Australian Nursing Journal articles from July 2007

Australian Nursing Journal archives from July 2007

Nurses' proud tradition.(editorial)
July 1, 2007... Last month in federal parliament, the Health Minister, Tony Abbott, made a rather nasty attack on nurses and their right to be politically active. I was asked in a radio interview whether nurses would be involved in the ACTU campaign...

Unity in the nursing profession.(Letter of the month)(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2007... I agree with Kim Robey (ANJ June Mail). I also think it is high time those working in aged care were given the same professional respect and recognition as in acute care. For many working in aged care it's a tired and counter productive...

A complex solution.(mail)(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2007... The RN who is 'saddened and shocked at the plight of residents' in an aged care facility (ANJ May Mail) feels that residents are abandoned and that carers are not providing 'significant enrichment'. I empathise but after 15 years in aged care...

Lack of training in aged care.(mail)(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2007... As the ANF has repeatedly documented, registered and enrolled nurses are leaving residential aged care facilities (RACF) and are being increasingly replaced by non-professional carers, described as 'personal care assistants' or...

Network.(hospital reunions)(Calendar)
July 1, 2007... St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, August '87, 20-year reunion 3 August 2007. If you are interested in joining the celebrations please contact: Email: louise.hogan@svhm.org.au Ph: (03) 9288 3807 or Email: debra.teklenburg@svhm.org.au Ph:...

Nurses to vote.(industrial news)(pay increase)
July 1, 2007... ACT Public sector nurses in the ACT will vote this month on whether to accept a 12% pay rise over three years. The ANF ACT Branch and the ACT Government reached agreement in principle on a new enterprise bargaining agreement last...

ANF campaign to continue.(industrial news)(Australian Nursing Federation)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... SA More than 1,000 public sector nurses voted unanimously to continue their campaign for a better pay and conditions offer at a stop work meeting last month. The meeting was the latest in a campaign by SA nurses and midwives to secure...

Government refuses to negotiate.(industrial news)(Tasmania)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... The Tasmanian Government has flatly refused to negotiate on public sector nurses' claims for a new enterprise bargaining agreement. The current EBA expired on 30 June. Tasmanian Health and Human Services Minister Lara Giddings said the...

Health reform a key issue for nurses.(national news)(Report)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... Australian nurses surveyed by the ANF in recent months identified health reform, the provision of universal health care and Medicare funded dental services as key issues in the lead up to 2007 federal election. The survey of more than 450...

Concern over antenatal plan.(national news)
July 1, 2007... Plans for nurses without midwifery training to provide antenatal care in rural and remote areas have come under fire by the Council of Remote Area Nurses (CRANA). Under federal government changes, doctors and obstetricians in rural and...

Social justice for ethnic aged.(national news)
July 1, 2007... A leading Australian nurse ethicist has slammed the current Federal Government for being openly hostile to multiculturalism. RMIT University professor of nursing and director of research Megan-Jane Johnstone called for a social justice...

Breastfeeding inquiry.(national news)(Report)
July 1, 2007... Less than one third of Australian babies are breastfed after the first few months of birth putting them at greater risk of developing diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease, a government inquiry has heard. A House of Representatives...

Nurse makes Queen's Birthday Honours List.(national news)(Toni Hoffman)(Queen Elizabeth II)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... Toni Hoffman, the nurse who blew the whistle on the activities of the surgeon dubbed 'Dr Death' Jayant Patel in Bundaberg Hospital, received a Member of the Order (AM) in the Queen's Birthday 2007 Honours List last month. Ms Hoffman was...

Adopt workplace safety charter.(national news)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... The Australian Council of Trade Unions has called on all Australian governments to adopt a new charter of workplace rights for occupational health and safety and workers' compensation. The charter was launched at the ACTU Annual Health and...

Apologise to nurses Mr Abbott.(national news)(Tony Abbott)
July 1, 2007... Health Minister Tony Abbott should apolgise to all nurses for comments made in Parliament last month suggesting they were "indoctrinating patients" and responsible for lengthening waiting lists in NSW because they were all at "ACTU...

Combating the chlamydia epidemic.(national news)(program of the Rural Health Education Foundation)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... The Rural Health Education Foundation's program on chlamydia that was broadcast in March 2007 is now available free on DVD or video. The program alerts front line health practitioners to the high and increasing prevalence of chlamydia and...

Mental health scholarships available.(national news)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... The Mental Health Postgraduate Scholarship Scheme is a new long-term initiative funded by the Australian Government to encourage and support people interested in undertaking postgraduate study in mental health nursing. The aim of the scheme is...

Standards revised.(national news)(Australian College of Mental Health Nurses Standards of Practice)
July 1, 2007... A three-phase research project is underway to update the current ACMHN Standards of Practice (ANZCMHN 1995) for mental health nursing which were developed in 1995. The project is managed by a Steering Committee of mental health nurses, the...

HESTA nurse of the year says nursing "a gift".(national news)
July 1, 2007... Queensland based community nurse, Robyn Williams, who cared for a dying lung cancer patient who was living in a tin shed without running water, a shower, toilet, fridge or stove won the HESTA Australian Nurse of the year 2007 award. Ms...

Win for more security.(state and territory news)(Byron District Hospital)
July 1, 2007... NSW Northern NSW nurses are celebrating a win in reinstating security arrangements after the state health minister directly intervened to avert industrial bans. NSW Health Minister Reba Meagher instructed that a security officer be...

New health Act to regulate nurses.(state and territory news)(Health Professions Registration Act)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... VIC Changes to legislation that will regulate nurses and other health care professions came under heated debate in the Victorian Parliament last month. The new Health Professions Registration Act will repeal 11 separate health...

Nurses set up breast image gallery.(state and territory news)(Lesley Kydd and Sheryl Reid)
July 1, 2007... WA Two Western Australian nurses have set up a gallery of breast surgery images to provide women having breast cancer surgery with a realistic picture of what to expect. The breast surgery gallery at the Royal Perth Hospital, thought...

Nurses and medics practice together.(state and territory news)(Queensland)(Griffith University pilot study)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... QLD Nursing and medical students in their final year will take their clinical practice together in a pilot study at Griffith University next year. Clinical practice and hospital placements will be patient-focused with interviews,...

Public backlash against health overhaul.(state and territory news)(Tasmania)
July 1, 2007... TAS The Tasmanian Government has faced intense public opposition to the downgrading of several hospitals in a major overhaul of the state's health care system. Thousands of Tasmanians held a protest march against the downgrading of...

Coming soon to a site near you! National registration and accreditation.(professional)
July 1, 2007... Long awaited plans for national standards for the accreditation of nursing education and national nursing registration are finally coming to fruition. The mechanisms of the Council of Australian Governments are creaking into action to respond...

Making informed decisions.(industrial)
July 1, 2007... It is important for nurses to know their industrial rights so they can make informed decisions in the workplace and to know where the major political parties stand on those rights. There may be enterprise bargaining negotiations going on in...

Survey reveals discontent.(world)(nurses' opinions regarding health care issues)(Report)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... Nurses enjoy their work but are not happy about many conditions in the workplace according to a recent survey conducted by the International Council of Nurses (ICN). The findings of the 10 country survey revealed the opinions of nurses on...

Where are all the nurses?(world)(number of skilled midwives and nurses who are members of the World Health Organization)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... The International Council of Nurses (ICN) is calling on the World Health Organization (WHO) to urgently increase the number of skilled nurses and midwives in the organisation. The governing assembly of the ICN was shocked to learn of a...

Nurses' working conditions impact patient safety.(world)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... Nurses' working conditions have been linked to infection levels among elderly intensive care unit (ICU) patients by a recent study by Columbia University School of Nursing researchers, Hospitals that provide decent working conditions for...

Be prepared--says ICN.(world)(International Council of Nurses)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... The International Council of Nurses (ICN) has launched a world first disaster response network for nurses. The network, which aims to strengthen the response to the health needs of disaster-stricken populations, held its inaugural meeting at...

Nurses join strike in South Africa.(world)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... A 12-day public sector strike called by the Confederation of South African Trade Unions has resulted in 600 nurses being sacked. Thousands of South African workers turned out for rallies across the country recently in solidarity with striking...

Under pressure: nursing workloads in 2007.(federal election 2007)(Australian Nursing Federation)(Cover story)
July 1, 2007... With a federal election looming the ANF is lobbying for a sustained effort to plan for a healthy nursing workforce into the future. Cate Carrigan speaks to nurses under increasing pressure as workloads intensify and a large section of the...

Into the deep end--addressing the UN.(working life)(United Nations)
July 1, 2007... Dina Sauto doesn't like public speaking, she gets nervous. Early on a cool New York morning in May 2007 she shuffled in her seat, took a deep breath, and delivered a three-minute speech to 1,500 delegates at the United Nations. Dina, a...

PNs--the key to coordinated care.(research)(practical nurses)(Report)
July 1, 2007... Australia lags behind other countries in using practice nurses for chronic disease management and to ease health workforce shortages, according to research published in a recent Australian Health Review. The study explores the possible role...

Specialist nurses help save lives.(research)(Report)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... New research from the UK confirms that GP surgeries with specialist cardiac nurse clinics can help improve patient's lives. The presence of cardiac nurses benefit patients with angina, heart attack and heart failure, according to one of the...

Removal of short term indwelling urethral catheters.(clinical update)(Clinical report)
July 1, 2007... Information Source This Best Practice information sheet has been derived from a systematic review of research published by the Joanna Briggs Institute titled: Comparison of late night and early morning removal of short-term urethral...

OHNs perspectives on men's health.(focus: Men's Health)(occupational health nurses)(Report)
July 1, 2007... A recent research project in New Zealand aimed to identify the major health-related issues affecting men who interacted with Occupational Health Nurses (OHNs). Seven participants attending two discussion groups held six weeks apart were...

Innovative online campaign for asthma awareness.(focus: Men's Health)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... In a world gasping for justice, in a city choked by pollution and grime, two forces are battling for power. Battle for the Bronchs www.battleforthebronchs.com. au launched on World Asthma Day and is an asthma awareness campaign aimed at young...

Creating a positive environment for men.(focus: Men's Health)
July 1, 2007... Much is known about the medical aspects of men's health and research has been conducted into prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, androgen deficiency and depression. However clinical developments and new treatments are ineffective if health...

NICS seeks evidence-based leaders.(Focus Briefs)(National Institute of Clinical Studies)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... Nurses are urged to apply for two-year Fellowships that aim to address evidence-based gaps in clinical practice. The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) is inviting early-to-mid career health professionals with a commitment to...

Statins for prostate cancer.(Focus Briefs)(Brief article)(Clinical report)
July 1, 2007... Statins may protect against prostate cancer, research has found. Results from The Finnish Prostate Cancer Screening Trial from 1996 to 2004 of more than 23,000 men found a 50% reduction in the rate of prostate cancer in men who took statins...

Men's Sheds.(Focus Briefs)(Organization overview)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... Men's Sheds have been expanded across rural and remote communities to help address the physical, emotional and social wellbeing of men, including the current drought and its impact on health. Non-profit organisation Mensheds Australia set up in...

Confidential survey.(Focus Briefs)(research by La Trobe University)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... Men are being encouraged to take part in a confidential online survey to explore the relationship between penis size and body image. The La Trobe University survey is aimed to help develop strategies for health promotion in men's sexual and...

A first for men's health.(focus: Men's Health)(nurse practitioner Peter Strange)
July 1, 2007... Australia's first men's health nurse practitioner, Bendigo (Victoria) based nurse Peter Strange, hopes his achievement will improve health outcomes for men in his own community and around the nation. "Men's health is not on the agenda...

Centre prevents suicide.(Focus Briefs)(Men's Health and Information Centre of the University of Western Sydney)(Holy Family Centre at Mount Druitt)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... A drop-in centre for men in Western Sydney has received Commonwealth funding for its suicide prevention model for men at risk. The University of Western Sydney Men's Health and Information Centre and Holy Family Centre at Mt Druitt provides...

NSW scholarships.(Focus Briefs)(New South Wales)(funding for undergraduate nursing students)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... The Edith Cavell Trust is calling for applications from undergraduate nursing students who are members or associate members of the NSW Nurses' Association (NSWNA) for funding to complete their nursing studies. Students can apply on a needs or...

Improve men's health.(Focus Briefs)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... National men's health organisation Foundation 49 has called on Australian governments to improve funding for men's health. Chairman and oncologist associate professor Gary Richardson who specialises in the treatment of women's cancers said it...

Book in to see GP and mechanic.(Focus Briefs)(general practitioners)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... The Australian Medical Association in Queensland has urged men to book in to see their GP when booking their car in for a service. As part of International Men's Week last month, AMA QLD president Dr Ross Cartmill said Australian men do not see...

Men's health innovation a winner at HESTA awards.(focus: Men's Health)(Health and Exercise Science Technologists Association)
July 1, 2007... The profile of men's health will receive a boost after the Men's Educational Rural Van (MERV) won the national 2007 HESTA Australian Nursing Award for innovation in nursing. MERV is a mobile men's health check-up and information service...

Modifying risk in men's health.(focus: Men's Health)(Report)
July 1, 2007... In Australia, cardiovascular disease [CVD] remains the leading cause of death for both men and women and is also a major cause of disability (NSW Health 2006). The process of recovery following an acute cardiac event can impact on physical,...

Improving outcomes for men.(focus: Men's Health)(Clinical report)
July 1, 2007... The diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer may evoke many fears for patients. Providing high-quality psychosocial support for patients is a critical aspect of optimal care. There is growing evidence the psychosocial needs of patient's may...

Call to refocus the debate about childhood obesity: parents need help tackling weight-promoting environments, writes Melissa Sweet in her new book.
July 1, 2007... Helping parents to understand the 'big fat conspiracy'--or how so many aspects of modern life promote weight gain--can empower them to make positive changes in their family's lives. It is unfortunate that so much of the public debate about...

Authors seek male nurses' stories.(focus: Men's Health)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... Although men are a relatively small group in Australian nursing (usually less than 10% of the workforce), their numbers are significant enough to warrant a description of their contribution to the profession. The term 'male nurse' clearly...

Men's health awareness in remote rural locations.(focus: Men's Health)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... There is a growing awareness of the inequities of health in remote rural communities compared to urban areas. The marketing and promotion of men's health under the MAN model of health education, provides integrated services to support remote...

Calendar.(workshops and training courses for nurses)(Calendar)
July 1, 2007... Distance education courses for RNs Conducted by the College of Nursing (incorporating the NSW College of Nursing) The College of Nursing, Locked Bag 3030, Burwood, NSW, 1805 Ph: (02) 9745 7500 Childbirth education training programs ...

Nurses' rights at work--worth campaigning for carry on nursing...
July 1, 2007... I've been doing a bit of lobbying lately. Lobbying is something we do in the federal office and it is more intense around the time of a federal election. Lobbying usually takes the form of travelling to often not terribly exciting destinations,...