighton Beach Contact: Jessica Scicluna, 9211 6299, jessica@avantievents.com.au Website: www.heartbeat.org.au ‘Urology Uncovered’ 30 May, St. Vincents Private Hospital Darlinghurst. Contact: Virginia, Ip 9515 3652, Virginia.ip@email.cs.nsw.gov.au Sydney CAREX 2009 Aged Care Expo 15–16 July, Rosehill Racecourse.

Contact: Wayne Woff, (03) 9571 5606 Web: www.totalagedservices.com.au Australian College of Midwives NSW Branch Annual State Conf. 2009 ‘MIDWIFERY GOING FOR GOLD’ 7–8 August, Novotel Sydney Olympic Park, Homebush. Contact: 9281 9522, www.nswmidwives.com.au The Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSANZ) presents: the Inaugural Indigenous Cardiovascular Health Conference 16–17 Aug, Sydney Convention & Exhibition Ctr. Contact: www.csanz.edu.au

PUBLIC SECTOR DISPLACED / SALARY MAINTAINED EMPLOYEES The Department of Health is currently introducing a new policy on Managing Excess Employees (formally known as displaced employees). The new policy has major changes with respect to salary maintenance provisions.

If you are a displaced employee whose salary has been maintained please call an Information Officer at the NSWNA who will advise you of how the changes will affect you. NSWNA phone number (02) 8595 1234.

Nurses Private Practice Special Interest Group – Conference 2009 6–7 March, Marque Hotel Canberra Contact: 1300 667 079, admin@acmhn.org Aust. & NZ Urological Nurses Society (ANZUNS) Annual National Conf.

8–12 March, Broadbeach Convention Centre, Gold Coast Qld. Contact: (02) 9213 4048, www.anzuns.org Australian Association of Stomal Therapy Nurses Inc. 37th Conference 11–13 March, Perth WA. Cost: $550 (full) / $250 (day only). Contact: Robyn Simcock rmsimcock@bigpond.com Growing Together – Australian Association of Maternal, Child and Family Health Nurses Conference 2–4 April, Adelaide Convention Centre Contact: Jenny Boden, (03) 5977 0244 Australian Practice Nurses Assoc.

– National Conference 2009 30 April – 2 May, Grand Hyatt Melbourne. Contact: (03) 5977 0244, info@corporatecommunique.com.au Teamwork for Better Health Conf. 09 8 – 9 May, Hilton on the Park, Melbourne Contact: (03) 9417 0888, rwav2009@ meetingplanners.com.au Heart Foundation Conference 2009 ‘Hearts in Focus: Celebration, Collaboration and Challenges’ 14–16 May, Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, Qld. Contact: www. heartfoundation.org.au/conference

NSWNA 64th Annual Conference Conference: 29 & 30 July Professional Day: 31 July NSWNA activist forums • Hunter Activists Forum: 8 April, 6pm, Wests Mayfield, Industrial Dr., Mayfield • New England Activist Forum: 22 April, 6pm, West Tamworth Leagues Club, Phillip Street, West Tamworth Contact: NSWNA, 8595 1234

Reunions RPAH – PTS Jan, Feb, Apr 1959 Reunion & 50 Year Luncheon 7 March, RPAH Camperdown (RMO Lounge) Contact: Janette Williams, 9797 9304, mepeewee@bigpond.net.au 40th NEC Lunch Reunion, Class of Jan ‘69 8 March.

Contact: Carolyn Hook, 0419 980 952 St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney – March 1969 PTS 40 Year Reunion 20 – 22 March.

Contact: Helen (Wilson) Kersten, 4232 1767/ 0417 651 881 or Jenny (Quilty) McNamara, 9344 5957/0412 508 332 RPAH April ’79 Group – 30th Anniversary 2 May, 5pm, Helm Bar, Lvl. 1, Aquarium Wharf. Contact: jane.howland@ncahs. health.nsw.gov.au Prince Henry & Prince of Wales – May 1976, 30 Year Reunion 7 June. Contact: Vicki Joyce (Schubert), 0409 148 688, fvschubert@people.net.au

10th National Rural Hlth Alliance Conf.

17–20 May, Cairns Convention Centre Contact: http://nrha.ruralhealth.org.au, (02) 6285 4660

RPA Hospital 1979 June PCB 20 June. Contact: Debra Furniss, debra. furniss@email.cs.nsw.gov.au or glenda. hodgess@email.cs.nsw.gov.au

The Case Management Society of Aust. 12th National Conf. & Exhibition 18–19 June, Sofitel Melbourne Contact: (03) 9658 2399, www.cmsa.org.au

Blacktown Hospital PTS 1974–78 Date & venue: to be advised (June, Sydney) Contact: Person Heather Chislett (Niven), 0438 246 441 or 4921 4227, hcchislett@ hotmail.com or heather.chislett@ hnehealth.nsw.gov.au

Drug & Alcohol Nurses of Australasia – 2009 Conference 24–26 June, Holiday Inn, Surfers Paradise Contact: (07) 3831 3788

NSWNA events NSWNA Committee of Delegates

INTERSTATE AND OVERSEAS (CODs) Meeting Dates For 2009 Australian College of Mental Health

M E S S A G E

19 May, 15 September, 17 November

St Vincent’s Hosp. 40-Years Reunion PTS June 1969 Group. June, Sydney Contact: Carol Reidy (Taylor), 9489 3960, reidycarolyn@yahoo.com.au/ Chris Doig (O’Connell), 6920 7431, doigy@activ8.net RNSH General Nursing intake July ’79 4–5 July. Looking for Sue McBurnie,

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 PO Box 40 Camperdown NSW 1450 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.

