Continuing Education
Staff Responsible for the Continuing Education Programs:
Professional Practice Portfolios
As of the 1st July 2009 all registered nurses will be required to provide evidence of continuing professional development (CPD). Random audits will be conducted by the Nurses Board of Victoria (NBV). The NBV website contains comprehensive information as to what evidence will be required, including examples. Please visit theﾠNBV CPD Webpageﾠto ensure your portfolio meets the requirements.
Div 1 & Div 2 Scope of Nursing Practice Guidelines
Overview
In the last decade, the nursing profession has seen significant dynamic changes around the traditional definition of Division1 and Division 2 Registered Nurses. These changes have included the enhancement of education, the expansion of competencies and the subsequent increase in scope of practice. This scope of practice is continually changing for nurses as they have growing education opportunities to acquire new skill sets and competencies.
This guideline will direct all nursing practice by ensuring nurses make decisions that demonstrate clinical competency and accountability for the standard and scope of their own individual level of practice. The guideline will also inform other health professionals, health service providers and the community at The Royal Children’s Hospital of the evolving definition of Division 1 and Division 2 Nurses.
Division 1 and Division 2 Nurses are fundamental parts of the health care team and with this new wave of change, The Royal Children’s Hospital would like to better integrate and support Division 2 Nurses into the workforce.
Postgraduate Qualifications
The Royal Children's Hospital Foundation in collaboration with the Department of Health (DoH), Nurse Policy Branch (NPB) are offering scholarships for registered nurses to support postgraduate study in targeted areas of practice.
Scholarships of up to 100% of course fees will be awarded to successful applicants undertaking postgraduate studies within the followingﾠareas.
Postgraduate Scholarship opportunities for 2010.
Scholarships are available for students undertaking and completing the following postgraduate studies:
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Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma in Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing
- Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma of Nursing Practice (Peri-operative)
- Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma in Nursing Practice (Paediatric Critical care)
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Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma in Nursing Practice (Paediatrics)
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Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma in Nursing Practice (Emergency)
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Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma in Nursing Practice (Mental Health)
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Postgraduate Certifcate/Diploma Cancer Nursing
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Postgraduate Diploma in Adolescent Health & Welfare
Download the Postgraduate Application Guidelines here for review.ﾠ These guidelines contain important information about the application process.
Please note that Semester 1, 2010ﾠapplications will close 1 February 2010.
Applications for Semester 2 are due by 1 July, 2010 (Not required if already submitted for a full year in semester 1).
A Scholarship application form for funding assistance can be downloaded here.
If you are enrolled in any other postgraduate diploma or certificate and believe you may be eligible for funding, please contact Kylie Moon, Director - Nursing Workforce Development by email kylie.moon@rch.org.au.ﾠ.
Further information about the range of postgraduate opportunities for nurses working at the RCH can be found at the Nursing Servicesﾠpage.
Bringing Nurses Back into the Workforce
At the RCH we support nurses wishing to return to work after a period of absence. The RCH has 10 allocated places available for the Bringing Nurses Back Program from July 2009 until December 2009.
If you are a registered nurse/midwife (Division 1 in Victoria) or enrolled nurse (Division 2 in Victoria), or a level consistent to these, who has been employed previously in the Australian nursing workforce, but you have not worked as a nurse/midwife in Australia for 12 months, you may be eligible for cash bonuses to encourage you to return to work.
You are eligible for the Bringing Nurses Back into the Workforce cash bonus if you:
- have previously been employed as a registered nurse (Division 1 in Victoria) or enrolled nurse (Division 2 in Victoria) in the Australian nursing workforce
- have not been employed as a registered nurse (Division 1 in Victoria) or enrolled nurse (Division 2 in Victoria) in Australia within the past 12 months
- are registered or enrolled with the relevant state or territory regulatory authority or have qualifications that make you eligible for such registration or enrolment
- return to full time or part time work as a registered nurse (Division 1 in Victoria) or enrolled nurse (Division 2 in Victoria) as an employee of the RCH
- returned to work on or after the 15 January 2008
- are an Australian citizen or have permanent residency status
- meet any additional requirements of the relevant state or territory.
