Nursing Australia

In this episode of Nursing Australia, hosted by Suzanne Blackeby, we hear:  

• The latest Nursing Australia News (01:31) 

Mandatory vaccines for residential Aged Care workers; The Commonwealth revises its national vaccine allocations as COVID reignites; a blood-test to diagnose Alzheimers; and Chris Hemsworth delivers vital equipment to a regional clinic.  

• 2021 Influenza vaccine update (03:58) 

The last 18 months has seen COVID stifle the conversation and awareness of other communicable diseases. Therefore, it may not surprise some of us to learn Influenza vaccination rates in Australia have waned recently. Is this COVID driven complacency? Or perhaps the decreased community mobility explains the lull?  

Year-to-date we are some 1.5 million flu jabs behind last year. So, it is vital that we continue to fly the health promotion flag for Influenza vaccination.  

This year the Australian Immunisation Handbook has heralded an exciting newcomer to the influenza vaccine game. A cell-based vaccine, which has only recently been approved for use in Australia. 

We caught up with two of our resident nurses here at APNA, RN and Nurse Immuniser Jo Millard and RN Matt St Ledger. 

APNA Members can catch the full panel discussion here: https://www.apna.asn.au/education/nursing-australia-podcast/ep14/what-s-new-in-flu-2021-

• Wound care online learning (14:37) 

Wound care, wound management, all things wounds are trending topics for nurses. Hear how Smith & Nephew are delivering free online learning modules for healthcare professionals and hosting specialised wound workshops at the upcoming 2021 APNA Conference Roadshow. 

https://closertozero.com.au 

https://www.apna.asn.au/education/roadshow  

• Exploring nurse clinics (20:08) 

Matt St Ledger caught up with APNA's Marg Dempsey and Chronic Disease Management Nurse Di Mears. Di has demonstrated amazing success in establishing a nurse-lead clinic in her practice in Toowoomba, Queensland. A brilliant initiative which ensures coordinated care for patients with coronary heart disease within a regional community. 

https://nurseclinics.apna.asn.au/ 

• Episode Outro (30:55) 

On the next episode of Nursing Australia, we are getting ready to hit the road so grab the latest on the 2021 APNA Conference Roadshow; discover how nurse certifiers are optimising diabetes management; and a new program which promises to enhance nursing practice for autism. 

Subscribe to The Connect: https://www.apna.asn.au/workflows/subscribe 

Click here to get in touch with Nursing Australia (send a text for free from anywhere in the world) #askusanything

Hosted & Produced by: Matthew St Ledger & Leith Alexander 
Produced by: Leith Alexander & Matthew St Ledger   

In this episode of Nursing Australia, hosted by Matthew St Ledger, we hear:  

• The latest Nursing Australia News (01:12) 

National vaccine hesitancy wains as Victorians endure COVID spike; Mandatory vaccines for Aged Care Workers back on the table; The World Health Organization agrees to ambitious reforms; and the UK approves single-shot COVID VAX; Nurses top most trusted professions list. 

• Nurse Spotlight: Inside Ireland's rollout (03:35) 

APNA's Sam Moses caught up with Siobhan, a Dublin based practice nurse who shared an Irish perspective on the rollout experience, the optimism inside COVID, and discussed vaccine hesitancy in her community or lack thereof. 

• Health Tech: Wearable glucose sensors (10:17) 

In recent years wearable glucose sensors have revolutionized diabetes management. These fully integrated devices allow diabetics to monitor their glucose levels with the swipe of a smart-phone. Find out how these devices are can aid nursing practice. 

https://www.freestylelibre.com.au/
Nurses can click the link below to find out more about the FreeStyle Libre system, access resources and register for related education, training and the ability to experience the system for themselves. Register here: https://rego.interact.technology/freestylelibre/

• 2021 APNA Conference Roadshow - latest update (15:57) 

Suzanne Blackeby drops by to give the inside scoop on the upcoming Conference Roadshow, coming this Spring! 

