Ms Deborah Grant1, Mrs Michelle Gunn2, Mrs Michelle Garner1
1Queensland Health – North West Hospital and Health Service, Mount Isa, Australia,
2Queensland Health – Clinical Excellence Division Office of the Chief Nurse and Midwifery Officer, Brisbane, Australia
Introduction:
In rural and remote communities, the effective and safe delivery of comprehensive Primary Heath Care services is dependent on the strength, capacity and capability of the health workforce. The International College of Nursing (ICN) (2010) recognises that Nurses are effective practitioners, health coaches, spokespersons, and knowledge suppliers for patients and families throughout the life course. Rural Generalist Registered Nurses (RGRN) are valued as essential members of the multidisciplinary healthcare team and recognised as crucial at maintaining links between individuals, families, communities and other areas of the healthcare system.
The Queensland Health RGRN Program is being established as a professional pathway for post graduate registered nurses (from novice to expert). It articulates multiple entry points, acknowledges the capability requirements, and provides a mechanism to enable registered nurses to work in Rural Generalist Nurse positions across a diverse range of rural, remote and isolated locations and communities within Queensland Health. It is envisaged that this will lead to the development of a Nationally Recognised Rural General Registered Nurse Pathway.
What is happening in your project/ health service/or what has been your experience:
The RGRN Pathway builds on National and International information as well as the experience of Registered Nurses working in diverse Rural, Remote and Isolated environments. The development has incorporated environmental scanning, exploration of curriculum frameworks and generation of combined workforce and educational pathway options.
Conclusion:
This presentation walks the reader through the development of the Queensland Health RGRN Program and proposed implementation as an opportunity to embrace Nursing’s Diversity to build Stronger Pathways for the Rural Generalist Registered Nurse.
Reference:
ICN AND NURSING NOW STATEMENT
Astana Declaration on Primary Health Care: From Alma-Ata towards Universal Health Coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals. International College of Nursing (ICN) (October 2018) downloaded on 22 April 2019 from https://www.nursingnow.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/PHC-statement-ICN-NN.pdf
Biography:
Deborah Grant
Certificate in Nursing, Bachelor Applied Science (Nursing Science) , Masters of Health Practitioner, Grad Diploma Diabetes, Grad Cert Management(QH). RN, RM, RIPRN, NP, ADEA DE,
Nursing Director Rural Pathways Project
North West Hospital and Health Service
Queensland Health deborah.Grant@health.qld.gov.au
Deborah is a Nurse Practitioner and Midwife with extensive experience across a range of health service contexts. Currently Nursing Director Rural Pathways Project North West Hospital and Health Service she has lead the development of a multi-level rural generalist registered nurse pathway for Queensland Health.