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 the web – www.nswnurses.asn.au 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.

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.

HOW GOOD Lyndall Jeffreys & Anna Friejs.

Contact: Judy Watson (Charles), 0412 806 138, judycharleswatson reunion@live.com.au RPAH reunions July 1962–66 group Seeking interest.

Contact: Rosemary Cuneo, 9953 5257, rjohno@bigpond.net.au Bankstown Hospital PTS April 1979 Seeking interest. Contact: Mary T. Ehlefeldt, mtehl@optusnet.com.au

Other notices Nurses interested in marching in the 2009 Mardi Gras 7 March.

Contact: Phillipe Millard, 8595 1234, pmillard@nswnurses.asn.au Tai Chi for Arthritis Training 28–29 March, 27–28 June & 26– 27 Sept, Kingsgrove Return Services Club. Cost: $330/ $300 before 13 February, including Tai Chi for Arthritis DVD, written materials, morning and afternoon tea.

Contact: Anna Bennett, 9533 6511, manager@taichiproductions.com

Nurses Christian Fellowship • Picnic lunch, 14 March, 12noon, Echo Point Picnic Grounds, Roseville. BYO everything. Contact: Jane, 9449 4868 • Spiritual Care Course, 2 April, 8.30am–1.30pm, Lober House Mowell Village, Castle Hill. Followed by lunch at Wills Cafe. Contact Diana 9476 4440 Kenmore Hospital Museum, Goulburn Weekends from 7 March–26 April, 10am –4pm/by appointment. Also on 5–6 Sept & 12–13 Sept. Historical tours at 11am & 2pm.

197 Taralga Rd, Goulburn.

Cost: $2 per person, children under 10 years free. Donations also welcome.

Contact: Leoné Morgan, 4821 2587 or 0438 212 587, lemamo@bigpond. com.au

o o o o o o o

IS

Great service Low fees Excellent investment returns Good value insurance Investment choice Profits go to members Extra benefits for members

Crossword solution

2nd International Ayurveda and Yoga Conference 3–5 April, City Recital Hall, Angel Place.

Contact: www.ayaustralia.org

A Unions initiative Chifley Financial Services offers: N N N N N N N N

Personal Superannuation Retirement Planning Allocated Pension and Rollover Plans Home Loans Redundancy Planning and Advice Estate Planning Wealth Creation Financial Advice

For quality super contact HIP:

1300 654 099 hipsuper.com.au

Chifley Financial Services Plan today for a better tomorrow For more information on the services that Chifley provides, call us on 1800 800 002 or visit www.chifley.com Chifley Financial Services Limited (ABN 75 053 704 706) is an Australian Financial Services Licensee (AFSL 231148) and an APRA Registrable Superannuation Entity Licensee (RSEL: L0001120). Chifley Financial Services Limited is co-owned by Unions NSW, the Local Government Superannuation Scheme and the Energy Industries Superannuation Scheme.

0566-CHFS-6/08-LAMP

This information from Health Industry Plan is general only. It is not specific to your personal financial situation, objectives or needs. Get the facts from www.hipsuper.com.au or talk to a financial advisor before making any super decisions.

The Trustee of HIP is Private Hospitals Superannuation Pty Ltd ABN 59 006 792 749, AFSL 247063.

THE LAMP MARCH 2009 49

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

YES? ....THEN YOU NEED

A COPY OF THE :

NATIONAL COMPETENCY STANDARDS CODE OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT CODE OF ETHICS 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 ‘Facilitating a national approach to nursing and midwifery regulation’

NURSING & MIDWIFERY UNIT MANAGERS’ SOCIETY OF NSW (INC.) Administration Assistant’s e-mail – Lsaunders@nursing.edu.au

ANNUAL CONFERENCE CALL FOR ABSTRACTS An opportunity to show yourself!

Present any of your innovative projects or initiatives!

Abstracts to be submitted by 26 th June 2009.

Please forward abstracts to the administration assistant.

,EADING 4HE #HANGE Date: Friday, 23rd October 2009 Venue: ANZ Stadium, Millennium Room, Sydney Olympic Park, Homebush Bay, NSW 50 THE LAMP MARCH 2009

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HURRY! Call the Association now for a recruitment kit and recruitment incentive scheme details.

Ph: 8595 1234 (metropolitan area) or 1300 367 962 (non metropolitan area) or go to www.nswnurses.asn.au

THE LAMP MARCH 2009 51

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52 THE LAMP MARCH 2009