Links: 

https://www.apna.asn.au/education/roadshow 

• Episode Outro (20:30) 

Subscribe to The Connect: https://www.apna.asn.au/workflows/subscribe 

Click here to get in touch with Nursing Australia (send a text for free from anywhere in the world) #askusanything

Hosted & Produced by: Matthew St Ledger & Leith Alexander 
Produced by: Leith Alexander & Matthew St Ledger   

In this episode of Nursing Australia, hosted by Matthew St Ledger, we hear: 
- The latest Nursing Australia News (01:10)
The federal budget to bolster Aged Care & Womens Health; India faces a new threat as it continues to head towards one million COVID deaths; the global nurse shortage impacted by The COVID Effect; and a study links poor mental health to clinical errors.

- Nurse Spotlight: The Rollout - Linlin's Story (04:57)
We’re introducing the Nurse Spotlight segments in Nursing Australia to share some of your stories. To kick things off we caught up with LinLin, a Sydney based Nurse Vaccinator who shared her pandemic and rollout experience from the frontline.

- 2021 PulseCheck #1 – Survey Results (13:49)
Throughout 2020, APNA ran a series of workforce surveys to get feedback from nurses on the front line during the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey is back this year to get the views of nurses on the vaccine rollout. The results from the first survey are out and we are joined by APNA CEO Ken Griffin to discuss.
Find out more about the Federal Budget for Nurses:  https://www.apna.asn.au/docs/6bcfb4ab-e3b2-eb11-80dd-005056be66b1/May%202021%20-%20APNA%20response%20to%20the%20Federal%20Budget.pdf
Subscribe to The Connect: https://www.apna.asn.au/workflows/subscribe

- Rural Health Pro Scholarships Database (18:44)
APNA has partnered with the Rural Health Pro who provide nurses and nursing students access to a scholarships database. Participating in a conference, getting there and sorting accommodation can be quiet the juggle so these funds can certainly help. Plus we introduce the 2021 APNA Conference Roadshow.
Links: https://www.apna.asn.au/education/roadshow
https://www.ruralhealthpro.org/s/
https://www.ruralhealthpro.org/s/grants-and-funding   

- Wellness: Courageous Conversations with Margaret Smith (26:48)
Who hasn’t had a tough conversation at work, especially as a nurse? As our workloads grow we often find it hard to say no. Margaret Smith from Inspirational Coaching is here to give us some tips on tackling courageous conversations at work, setting boundaries and valuing our time and expertise so we become visible, valued and respected by our colleagues and managers.
https://www.ted.com/talks/casey_brown_know_your_worth_and_then_ask_for_it
https://www.ted.com/talks/julia_dhar_how_to_disagree_productively_and_find_common_ground
http://www.icoachu.com.au/home/

- Episode Outro (31:21)
Subscribe to The Connect: https://www.apna.asn.au/workflows/subscribe

Click here to get in touch with Nursing Australia (send a text for free from anywhere in the world) #askusanything

Hosted & Produced by: Matthew St Ledger & Leith Alexander 
Produced by: Leith Alexander & Matthew St Ledger   

In this episode of Nursing Australia, hosted by Matthew St Ledger, we hear: 

-        The latest Nursing Australia News (01:12)

The wheels fall off Australia’s COVID vaccine rollout; a second AstraZeneca clotting case reported in Australia; Johnson & Johnson vaccine clotting concerns in the US and COVID vaccines for kids and pet in the pipeline.

-        COVID Vax rollout expert panel Q&A (04:18)

APNA has been hosting a series of COVID webinars to keep nurses up-to-date on the vaccine rollout and have been receiving literally thousands of questions via APNA nurse support line. 

In past webinars we’ve had Q&A at the end of each session, but members have been calling for more. So in the most recent webinar we assembled an expert panel to answer any of your unanswered questions. We were joined by Prof. Robert Booy (U. Syd) Dr. Ketaki Sharma, Karen Booth, Suzanne Blackeby & Bec Cox. 

