The first independent review of Australian nursing preparation since 2002 – Educating the Nurse of the Future – will commence this year.
The Minister for Regional Services Bridget McKenzie said that the Review will examine how we prepare and educate nurses to ensure they continue to meet the expectations of the community and maintain their professional standards.
“Nurses hold a very special place in our community and the medical profession and we want to make sure this continues to be the case,” Minister McKenzie said.
“The Review will look at issues like making sure the nursing profession remains an attractive career option for students; ensuring that our nursing education system is internationally competitive and that career pathways for the Enrolled, Registered Nurses and Nurse Practitioners are relevant.
“It will also look at the nursing requirements of regional Australia which is critical as we look towards increasing the number of health professionals outside of our capital cities.”
The Terms of Reference for the Review are to examine:
- the effectiveness of current educational preparation of and articulation between enrolled and registered nurses and nurse practitioners in meeting the needs of health service delivery
- factors that affect the choice of nursing as an occupation, including for men
- the role and appropriateness of transition to practice programs however named and
- the competiveness and attractiveness of Australian nursing qualifications across international contexts.
“I am very pleased that we have appointed Emeritus Professor Steven Schwartz AM to undertake the Review,” Minister McKenzie said.
“Professor Schwartz has tremendous experience both in Australia and internationally and brings real-world commercial involvement to the role.
“In particular, his experience as Vice Chancellor for three universities demonstrates that he understands the changing role of these institutions and how they need to reflect the demands of the nursing profession.
“I want to thank Professor Schwartz for taking on this important Review and look forward to the final publication.”
