4.3 Strategies for supporting practices
to recruit or retain the services of
a practice nurse
The divisions of general practice are a focal point in coordinating
the needs of general practitioners and their practices. Divisions
are the best placed organisations to play a role in supporting
general practitioners in the recruitment and provision of ongoing
support of practice nurses. Divisions have a knowledge and
understanding of the context in which practice nursing services
are provided.
Divisions can support practices to employ or retain a practice nurse in a number of ways. The supports listed below are drawn
from the AGPN Demonstration Divisions Nursing in General
Practice National Resource Kit (see http://www.adgp.com.au/site/index.cfm?display=3018 ).
The role of divisions includes:
• assessing the member practices in terms of the relevant barriers to practices employing a nurse
• developing strategies to overcome the barriers to uptake
and enhance the contribution of nursing to general practice.
These strategies may be to:
— develop the business case for the actual and potential clinical contribution of the nurse to general practice and
the relevant models of
— employment
— involve practice nurses during the planning,
implementation and evaluation phases of any
new initiatives
— support upskilling and refresher programs for
practice nurses
— foster regular networking activities, and provide regular
information on current programs of interest
— support clinical audit and practice management support
— manage contracts or employ nurses on behalf of practices
— monitoring to enhance the capacity of nurses to work
collaboratively as part of the team.
Benefits of divisional practice nurse support include:
• increased recognition and promotion of the general practice nurse workforce
• professional development opportunities
• overcoming the isolation experienced by practice nurses
• clarification of issues relating to supervision and mentoring
• increased satisfaction and pride in their work
• greater rapport and interaction amongst local nurses
• opportunities for nurses to vent frustrations and problems
and to seek solutions amongst their peers and with
Division representatives
• networking and opportunities to share experiences
and knowledge
• dissemination of information pertinent to the general practice
• assistance in the implementation of the various DOHA
Nursing in General Practice initiatives
• stronger links with the community through participation in
divisional programs
• increased capacity for practice nurses to undertake
extended roles in chronic disease management and
preventive/population health
• programs
• the opportunity to have a collective voice through
participation in practice nurse networks.
Divisions may also provide support by:
• assisting with recruitment of a practice nurse
• establishing a register of nurses interested in working or contracting a nurse to work in a practice
• development and dissemination of local community and
referral information.
For further information refer to the AGPN Demonstration Divisions Nursing in General Practice National Resource Kit at
http://www.adgp.com.au/site/index.cfm?display=3018
Nursing in General Practice Information Kit
Divisions may also find useful information in a nursing in general practice information kit that has been distributed to every
Australian general practice, state based organisation and key
nursing and general practice organisations.
The information kit aims to provide the general practice team
with guidance on roles and responsibilities, legislative, regulatory,
employment and human resource support information to assist
general practices to effectively include a nurse within their
general practice team.
The information kit may be downloaded from Royal College of
Nursing, Australia (RCNA)
http://www.rcna.org.au or nigp@health.gov.au to request a copy.
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