Aged care nurses embark on ‘life changing’ learning

Nurses at aged care providers RSL Care + RDNS and HammondCare have received some extra recognition this International Nurses Day.

Graduates Anne Kent, Emma Sweenie, Kim Dobson, Holly Wilson and Briohny McCann.

Nurse Emma Sweenie is among five enrolled nurses celebrating their first International Nurses Day as recent graduates of a provider’s transition program.

The six-month RSL Care + RDNS’ transition to practice program gives enrolled nurse graduates the opportunity to expand their professional community nursing practice through learning time and six study days to develop clinical skills.

The program has been a “life-changing experience,” said Ms Sweenie.

“I have loved working with my mentor and my team and feel very lucky to be involved with such a supportive organisation.”

The new graduates completed the program with a graduation workshop late last month.

Transitional support co-ordinator Jacinta Allen said the participants’ enthusiasm had a positive influence on clients and other staff. 

“They will now continue on their journey by putting theory into practice and working independently within our organisation, while still having the support of their colleagues,” Ms Allen said.

Planning is now underway for a further program later this year.

RSL Care + RDNS said it hoped to expand the program from community nursing into its broader operations.

Three international nursing scholarships announced

Aged and healthcare provider HammondCare has awarded three of its nurses with international scholarships to further their studies in palliative care in the UK and New Zealand.

Janelle Chruszcz

Greenwich Hospital-based nurse Janelle Chruszcz has been awarded the $40,000 St Christopher Hospice scholarship, which includes a six week placement at the UK world leading palliative care hospice.

General manager of HammondCare’s Health and Hospitals Stewart James said the scholarship would allow Ms Chruszcz to learn about different models of palliative care.

“She will gain experience and exposure to palliative care practices in other care settings, both within Australia and internationally that she can bring back and share with other staff at Greenwich,” Mr James said.

Suzanne Sara and Rachael Zielinski have been awarded the 2017 HammondCare Hospice NZ Palliative Care Nursing Scholarship.

Suzanne Sara and Rachael Zielinski

The scholarships involve experiential learning in palliative care at Hospice Taranaki in New Plymouth and Otago Community Hospice in Dunedin.

Ms Sara said she was looking forward to witnessing the Tikanga guidelines of care in action, which respect Maori values and beliefs in frontline service delivery.

Ms Zielinski said she was hoping to broaden her knowledge, meet others with a passion for providing exceptional, holistic palliative care and bring new ideas back to her workplace.

Related AAA coverage: ‘Share that you care’ about nurses, says provider

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Tags: emma-sweenie, hammondcare, international-nurses-day, nurses, Rsl-Care-+-RDNS, workforce,

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