The scope of nursing in Australia: a snapshot of the challenges and skills needed.
Contemporary nursing is an increasingly complex concept encompassing and encapsulating wide variation under the broad rubric of the nursing work place. This paper reports on a study that was designed to contribute to understandings of nursing practice by describing what nurses in Australia are doing everyday in various practice and work settings, the type of skills they need, the challenges they face and the interactions nurses have with other health workers. Drawing on the research which informed the National Review of Nurse Education in Australia in 2001, the paper raises issues critical to the management of contemporary nursing practice. Flexible approaches both to the day-to-day management of nurses and nursing, and educational preparation in partnership with key stakeholders, are a necessity if management of nursing is to keep pace with constant change in health care systems as well as facilitating the attraction and retention of nurses in those systems.
Jones
Jacqueline
J
Centre for Research into Nursing and Health Care, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia. jackie@sa.anf.org.au
Cheek
Julianne
J
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001315:Australia; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D003142:Communication; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D007857:Leadership; D020380:Needs Assessment; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology*; D016272:Occupational Health; D017009:Professional Autonomy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014754:Violence / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology