3.1 Practice nursing in Australia
Nursing in general practice is a dynamic and vibrant area of the nursing profession. It offers a diverse range of experiences
and provides the opportunity to be part of a clinical team caring
for the varied primary care needs of the community. Nursing
in general practice represents a shift from a hospital-based
environment to a small business environment located in the
local community.
A practice nurse is a registered nurse or an enrolled nurse (Division 1 and 2 in Victoria) who is employed by, or whose
services are otherwise retained by, a general practice.
More than 5,000 practice nurses are estimated to be employed
in general practice and more than half (57%) of general practices
are reported to employ a practice nurse, according to the AGPN
National Practice Nurse Workforce Survey 2006.
Practice nurses work collaboratively with general practitioners
providing a range of services, including chronic disease
management and population health activities. Their role
is diverse and influenced by factors such as the practice
population, nurses’ qualifications, practice structure,
professional standards and national incentives and programs.
Nurses are core members of the general practice team, enabling practices to meet the diverse and complex health care needs of
an ageing population, with increasing rates of chronic disease
and illness.
The growing burden of chronic disease and patient demand has increased GP workloads. Nurses in general practice work with
GPs to provide efficient and effective health care to all patients.
A range of Australian and international literature identifies some
of the benefits nurses can bring to a practice. These include:
• improved health outcomes in chronic illness1
• assistance in primary-acute sector integration
• better coordination of care
• increased workforce capacity
• provision of practical and professional support to GPs
• enhancement of the range of services available to people
attending the practice.2
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