Overview
The Australian College of Nursing emphasises the importance of specialised qualifications for nurses working in maternal, child, and family health nursing (MCFHN) to ensure high-quality, expert care. While recognising the distinct roles of Registered Nurses (RNs) and Registered Midwives (RMs), ACN advocates for RNs with specialized qualifications in MCFHN, underscoring the significance of their knowledge and skills in clinical care, child development, family dynamics, and health promotion, while emphasizing the crucial role of midwives in supporting expectant and new mothers and infants.
ACN calls on nursing and midwifery regulators to protect the public and maintain the role of MCFHN as a nursing specialisation. ACN is committed to collaborating with regulators, state and federal nursing union representatives and professional organisations to supports an appropriately qualified MCFHN workforce, skilled, and equipped to provide the best possible care to parents, children, and families.
Key recommendations
ACN recommends:
- Support higher education organisations with scholarships to support RNs to complete postgraduate qualifications in MCFH and work in MCFHN roles, particularly in rural and remote areas.
- Address concerns among recent newly RNs that dissuades them from pursuing MCFHN roles.
