Building the next generation of aged care nurses
Tracks
Ballroom 1
Education and Training
Employment
Innovation
Quality improvement
Residential
| Friday, November 15, 2024 |
| 12:00 PM - 12:15 PM |
Speaker
Ms Renee Flynn
Clinical And Education Manager – Career Pathwayss
Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association
Building the next generation of aged care nurses
Abstract
To achieve targets set by the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety (2019-2021), the aged care sector requires a new pipeline of Registered Nurses (RNs). This is why an aged care placement program for Bachelor of Nursing students is so important.
Nurses are fundamental to the delivery of safe, high-quality health care in the residential aged care sector. The Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA) received Commonwealth funding to establish an Aged Care Nursing Clinical Placements Program (ACNCPP), for completion by September 2024, supporting 1100 aged care clinical placements nationally (excluding SA and WA).
The program aims were to change student nurses’ mindsets and influence career perceptions of aged care, by providing authentic RN clinical experiences in aged care. These experiences can showcase the career opportunities in the sector. To achieve this, APNA employed Clinical Nurse Facilitators (CNFs) with extensive aged care and clinical facilitation experience. By partnering with placement sites, the CNFs’ assist in removing the placement burden on aged care facilities.
In this presentation, we will describe what APNA did to improve the student nurse experience, the barriers and enablers faced and, through feedback and extensive evaluation, what the program achieved. This includes tangible change in student nurse perceptions of residential aged care and provides direction for what the aged care industry can do to support the ongoing achievement of these outcomes. The perspectives of students, industry placement providers and tertiary education partners provide evidence of achieving the overall aims of the ACNCPP.
Nurses are fundamental to the delivery of safe, high-quality health care in the residential aged care sector. The Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA) received Commonwealth funding to establish an Aged Care Nursing Clinical Placements Program (ACNCPP), for completion by September 2024, supporting 1100 aged care clinical placements nationally (excluding SA and WA).
The program aims were to change student nurses’ mindsets and influence career perceptions of aged care, by providing authentic RN clinical experiences in aged care. These experiences can showcase the career opportunities in the sector. To achieve this, APNA employed Clinical Nurse Facilitators (CNFs) with extensive aged care and clinical facilitation experience. By partnering with placement sites, the CNFs’ assist in removing the placement burden on aged care facilities.
In this presentation, we will describe what APNA did to improve the student nurse experience, the barriers and enablers faced and, through feedback and extensive evaluation, what the program achieved. This includes tangible change in student nurse perceptions of residential aged care and provides direction for what the aged care industry can do to support the ongoing achievement of these outcomes. The perspectives of students, industry placement providers and tertiary education partners provide evidence of achieving the overall aims of the ACNCPP.
Biography
Renee Flynn is a Registered Nurse with over 28 years’ experience across multiple fields including medical and surgical, aged care, primary health, community nursing and palliative care.
Her educational background incorporates some exciting credentials. Renee has a Bachelor of Nursing, Master of Nursing (majoring in Education) and holds her Training and Assessment Certificate IV.
Prior to joining APNA as the Clinical and Education Manager for the Career Pathways team, Renee worked as a nurse lecturer with Bachelor of Nursing students.
Renee’s experiences and qualifications gives her a unique understanding of clinical placements for registered and enrolled nursing students, as well as insights into the workings of the higher education system. She understands the ins and outs of students’ scope of practice, learning outcomes, and assessments. Having worked in various primary health care settings gives Renee the advantage of empathising with nurse supervisors in the Program, to deliver the most accurate clinical information.
Renee has a passion in ensuring students graduate equipped with the skills required to be proficient registered and enrolled nurses.
Session Chair
Diane Gibson
Distinguished Professor
University Of Canberra