You are not eligible for this cash bonus if any of these apply to you:
- you returned to work as a registered nurse/midwife or enrolled nurse in Australia before 15 January 2008
- you are unable to gain registration or enrolment with the relevant state or territory regulatory authority
- you have been employed as a registered nurse/midwife or enrolled nurse in Australia within the past 12 months at the time you intend to return to work
- you are a registered nurse/midwife or enrolled nurse, or have qualifications that make you eligible for registration or enrolment, but have never been employed as a registered nurse/midwife or enrolled nurse in Australia
- you are under investigation or sanctioned under the relevant state or territory regulatory body
- you are employed as a registered nurse/midwife or enrolled nurse to provide services to a hospital or residential aged care home by an external body, e.g. nursing agency and/or
- you are or have been in receipt of a Bringing Nurses Back into the Workforce bonus payments through previous employment. This applies for the duration of the funding.
How will the program work for nurses within the RCH?
- A nurse will need to submit an Application Form with attached statutory declaration to Raelene McIntyre, Mackinnon Nursing Education and Development Centre
- A nurse can only apply to return to work in one facility under this program
- The first bonus payment of $3,000 (or pro rata equivalent) will be given six months after a nurse commences employment at the RCH and can only be paid if employment is continuous during this period
- After 18 months continuous employment in the RCH a nurse will be entitled to a final bonus payment of $3,000 (or pro rata equivalent)
- There are a limited number of places available under this program, so if you believe you are eligible, you should check now by contacting Raelene McIntyre Mackinnon Nursing Education and Development Centre Contact, 7th Floor, South East Building - phone 9345 5762.
How will bonus payments be treated for taxation and income purposes?
The $6,000 (or pro rata equivalent) is considered assessable income for personal taxation purposes under the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997, and will be taxed accordingly.
Division 2 Paid Study Leave
To assist Division 2 nurses to undertake courses that will develop their skills and knowledge, the Nurse Policy Branch offers a package of funding which includes:
- Course cost component (up to $300) to assist Division 2 nurses with course costs.
Division 2 nurses working in public health services throughout rural and metropolitan Victoria may be eligible for one or both components of the grant.
Applications will only be accepted through Mackinnon Nursing Education on behalf of individual nurses.
Division 2 nurses, wishing to apply for the grant should:
Step 1:Read the 2009/2010 guidelines. These guidelines contain important information about the application process and conditions of the grant
Step 2:Complete the Div 2 Course Reimbursement Application Form and Finance General Expenditure Form and forward all original and requested documentation to Raelene McIntyre in Mackinnon Nursing Education and Development Centre.
Closing Dates:
- 29 January 2010
- 30 April 2010
Contact:
Medication Package
Below are links to the generic Royal Childrens Hospital Medication Packages (with IV drug calculations for all RN Division 1 and without IV calculations for Medication Endorsed Division 2 Registered Nurses).
- Medication Package including IV drug calculations for Medication Endorsed Division 2 Registered Nurses
- Medication Package - without IV drug calculations for Medication Endorsed Division 2 Registered Nurses
There are two parts to achieving medication competency:
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Successful completion (achieving 100%) of the relevant Generic Medication Package
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Successful completion of the unit specific medication package
The generic medication package is to be completed upon commencement of employment with RCH in any clinical capacity.
Upon completion of the relevant medication package, please return to the Clinical Nurse Educator/Facilitator (CNE/F) of your unit for assessment and result entering. If there is no CNE/F on your unit, please return via internal mail to Patricia Josipovic, Manager Continuing Education, MacKinnon Nursing Education and Development Centre, Level 7, South East Building.
Please keep a copy for your records andﾠensure that your results are entered into Trendcare. Any questions please contact Patricia Josipovic on 9345 6352 or patricia.josipovic@rch.org.au.