Ms Jodie Turvey1, Ms Ann Hammonds
1Queensland Health
The delivery of healthcare services in rural and remote locations in Australia is reliant on a sustainable nursing and midwifery workforce. There is a critical skills shortage within nursing which is predicted to worsen over coming years with high rates of retirement. Queensland Health is on a journey to develop a defined career pathway for rural and remote generalist registered nurses (RRGRN). This involves the provision of lateral entry points for the current workforce to offer a strong workforce incentive and lead to a formal recognition process for rural and remote registered nurses.
The RRGRN project commenced in Nov 2021 and stakeholder engagement was a critical success factor in delivering the RRGRN program. A wide range of stakeholder engagement activities were adopted to establish a shared vision. This involved developing rapport, gaining understanding of context; capabilities; implementation challenges; and local needs of individuals and communities.
It was opportune timing, coinciding with the development of the National Rural and Remote Generalist Nurse Framework. Furthermore, the COVID surge highlighted a sense of urgency to address the critical skills shortage in rural and remote settings. The project team has leveraged on this momentum and the strong appetite for change.
Over a seven month period, through extensive stakeholder consultation the project has developed a profile and description of the RRGRN and an outline of a specific program for this cohort. The project team worked closely with stakeholders to develop a program comprised of systems and processes to support the participating nurses undertaking core and elective education modules.
The recruitment of nurses to trial the program will commence in July 2022. The project team will support the HHSs to implement the program. Through evaluation, the program will be further refined with each new cohort of participants.
Biography:
Jodie Turvey – BNurs, GradCert Clinical Education and Teaching
Jodie Turvey is A/Assistant Director of Nursing, Office of Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer for the Rural and Remote Generalist Nurse Project. In her substantive role as a Nurse Educator, South West Hospital and Health Service, Jodie has been responsible for operational aspects related to developing, coordinating and facilitating educational programs to support nursing and midwifery learning and development needs across the health service. Jodie is dedicated to growing and supporting the rural and remote nursing workforce throughout Queensland including the community of which she lives.
Ann Hammonds – BPhty, BSc, Post Grad Dip Health Sciences (Gerontology), MBA
Ann Hammonds is the Principal Project Officer for the Rural and Remote Generalist Nurse Project. Ann has project managed a wide range of projects in health including electronic referral management system, hospital commissioning and clinical services planning. Ann has worked as a hospital physiotherapist for a number of years and was a senior physiotherapist in geriatric rehabilitation. Ann is passionate about finding system solutions in tackling challenges facing clinicians and patients.
Shelley Nowlan – RN BN MHM G.DipPM GCert.PA FACN GAICD
The Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer role is critical in providing state-wide strategic and professional leadership for nursing and midwifery services in Queensland. Shelley has represented the Queensland nurses and midwives at a state, national and international level as Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer since 2016.
During this time OCNMO has delivered key Government election commitments with new nursing and Midwifery positions, the introduction of nursing ratios, introduction of the Nurse Navigator Program, implementation of the EB10 commitments and the $10million dollar innovation fund seeing new nurse- led and midwifery-led models of care across the state. The Office has also assisted in the introduction of important policy where nurses and midwives contribute daily to care for Queensland communities.
Shelley also is the Australian Government Deputy National Rural Health Commissioner for Nursing and Midwifery. She represents Nurses at an international level as International Council of Nurses WHO Western Pacific Region Nursing lead.
Shelley is currently focused on early career pathways for graduate Nurses and Midwives by producing operational programs that produce effective nursing and midwifery outcomes for Queensland. Shelley is also passionate about ensuring nursing and midwifery strategy provides sustainable and accessible nursing and midwifery care to regional and rural communities throughout Queensland.
Una Schumacher – RN, RM, Dip App Sc, B Hlth Sc., Grad Dip Ed, M Ed
Una Schumacher is Director of Nursing, Professional Capability in the Queensland Office of the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer, Queensland Health. Spanning portfolios of education, legislation, regulation, research and leadership. Una’s role is responsible for capacity and capability building for the Queensland Nursing and Midwifery workforce. As the Project Director for the Rural and Remote Generalist Nurse Project, Una supports the project team to work with key stakeholders in developing a program which seeks to overcome the widely acknowledged challenges facing the rural and remote nursing and midwifery workforce in Queensland.
Presenter’s email address: Jodie.Turvey@health.qld.gov.au