The Australian College of Nursing (ACN) is hosting its annual Community and Primary Health Care Nursing Week from 17 – 23 September with events held across the country to celebrate the nurses who work in aged care, social services, general practice, prisons, community groups and educational institutions of all levels.
“This year’s theme is ‘Nurses where you need them’, highlighting the contribution community and primary health care nurses (CPHCNs) make to our health care system and society,” said Australian College of Nursing CEO Adjunct Professor Kylie Ward FACN.
“In Australia, one in eight practicing nurses work in the primary and community health care sector.
“CPHCNs provide vital care to patients in metropolitan areas, but also in regional, rural and remote locations. Roles such as health promotion, immunisation, child and family health nursing, and public health are often delivered by the nurses in this area.
“For a high capacity, integrated CPHC system to operate to its full potential within any effective health care model, ACN calls for all CPHCNs, including Nurse Practitioners, to be able to work to their full scope of practice.
“As our population grows and ages, with increasingly complex and diverse illnesses, CPHCNs are well-placed to respond and meet the health care needs and challenges of our community.
“We urge nursing students or nurses contemplating a career change to consider the rewards being a leader in community and primary health care nursing offers.
“ACN would like to thank and acknowledge Regal Home Health, and its contributions to our national campaign this year as our principal partner.”
To host an event or for more information on the campaign, click: https://www.acn.edu.au/event/community-and-primary-health-care-nursing-week.
