Abstract:
The ever-increasing demand for health care services and the decreasing workforce number has made it possible to recognize the services of nursing practitioners. NP’s are individuals licensed under Australian law to conduct advanced assessment of patients, prescribe medications, order diagnostic tests, and as well refer the patients to other health care practitioners. The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council (ANMC, 2006) requires NP’s to undertake further training to gain accreditation for a minimum of three years after being registered. The work of a NP also includes working in a collaborative capacity and a wide range of other health professionals to achieve positive patient outcomes (ANMC, 2006. 2; ANF, 2008). According to Della, Gardner, and Middleton, only 158 NPs were authorized to prescribe medication in Australia with Medical Benefits Scheme [MBS] and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme [PBS]. The Australian College of Nurse practitioners currently has 400 endorsed NPs as members (Lumby, Robins & Woods, 2010). The Federal government issued [MBS] provider numbers to those in private practice, this gives them the ability to charge for consultation order diagnostic tests, prescribe from [PBS] and write referrals (Lumby, Robins & Woods, 2010).
Statistically, New South Wales has the highest number of Nurse Practioners (26%) and is followed closely by Queensland with 25%. Northern Territory and Tasmania is last in the list with 2% each. The federal government has been at the forefront in funding scholarships for Nursing Practitioners and in 2009, The Federal Government provided $2.1 million in 2009 for funding of 80 NP scholarships, to be trained over the following two years (The Lamp, 2009). Queensland Health is currently providing financial incentives, such as scholarships to increase the number of Nurse Practitioners. The campaign targeted nurses in rural and remote areas to upgrade their skills to NP in the areas of aged care, mental health, women’s and men’s health and drug and alcohol (The Lamp, 2009). The government now acknowledges the value of the Nurse Practitioner role as a way to address the future needs of the ageing and ever growing population of Australia (Queensland Health, 2011). Access to the Medical Benefit Schedule provider number that was granted in 2010 allows them to charge for services provided and allows the consumer to claim a rebate from Medicare. The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council competency standards incorporate several competency based core components, which involve advanced physical assessment and analysis. The components are based on knowledge of pathophysiology and a range of human sciences integral to nursing. In terms of furthering their careers, University Programs are available for nurses to advance their knowledge in principles of primary health, public health, principles of adult education, national and international contemporary health care system, experience in clinical management, leadership skills and clinical masters in the specialty.
Rural communities in Australia have benefitted the most for the services of Nursing Practioners because they are the only providers of safe and effective care and as well, rural regions have few or no doctors. Clients have access to safe, quality care, due to the practitioner’s high level of skills and clinical experience required for endorsement (Bagg, 2004; Lumby, Robins & Woods, 2010.
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