Webinar slides: https://apna.asn.au/files/DAM/1%20Education/Nursing%20Australia/COVID%20Webinar%206%20-%20QandA.pdf 

Subscribe to The Connect: https://www.apna.asn.au/workflows/subscribe 

We want to hear your COVID vaccine rollout stories:
Are you working on the COVID vaccine rollout and want to give your perspective? We are
searching for APNA members that are interested in being interviewed on APNA’s Nursing
Australia podcast and in other media. Click here to get in contact:
  https://forms.office.com/r/uiGEm61ksw

-        Digital Health: The Nurse Transformers Project (01:01:04)

APNA has partnered with the Australian Digital Health Agency (ADHA) to transform how we use digital health in practice. This exciting initiative is about embracing technology head-on and bringing our nursing colleagues along for the ride. Together we can ensure digital platforms like My Health Record are utilized to their full extent. 

Meet two of APNA's Nurse Transformers Tammy & Mary-Ann and find out how they are creating Nurse digital champions.

Listen to the full interview here: https://apna.asn.au/hub/digital-health--the-nurse-transformers-project 

Australian Digital Health Agency: https://www.digitalhealth.gov.au/ 

-        Nurse wellness with Steve Fearns: Tips for being an effective communicator and acing presentations (01:08:37)

As healthcare professionals great communication really is paramount. On the daily we present to colleagues, patients and those around us. Leadership Consultant Steve Fearns dropped by the APNA office armed with a few tips on become an effective communicator and acing presentations.

Steve Fearns Leadership Consultant: www.linkedin.com/in/stevefearns

Click here to get in touch with Nursing Australia (send a text for free from anywhere in the world) #askusanything

Hosted & Produced by: Matthew St Ledger & Leith Alexander 
Produced by: Leith Alexander & Matthew St Ledger   

In this episode of Nursing Australia, hosted by Suzanne Blackeby, we hear: 

-        The latest Nursing Australia News (01:45)

Phase 1B of the COVID vaccine rollout begins, Aussie made AstraZeneca vaccines come online and flooding on the east coast affects already hard-hit communities.  

-        COVID vaccines: Record, recall, report (04:04)

The speed at which the COVID-19 vaccine rollout is being implemented means it’s natural for nurses to be left with a few unanswered questions. But fear not, APNA’s got you covered. We have been in active discussions with the Department of Health for many months now and are bringing you the information we learn via The Connect, in our COVID webinar series and on Nursing Australia. 

Our most recent APNA COVID Webinar covered all you need to know about recording COVID-19 vaccinations in the AIR and reporting side-effects. We discussed the information you need to provide, what this looks like in your practice software, as well as some of the broader considerations for COVID-19 vaccination reporting.

We were joined by Katrina Otto and Marg Windsor. 

Webinar slides: https://apna.asn.au/files/DAM/1%20Education/Other%20Events/COVID%20Webinar%205%20-%20Record%20recall%20report.pdf 

Dept Health FAQs covid-19-vaccine-general-questions-for-vaccine-providers: https://apna.asn.au/files/DAM/1%20Education/Other%20Events/Dept%20Health%20FAQs%20covid-19-vaccine-general-questions-for-vaccine-providers.pdf 

APNA & Train IT Medical FAQs - COVID-19 Vaccine Technology webinar: https://apna.asn.au/files/DAM/1%20Education/Other%20Events/APNA%20%20%20Train%20IT%20Medical%20FAQs%20-%20COVID-19%20Vaccine%20Technology%20webinar.pdf 

Subscribe to The Connect: https://www.apna.asn.au/workflows/subscribe 

-        A stroke every nine minutes (01:06:49)

387,000 Australians experience stroke in their lifetimes, that’s a stroke every 9 minutes in our country. The first point of contact for many people experiencing signs of stroke will be in primary care. The Stroke Foundation explains what primary care nurses can do to turn these numbers around and what nurses should do when face with a patient presenting with signs of stroke.

The Stroke Foundation: https://strokefoundation.org.au/ 

EnableMe: https://enableme.org.au/ 

InformMe: https://informme.org.au/ 

-        Nurse wellness with Sarah Cosgrave: Relaxation techniques (01:16:02)

Looking after our own wellbeing is so important. Nurse Sarah Cosgrave is back to give us some ways to chill out and take some time for ourselves.

The Nurtured Nurse Project: http://sarahcosgrave.com/ 

Click here to get in touch with Nursing Australia (send a text for free from anywhere in the world) #askusanything

Hosted & Produced by: Matthew St Ledger & Leith Alexander 
Produced by: Leith Alexander & Matthew St Ledger   

In this episode of Nursing Australia, hosted by Suzanne Blackeby, we hear: 

• The latest Nursing Australia News (01:05)

Ireland holts the use of the AstraZeneca COVID vaccine, PNG’s COVID-19 outbreak and vaccine rollout begins in Torres Strait Islands. 

• Aged Care Royal Commission Final Report (02.52)

After more than 10,000 submissions, evidence from 641 witnesses and more than two years, The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety has handed down its final report. 

Royal Commissioners have made 148 wide-ranging recommendations for the fundamental reform of the aged care system in Australia. The report titled ‘Care, Dignity and Respect’ was tabled in federal parliament earlier this month.  

APNA Aged Care Planning and Advisory Group nominations: https://apna.asn.au/profession/acpag

• Setting up your COVID vaccination clinic (09:05)

To ensure nurses are up to date with the latest on the COVID vaccine rollout, APNA are hosting a special series of live webinars. The recordings of these are available here on Nursing Australia. To view the slides for the webinars, listen to Nursing Australia via the APNA website or if you are listening to audio only via a podcast listening app.

In the fourth webinar we were joined by Marg Jennings and Margaret Dempsey to discuss how to set up your COVID vaccination clinic.

Marg began by speaking about Infection prevention & control and then Margaret outlines how a nurse-led clinic model can be established. 

Download the slides here: https://apna.asn.au/files/DAM/1%20Education/Other%20Events/COVID%20Webinar%204%20-%20Setting%20up%20your%20clinic.pdf 

• Nurse wellness with Sarah Cosgrave (01:04:42)

As we know there is a busy period ahead for nurses working in primary health care. It’s important to remember to take some time for us and stop. 

Nurse Sarah Cosgrave is back to run us through a meditation that will help us prepare for the future.

Visit Sarah’s website: http://sarahcosgrave.com/ 

Click here to get in touch with Nursing Australia (send a text for free from anywhere in the world) #askusanything

Hosted & Produced by: Matthew St Ledger & Leith Alexander 
Produced by: Leith Alexander & Matthew St Ledger   

In this episode of Nursing Australia, hosted by Suzanne Blackeby, we hear: 

- The latest Nursing Australia News (01:25)

The rollout begins, a nurse steps in during a COVID vaccine overdosing error, the WHO warn of ‘long COVID’ and The Royal Commission into Aged Care final report handed down.

- APNA’s campaign for MBS items (03:47)

The Australian COVID-19 Vaccination program is up and running with thousands of Australians expected to be vaccinated in the coming weeks, including residents in Aged Care.  

While this implementation has been rushed, it’s great to have it underway and we wish all aged care nurses well as they take the lead.

A major concern for general practices nurses has been the Medicare Benefits Scheme items for the rollout. APNA understands that not providing a way for a nurse to bill for their time to give the COVID vaccines would restrict Australia’s 14,500 practice nurses from playing the fullest role they can in the rollout. 

In the last few days and after significant engagement with government, APNA welcomes the removal of some of the barriers that would have constrained practice nurses.

MBS factsheet: http://www.mbsonline.gov.au/internet/mbsonline/publishing.nsf/Content/CC1972BC986AAC8ECA25867D00078BDD/$File/factsheet-vacsmar21.pdf 

APNA COVID webpage: https://apna.asn.au/hub/news/coronavirusinfofornurses 

- APNA Insurance – March special: https://apna.asn.au/membership/insurance 

- Vaccine hesitancy and what to do (10:15)

To ensure nurses are up to date with the latest on the COVID vaccine rollout, APNA are hosting a special series of live webinars. The recordings of these are available here on Nursing Australia. To view the slides for the webinars, listen to Nursing Australia via the APNA website or if you are listening to audio only via a podcast listening app. 

In the third webinar Julie Leask took us through Vaccine hesitancy and what to do. 

Julie is professor and social scientist at the University of Sydney. She studies what people think and do about it, programs and policies. She has a background in public health and prior to that in nursing and midwifery. She is visiting fellow at the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance and advisor to the World Health Organization.

Webinar slides: https://apna.asn.au/files/DAM/1%20Education/Vaccine%20hesitancy%20and%20what%20to%20do%20-%20Slides.pdf 

Subscribe to The Connect: https://apna.asn.au/workflows/subscribe 

- Cancer in primary health care (01:01:26)

Primary health care is playing an increasingly important role throughout a patient’s cancer journey, from prevention through to palliative care. 

We’re joined by Kristy Millie, the national manager of the primary care collaborative cancer clinical trials group, PC4. She’s also the host of ‘Research Roundup’, a podcast for people interested in cancer in primary care. 

Listen to ‘Research Roundup’: http://pc4tg.com.au/tag/podcast-research-roundup 

- Nurse wellness with Dr Avi: Engagement (01:04:27)

For our nurse wellness segment in this episode Dr Avi is back to speak about nurse wellbeing, resilience and self-care and ultimately self-leadership.

Click here to get in touch with Nursing Australia (send a text for free from anywhere in the world) #askusanything

Hosted & Produced by: Matthew St Ledger & Leith Alexander 
Produced by: Leith Alexander & Matthew St Ledger   

In this episode of Nursing Australia, hosted by Suzanne Blackeby, we hear: 
- The latest Nursing Australia News (01:21)
Coronavirus jumps rooms in a quarantine hotel, EOI for GP’s interested in giving out the vaccine closes and AstraZeneca vaccine may not be as effective with new variants. 

- COVID Vaccine roll-out: Alison McMillan Q&A (03:04)
To ensure that nurses are kept up to speed on the COVID vaccine rollout, APNA is hosting a series of webinars for members. In the second webinar of the series, we were joined by Alison McMillan, Australia’s Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer. 
Subscribe to The Connect: https://www.apna.asn.au/workflows/subscribe 

APNA Professional Indemnity Insurance: https://www.apna.asn.au/insurance

- COVID vaccines: Challenges for nurses (52:36)
It’s a busy time in primary health care, particularly in general practice due to the imminent arrival of both the COVID and flu vaccines. In the next few months there will be some unique challenges for nurses to navigate.
FIVEaa Radio: https://www.fiveaa.com.au 

- Two Humerus Nurses (01:00:56)
Nursing is challenging, confronting and serious – people’s lives are in our hands. It is said that if you don’t laugh you cry – a lot. Working in such serious roles, nurses need a good laugh from time to time. We introduce you to Kelly and Alisha and their new podcast Two Humerus Nurses: https://open.spotify.com/show/6VHiOub0iSRuTSTFmtOZWe?si=qktKWR35SfC1B9x7m3jy9A

Click here to get in touch with Nursing Australia (send a text for free from anywhere in the world) #askusanything

Hosted & Produced by: Matthew St Ledger & Leith Alexander 
Produced by: Leith Alexander & Matthew St Ledger   

In this episode of Nursing Australia, hosted by Suzanne Blackeby, we hear: 

-        The latest Nursing Australia News (02:15)

Australia’s holiday break and new year celebrations marred by outbreaks, lockdowns and border closures, the government sets out its plans for the COVID 19 Vaccine rollout and the death toll in the US reaches 400,000 Americans. 

-        COVID vaccination planning for primary health care nurses (05:09)

### To view the slides for this presentation, please click here: https://apna.asn.au/education/nursing-australia-podcast/ep6#s1

There’s a lot of content out there at the moment about the Australian rollout of COVID vaccines and the topic is moving so fast. It’s hard for nurses to keep up. 

That’s why APNA is hosting a series of webinars to keep members up-to-date with the latest. 

In the first webinar we discussed the Australian Government COVID vaccination policy and subsequent planning requirements relevant for primary health care nurses.

-        Nurse wellness with Dr Avi – emotional intelligence (48:30)

Keeping ourselves well this year is key to ensure that as nurses, we can help others as the global pandemic continues. Dr Avi is here to tell us how to connect into our emotional intelligence and how to better help our patients. 

Click here to get in touch with Nursing Australia (send a text for free from anywhere in the world) #askusanything

Hosted & Produced by: Matthew St Ledger & Leith Alexander 
Produced by: Leith Alexander & Matthew St Ledger   

In this episode of Nursing Australia, hosted by Suzanne Blackeby, we hear:
- The latest Nursing Australia News (01:34)
COVID jabs have begun, Melbourne emerges from its lockdown, 15,000 new nurses and midwives graduate, ANMF voices concern over retirement policies and record APNA Workforce Survey.

- Your year (05:44)
Nurses this year have done some amazing things this year, keeping people alive and safe in some really hard conditions.

Some nurses have not been put off by all the change and disruption that they have faced, and have continued to push the boundaries and grow their scope of practice, to better help their patients and their communities.

Rebecca, Nadine and Shelly are great examples of this. This is a snapshot of their 2020.

- COVID vaccine rollout (07:55)
Next year is going to bring us nurses the next challenge, the COVID 19 vaccine rollout. A national cross-population immunisation program that has never been done before in Australia.

Professor Michael Kidd is the Deputy Chief Medical Officer and Principal Medical Advisor for the department of Health and Professor of Primary Care Reform at The Australian National University.

He is a world-leading authority on primary health care, having worked in senior leadership positions in Australia and around the world, including the World Health Organization. He has vast experience of national and global health systems.

Additional resources:
Long version of interview - https://apna.asn.au/hub/covid-vaccine-rollout---december-2020
APNA immunisation page - https://www.apna.asn.au/nursing-tools/clinical-resource-information/immunisation
ATAGI paper - https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/atagi-preliminary-advice-on-general-principles-to-guide-the-prioritisation-of-target-populations-in-a-covid-19-vaccination-program-in-australia
National COVID-19 Vaccination Policy - https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/australian-covid-19-vaccination-policy

- Student Nurse Placement Program: Grace’s story (18:42)
Over the last few months and with the help of APNA, Monash University nursing students have been supported to complete their clinical placements that were disrupted by COVID-19.

This has been a mammoth task and has taken the collaboration of Monash, APNA, registered nurses, nurse practitioners and general practices throughout Victoria.

Impacted by the COVID-19 restrictions at hospitals and aged care facilities, some settings were unable to offer their usual placements, so Monash Nursing and Midwifery and APNA came to the rescue, organising placement alternatives for 400 student nurses.

Clinical placements are an integral part of Monash University's Bachelor of Nursing course,
with students needing to complete approximately 840 clinical hours during the three years of
the course in a variety of clinical and health settings.

Thanks to the program, next-generation nurses like Grace MacKay are getting the
opportunity to hone their clinical skills while experiencing the diversity of primary health care. This is Grace’s story.

APNA is expanding the program in 2021 and is searching for Nurse Supervisors from across the country to host students. If you’re interested, email Sam Moses – [email protected]

- APNA Christmas Elves (25:33)
With the turbulent year that 2020 has been, the team here at APNA wanted to give you a little laugh, so the APNA elves are here to send you some festive cheer.

Click here to get in touch with Nursing Australia (send a text for free from anywhere in the world) #askusanything

Hosted & Produced by: Matthew St Ledger & Leith Alexander 
Produced by: Leith Alexander & Matthew St Ledger