An important new member of the team at many general practices

• Over 57% of general practices in Australian now employ at least one practice nurse

Benefits of practice nurses

• Highly trained professionals who provide valuable support to GPs
• Can reduce waiting times
• Team players who work closely with all members of the general pratice team to improve patient care
• Duties can include:
  • triage
  • health assesments
  • wound management,
  • immunisation,
  • first aid
  • administering medications
  • blood collection
  • taking patient histories
  • care planning and reminder and patient recall

Nurses can also play a key role in coordinating your care and speaking up on your behalf, arrangement appointments and helping you to navigate the health system.

Practice nurses are highly qualified

A nurse in general practice will be either a registered or enrolled nurse, and the minimum qualifications are:

Registered Nurse

A person who has undertaken a bachelor level education program of not less than three years (prior to 1985, training was hospital based) and is licensed to practice nursing under an Australian State or Territory Nurses Act. 1

Enrolled Nurse

A person who has undertaken a shorter program of education (usually in a vocational education setting e.g. TAFE) and is licensed under an Australian State or Territory Nurses Act to provide nursing care under the supervision of a Registered Nurse.i In Victoria a registered nurse is known as registered nurse (Division 1) and enrolled nurses as registered nurse (Division 2). Similar to general practitioners, it is illegal for a person who is not registered or enrolled to use the title of nurse.  Nurses in general practice attend regular education and training programs specific to their role in general practice to maintain their skills and knowledge.

 

Privacy, confidentiality and ethical practice

• All nurses in Australia must adhere to the Code of Professional Conduct and the Code of Ethics, set by the Australia Nursing and Midwifery Council
• Nurses must adhere to privacy principles as part of their professional conduct

Information brochure for patients

iAustralian Nursing and Midwifery Council (2000) National Competency Standards

for Registered Nurses. AMNC Canberra.