Latest Nursing News

New research shows burnout, complaints about management and a lack of housing are key factors in a high turnover of nursing staff in central Australia.

THE State Government had broken a deal to hire more nurses in public hospitals so it could save money, Liberal health spokesman Brett Whiteley said yesterday.

THE Australian Nursing Federation has blamed the Health Department's slow recruitment process for its failure to quickly employ 75 new nurses for the State's public hospitals.

NSW Premier Morris Iemma has taken on doctors and the medical colleges, spearheading a push at the 2020 Summit to end their monopoly over prescribing, examinations and pathology tests.

A nurse sacked from Wellington's Huntleigh Hospital and Rest Home for incidents including prescribing medication without proper authority has lost her claim for unjustified dismissal.

A woman who worked nearly two fulltime nursing jobs when not qualified for either has had her enrolled nursing registration cancelled.

A Darwin based-academic says a maternity model in Queensland could be adopted to remote areas in the Northern Territory, making it easier for mothers to have babies in the bush.

Using drinkable tap water to clean wounds does not increase infection rates, according to the findings of a Cochrane Review. There is, however, no evidence that it reduces infection rates or increases healing rate over leaving the wound alone.

NurseCentral wishes to congratulate and highlight the work of the following nurses honoured in the 2008 Australia Day Awards.

• Mrs Margaret Ruth CARNEGIE-SMITH (Katherine NT) - For service to nursing, particularly through the delivery of health care services in rural and remote areas of the Northern Territory, and to the training and support of Indigenous health workers.
• Mrs Erella Florence MACAULAY (North Rocks NSW) - For service to nursing as an educator and administrator, particularly in relation to the transition of nurse education from hospitals to the tertiary sector in New South Wales.
• Ms Norma Ellen McRAE (Mooloolah Valley Qld) - For service to international relations, particularly through humanitarian aid programs of the Australian Red Cross and other international organisations.

• Ms Judith Mercia BOYD (Bellara Qld) - For service to nursing and nurse education, particularly in the area of care delivery to sufferers of a mental illness, to their families and to carers.
• Mrs Suzanne Judith DENISON (Nundle NSW) - For service to nursing as a nurse practitioner, and to the community of the Nundle district.
• Miss Maureen Louise GLEESON (Tarragindi Qld) - For service to nursing, particularly through the care of those diagnosed with breast cancer.
• Mrs Jane Turley KEIR (Come by Chance NSW) - For service to nursing, particularly in the field of palliative care, and to the community of the Walgett Shire and surrounds.
• Mrs Sandra McKELLAR (Strathpine Qld) - For service to nursing in the area of cardiac rehabilitation as a clinician and educator and through contributions to professional bodies.
• Mrs Valerie Ann TUCKETT (Sarina Beach Qld) - For service to nursing, particularly as an administrator and through the promotion of nurse education and professional health services.

A RECORD 586 new graduate nurses will start work across the WA public health system this year, according to Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon.