1st Edition

Professional Transitions in Nursing A guide to practice in the Australian healthcare system

By Alister Hodge, Wayne Varndell Copyright 2018
    336 Pages
    by Routledge

    336 Pages
    by Routledge

    Written by clinical lecturers, Professional Transitions in Nursing provides a practical and accessible guide to the core knowledge and skills required by nurse graduates entering the Australian workforce for the first time. Part I focuses on the structure of the Australian healthcare system and the national competency standards. The authors examine key issues including ethics, law and codes of conduct as well as the leadership, team-building and communication skills necessary in a constantly changing and high-pressure environment. Part II outlines the clinical skills and practices a nurse graduate must master including clinical assessment, risk management and reporting, management plans, diagnostics reasoning, collaboration with other health professionals and working with patients from diverse backgrounds. A special feature is an analysis of issues in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nursing practice. The authors also outline health information systems and technologies and how to utilise these most effectively. Part III looks at career planning and lifelong learning with advice on applying for a nursing position and continual professional development. This is an essential reference for both nursing graduates and overseas qualified nurses seeking to pursue a career in Australia.

    'This text will be of tremendous use to new graduate nurses, nurses relocating from overseas and those of us who support these nurses during their transitions. The language is easily accessible and important content about everyday nursing practice is discussed in a practical and logical way. A particular strength is the use of research to support key points of discussion.'
    Professor Andrea Marshall, Professor of Acute and Complex Care Nursing, Griffith University

    'This book is a must-have for undergraduates, newly graduated and overseas qualified registered nurses entering the Australian healthcare workforce for the first time. Written by experienced nurses, the book provides essential up-to-date information that is presented in an easily accessible way. I highly recommend this book.'
    Associate Professor Jacqueline Bloomfield, Sydney Nursing School, University of Sydney

    'For educators supporting student, new graduate and international graduate nurses, this text will be an important resource and is superbly structured to guide curriculum development and delivery.'
    Dr Danny Hills, Senior Lecturer, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Monash University

    Figures and tables

    Authors

    Preface

    Acknowledgements

    Part I The Australian health system, professional standards and legislation

    1. The transition to Registered Nurse

    2. The Australian healthcare system

    3. The health workforce

    4. Professional practice

    5. Nursing and the law

    Part II Key clinical skills and practices

    6. Health workforce culture, team development and communication

    7. Assessment, care delivery and diagnostic reasoning

    8. Nursing within a diverse cultural environment, and death and dying

    9. Nursing and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health

    10. Common mandatory training topics

    Part III Gaining employment and career planning

    11. Career planning and development

    12. Graduate programs and gaining employment

    Glossary

    Appendix 1: Common medical acronyms and abbreviations

    Appendix 2: Comparative names of common medications

    Answers to review questions

    References

    Index

    Biography

    Alister Hodge is a Clinical Lecturer at the School of Nursing, University of Sydney and has extensive experience as a clinical nurse consultant and nurse practitioner in the emergency speciality. Wayne Varndell is a Clinical Lecturer in the Faculty of Health, University of Technology, Sydney. He was awarded 'Australasian Emergency Nurse of the Year' in 2014 for his exceptional contribution as an Emergency Nursing leader.