Practice Nurse program
Aim
The Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA); fund and guide MGPN in the delivery of the Nursing in General Practice Program (NiGP). The Program aims to improve quality and access to primary health care by encouraging the utilisation of practice nurses and thereby increasing the capacity of general practice.
Goals
The goals of the program support the program aim, and focus on:
- Recruitment
- Support
- Maximising Potential
Planning
The 2012 program activities were planned to fulfill the requirements of the Inner North West Melbourne Medicare Local transition plan and funded by DoHA.
Practice Nurse Reference Group
This group currently consists of 3 experienced Practice Nurses from MGPN practices facilitated by the MGPN Practice Nurse Program Officer. The group meets twice per year for the purpose of informing the activity and evaluation planning process. The Practice Nurse members are remunerated for their time.
2012 Activities
Activities are planned to reach GPs and Practice Managers who are engaged in the recruitment of Practice Nurses, Practice Nurses and Nurses new to the General Practice setting.
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Recruitment
- Specific questions were included in the 2011 MGPN annual practice survey to help better understand the reasons why some practices do not employ a practice nurse. This will inform future program planning.
- Advertisements on the MGPN Jobs- Positions Vacant page and promotion of the new Australian Practice Nurse Association (APNA) Jobs website.
- MGPN has developed a Practice Nurse recruitment resource page with links to information and resources for GPs, Practice Managers and those considering and planning to employ a nurse in the General Practice setting.
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Support
- New Practice Nurse Resources page. This page provides information and links relevant to nurses new to the General Practice setting.
- We invite Practice Nurses working in the MGPN area to join the MGPN Practice Nurse email distribution list – receive information regarding upcoming education events, Practice Nurse information updates and news. Please email Kelly.phuah@mgpn.com.au with your name, practice, preferred email contact details and Div 1 or 2 status.
- The CPD Event Calendar details upcoming MGPN education events. This year we will cater to a range of experience with topics such as triage, wound management, immunisation, CPR, MBS updates, working with ATSI clients and spirometry.
- Continuing Professional Development – CPD Standards Nurses registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia are required to complete a minimum of 20 hours of professional development each year. You will be required to record your relevant training and be prepared to present this information should the board select you for an audit. To assist you in keeping your CPD records up to date some organisations have created free CDP diaries which reference the above standards. The APNA online CPD portal and Ausmed online CPD organiser are online electronic versions and The Dandenong Casey General Practice Association CPD Portfolio booklet updated in August 2010, which once printed can be manually updated.
- Practice Nurse Incentive Program – PNIP
This incentive scheme commenced on the 1st Jan 2012. This replaces the PIP practice nurse incentive and the following 6 Practice Nurse Item numbers: 10993, 10994, 10995, 10996, 10998, 10999. Under the PNIP, accredited practices will be eligible to receive the incentive. Please click here for a summary of the PNIP.
The Medicare Australia website contains all the details, guidelines and a ready reckoner tool to assist practices in understanding how the PNIP will impact their practice.
The Australian General Practice Network (AGPN) and APNA have released a suite of resources to assist General Practice in the transition to the PNIP. AGPN and APNA have produced a summary of the resources available: PNIP Resource Summary.
- For everyday questions, discussions, tips & tricks and to brainstorm case studies with fellow colleagues; Melbourne GP Network and South City GP Services encourage Practice Nurses to utilise the online Practice Nurse forum on the Practice Nursing Website.
- Immunisation Program – MGPN supports practices including GPs, Practice Nurses and practice staff involved in the storage of vaccines; in the provision immunisation services through the Immunisation Program and Program Officer, Wendy Reid.
- Diabetes Phone Advisory Service for Practice Nurses
Practice Nurses in the MGPN area can now access the Diabetes Phone Advisory Service offered by The Baker IDI Education Service. The service provided by Credentialed Diabetes Nurse Educators can assist practice nurses working with clients with diabetes with monitoring advice, clinical information and referral options.
This service is available Monday to Friday 9am – 4pm and is free of charge.
Phone: 8532 17 62
MGPN continues to offer support to Practices through the HARP Diabetes Co-Management Service in addition to this new service from the Baker IDI Education service. - The Nursing and Midwifery Health Program Victoria is an independent, confidential support service for nurses experiencing health issues related to their mental health or substance use concerns. They provide sensitive and compassionate screening, assessment, referrals, individual support sessions and groups for those seeking help to manage these health concerns. The program complies with the privacy act and is conducted with the utmost discretion.
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Maximising Potential
- MGPN is planning an event for Practice Nurses and Practice Managers on the topic of Implementing Nurse Led Clinics in the General Pcractice. The event is planned for May, 2012.
- In consultation with the MGPN Practice Nurse Reference Group, a number of informative articles for Practice Nurses are planned to be published in the Bi monthly GP Voice newsletter. Topics include Nurse Pap Providers, The Coordinated Veterans Care Program, Mental Health Tips for Nurses and more. See the current and previous GP Voice issues.
- Practice Nurse Education information page – this page provides links to the Nursing and Allied Health Scholarship and Support Scheme (NAHSSS), the Australian Practice Nurse Association (APNA) Training Calendar as well as information on Post Graduate Nursing in General Practice qualification and other relevant education programs for Practice Nurses.