Often I hear of incidents where nurses and other personal working in the general practice setting are requested to perform activities that they have not received appropriate training for or for which they do not current competency. The Australian Nursing Federation Position Statement for nurses working in general practice advises that:

• All nurses employed in general medical practice must have a clear role description with a scope of practice that is appropriate to the educational preparation of the nurse and consistent with the legislative framework of the state or territory in which the nurse is employed.
• Enrolled nurses employed within general medical practice must have clear and appropriate supervisory arrangements in place and work within a scope of practice that is consistent with their educational preparation. Enrolled nurses work under the direction and supervision of registered nurses. That supervision may be direct or indirect.

The complete position statement can be located on the CSGPN web site. You can also visit the Australian Nursing Federation website - www.anf.org.au - for information including other position statements covering continuing competence; domestic violence; Indigenous health; professional development; quality use of medicines and refugees.

CNE points
Nurses! Looking for CPD hours? Don’t forget most of the CSGPN workshops will provide you with education hours. If you don’t have a copy of the CSGPN CPD calendar February to June go to http://csgpn.org.au to download a PDF copy. Alternatively on the front page of our web site you can access ‘Upcoming CPD events’ on the right hand side of the page.

The Australian Practice Nurse Association also offers Continuing Professional Development for practice nurses.

Mental Health 1 is an online course developed for APNA by the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses which provides 2 CPD hours. Course content comprises:

1. About Mental Health
2. Identify Mental Health Problems in General Practice
3. Communications
4. Mental Health and risk Management

Mental health 2: Course content comprises:

1. The role of the Mental Health Team
2. Depression
3. Anxiety and Psychotic Disorders
4. Eating Disorders and Dementia
5. Mental health Problems
6. Early intervention in Mental Health
7. Types of Treatment

Influenza prevention for nurses
This interactive online learning course has been designed to provide GPs and practice nurses with concise, practice-based information to support the safe administration of influenza vaccines to individual’s ≥6 months of age. By increasing vaccination rates, this program aims to reduce the burden of influenza in the community.

The information contained in this course is aligned with recommendations in the Australian Immunisation Handbook, 9th edition, 2008. It also provides 1.5 CPD hours for Nurses and 3 Category 2 points in the RACGP QI & CPD program.