19
March 2004
ANF and RCNA work together for nursing practice
In a historic first, the Australian Nursing Federation and Royal
College of Nursing, Australia, today released a joint position
statement that will become important in defining roles in the
delivery of nursing care.
The Joint position statement on assistants in nursing and other
unlicensed workers will assist the nursing profession, employers,
governments and consumers to clarify the relationship between
registered and enrolled nurses and assistants in nursing and
other unlicensed workers (however titled) in the provision of
safe, competent and ethical health care.
It will also assist employers, who have a responsibility for
providing appropriately qualified and skilled staff to meet the
individual’s nursing care needs following assessment by
a registered nurse.
ANF Federal Secretary Jill Iliffe said the statement was necessary
to clarify roles and responsibilities in the delegation of nursing
care.
‘Registered nurses delegate duties to assistants in nursing
and unlicensed workers but retain overall responsibility for
the care provided by them. There needs to be a clear understanding
of their role in relation to assistants in nursing and other
unlicensed workers,’ Ms Iliffe said.
RCNA Executive Director Rosemary Bryant said that the essence
of the statement is about the provision of safe care for people
receiving nursing care.
‘The two peak nursing organisations have responded to requests
for guidance from both nurses and their employers on this matter,’
Ms Bryant said.
View
a copy of the position statement (PDF)
MEDIA CONTACTS
Australian Nursing Federation Federal
Secretary, Jill Iliffe 0419 576 590
Royal College of Nursing
Australia Executive Director, Rosemary Bryant 0414 675 405
Australian Nursing Federation
Communications Officer, Heather Witham 0417 359 907