Fed: Expert team to review nursing education

AAP General News (Australia)
04-30-2001
Fed: Expert team to review nursing education

CANBERRA, April 30 AAP - A national review of nursing education would be conducted
this year in a bid to keep education and training in line with changing labour force needs.

The review team would be led by experienced health administrator Patricia Heath, Education
Minister David Kemp and Health Minister Michael Wooldridge said in a statement.

It is expected to make recommendations on education and training to meet emerging labour
force needs, including practical training and re-entry to the workforce.

The types of skills and knowledge required to meet the changing needs of nurses and
ways of attracting new recruits, also will be examined.

Another aspect of the review will determine how to encourage further study for nurses
throughout their career.

Dr Wooldridge said the review needed to look at the effectiveness of current arrangements
for the education and training of nurses including enrolled, registered and specialist
nurses.

"We also need to understand better the factors in the labour market that affect the
employment of nurses and the choice of nursing as a career," he said.

The last review of nursing education was held in 1994, a year after the transfer of
nurse training from hospitals to universities was finalised.

Since that review, links between nursing education and the demands of the labour market
had become a focus of increasing debate.

The team is expected to report early next year.

AAP dep/daw/bwl

KEYWORD: NURSES (CARRIED EARLIER)

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