Education is essential to maintaining the high standard of health care in Australia. Australia’s Assistants in Nursing, nurses and midwives must continue to be highly educated and experienced to maintain professional, quality care for all Australians. Australia’s nursing workforce is the frontline and often nurses are the only health care clinicians available.
Important changes include:
- increased undergraduate nursing places in Australian universities;
- dedicated funding for universities to access quality clinical placement programs for undergraduates;
- financial and clinical support for career development from cert III to post graduate studies;
- health reform initiatives that support nurse led models of care, creating clinical career pathways for nurses;
- a commitment to a retaining a qualified and robust nursing workforce.
The nursing and midwifery workforce remains under pressure so health remains under pressure. It is estimated that we are 13,000 nurses and midwives short in Australia and an estimated 40% of the workforce will be due to retire in the next 10 years so nurses and midwives need more from the Australian Government. Health education has to remain central to planning at all levels of government.
The ANF supports continuing professional development and learning for nurses.
Take ACTION:
There is always something you can do:
- if you aren’t a member, join the ANF – the best way you can improve your working conditions in health and Australia’s health care is through membership to the ANF, the largest nursing and midwifery organisation;
- get involved in ANF and ACTU actions;
- write to Minister Gillard and/or your local federal MP respectfully asking them to address the issues facing health and nursing as outlined by the ANF
- write to the ANF and give us your ideas for the future of the health workforce: 2020@anf.org.au
For further information:
- Health Workforce Australia
- Nurse Central
- NurseWeek | HealthWeek
- Nursing in Western Australia
- Think Nursing
- Royal College of Nursing Australia: Scholarships
- Continuing Professional Education Online