Gippsland Lakes Complete Health (GLCH) is upskilling its nurses to enhance its team-based care for clients and to lighten the load on GPs.
The federally funded Transition to Practice Program (TPP) helps nurses new to primary health care make a smooth transition from other health settings with additional support and training designed to build teamwork, knowledge and skills.
GLCH’s clinical and nursing executive manager Cheryl Bush says adding value to a more skilled nursing team is just one of the ways GLCH is tackling the GP shortage.
She said having staff start the program was the result of a concerted effort to bring in new nurses and give them the right skills to support the work of GPs.
“It’s about creating a purpose-built primary care workforce that can work in collaboration with GPs to look after the community,” Ms Bush said.
“GPs can only see so many people and if we can value-add to client care, then that’s where the role of the skilled primary care nurse really comes into its own.”
Juana, East Gippsland’s only specialist respiratory nurse, doubles as GLCH’s program local mentor.
She shares her knowledge and experience to help nurses Aisha and Sharna grow into their jobs in GLCH’s Jemmeson Street clinic.
“I think it is a great way to support the nurses as we are able to give them assistance, guidance and emotional support in an area of nursing that has minimal training prior to starting in primary care,” Juana said.
“Sharing the experience, insights and knowledge I have gained over the years to transition into my role will help the TPP nurses to transition into this role successfully too.”
The 10-month program sees the nurses complete a series of flexible training modules with regular assessments, mentor meetings and frequent contact with offsite program coordinators.
Aisha appreciates Juana’s experience and no-fuss approach.
“We are very lucky to have Juana as our mentor,” she said.
“She has been super-supportive of Sharna and I since we started here as grad nurses and has a wealth of knowledge to offer.”
Sharna has also hit the ground running in her clinic role, recently helping drive a World Hand Hygiene Day promotion with Aisha as part of their study.
She said the extra guidance and support given by Juana has made a huge difference in moving into primary care.
“I haven’t been in the program for long, but so far it has been great,” she said.
“The assessments are easy to access, we have regular catch-ups with Juana to discuss our goals and work through any concerns we might have.”
Ms Bush said GLCH was firm on supporting its nurses with a clear career path and plan for generational change, which will be critical in future given East Gippsland’s ageing population.
The transition program makes up part of the Federal Government’s Nursing in Primary Health Care Program and is managed by the Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA).
