Want to rediscover your passion for nursing? Want to play a crucial role in keeping people healthy and out of hospital? Through an Australian Government Initiative, you can reconnect with nursing within the supportive environment of general practice.
The Federal Government in encouraging up to 500 previously enrolled nurses, registered nurses and nurse practitioners across Australia to return to nursing to boost the primary care workforce through a paid, supervised placement in general practice.
Wentworth Healthcare, provider of the Nepean Blue Mountains Primary Health Network (NBMPHN), was selected to lead the delivery of the Nurse Re-entry Program on behalf of all PHNs at a national level and are coordinating the expressions of interest process.
Wentworth Healthcare CEO, Lizz Reay, said that the program is encouraging more nurses into general practice, which is helping to boost the healthcare workforce.
“This is a great opportunity for previously registered nurses to reconnect with their nursing career and help improve the health of their community,” said Ms Reay.
“The program is suitable for those who have been out of the nursing workforce for the last 5-10 years who would benefit from a supported journey back into nursing. Working in general practice has the added benefit of maintaining work-life balance, without returning to shift work, which is often one of the main reasons people leave or take a break from the profession,” she said.
Through the program, eligible nurses are matched with a general practice that will provide a paid supervised placement. The placements help nurses meet the Nursing Midwifery Board of Australia recency of practice standards and regain full registration by providing training and supervision to refresh skills and build capacity.
“It can be daunting to re-enter the nursing workforce after an extended period of leave. This program is taking the stress out of the process by offering support, training and supervision. Whether it’s been 5 years or 10, this is a chance for nurses to refresh their skills through general practice and help people within their own communities,” said Ms Reay.
The program is open to nurses who have been out of practice for 5-10 years, subject to eligibility. Those who may already be talking to a practice about a placement are encouraged to consider going through the program, which can support the process and provide a grant to the practice as an additional incentive. Recent graduates applying for registration for the first time or who currently hold student registration are not eligible.
This program also benefits practices by strengthening their teams and training nurses in-house. Eligible practices may receive a grant to support participation and are encouraged to employ the nurse permanently after the placement is complete.
Expressions of interest are now open for nurses who would like to be part of the program and for practices that would like to host a supervised placement. For more information, visit: nbmphn.com.au/NurseRe-entry
About Primary Health Networks (PHNs)
Primary Health Networks (PHNs) are funded by the Commonwealth Government to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of health services in the community, to improve the coordination of health services and to increase access and quality care. There are 31 PHNs nationally. The Nurse Re-entry Program is a national Australian Government initiative helping nurses to re-enter the workforce.