Australian College of Children and Young People’s Nurses – A Reality

Why one organisation? The visibility of nurses who work with children and young people is not evident in: – Workforce statistic – Educational programs for advance practice The collective voice of nurses who work with Children and Young People will have more influence in policy and health planning than small individual organisations

Visibility of Child and Young People's Nursing In the last AIHW Nursing and Midwifery work force report Child and Family Nurses represented 2.7% of nursing workforce (1) Children and Young People represent 22% of population – the percentage of nurses working with this population should be higher Names of the roles are many and varied We do not present as a unified workforce (1) AIHW National Health Labour Force Series 2005

Table 1: Employed registered nurses: principal area of main job, states and territories, 2005

Where do Children and Young People’s Nurses Work? Hospitals Community Disability services Royal Flying Doctor Service Primary Care Settings General Practice Correctional centres Schools

Post Graduate Education Not all courses that prepare nurses for advanced practice for children and young people’s nursing include a reference to children and young people in the title. College of Nursing – Graduate Certificate in Child and Family health College of Nursing Graduate Certificate in Paediatric Nursing Studies WA- Postgraduate Diploma in Family and Community Health WA- Princess Margaret Hospital –Postgraduate Certificate in Paediatric Nursing ACT Graduate Diploma in Paediatric and Child Health Nursing (467AA) Qld – QUT Graduate Certificate in Paediatric, Child and Youth Health NT - CDU- Graduate Diploma in Child and Family Health VIC La Trobe Postgraduate Diploma of Nursing Science in Child, Family and Community SA - Flinders Graduate Certificate in Health (Child, Adolescent and Family Health Nursing) VIC - Deakin- Grad Dip Nursing Practice QLD- ACU Graduate Certificate in Clinical Nursing QLD- CQU Masters of clinical practice – specialisation in paediatrics

The Journey towards a College 1992 When the ACPCHN-INC Constitution was established, one of long-term visions of the Confederation was to realise the development of a National College of Children’s Nurses.

The Journey Continues May The Australian Confederation of Paediatric and Child Health Nurses (ACPCHN Inc.) began with the amalgamation of the Queensland, Tasmanian, Victorian and New South Wales Paediatric Nurses Association in Sydney It was agreed at that time that the Australian Confederation of Paediatric Nurses (ACPN) should be formed with representation from each state organisation.

The Journey Continues The coming together of nurses working with children in all settings formed influential professional body acting on behalf of children within the context of the family, families and the nurse who cares for them

The Journey Continues States and Territories gradually joined 1992 South Australia 1994 Western Australia

The Journey Continues 1996 The membership of the organisation and its functions had expanded beyond paediatric nursing and it was decided by unanimous agreement to change the name of the organisation to the Australian Confederation of Paediatric and Child Health Nurses to more accurately reflect the vision of the group 2003 Northern Territory joined.

The Recent Journey May Two working parties were established to look at two potential models for the future Organisation - one being the development of a stronger national entity and the other to look at becoming a College.

The Recent Journey October 2007 The outcomes from each of the work groups were presented to the National Executive at the face-to-face meeting in A vote was taken and a decision made to form both a national organisation and a college.

The Recent Journey 2008 – May Key decisions were made with a majority of states agreeing 2008 – September 4th September the College became a registered company limited by guarantee Five state organisations and the national ACPCHN joined to create one organisation.

Risks Potential loss of membership (due to increased membership fees, or perceived reduced state identity) Inability to fill executive positions (leading to no peak body at all) Potential loss of state identity Setup costs of new organisation

Benefits Potential increase in membership (may attract nurses that currently do not identify as paediatric or child health nurses; may attract nurses who value the status of “college” and who work with children and young people) Reduction in duplication of services/expenditure Reduction in burden on States for day-to-day management of the members etc Enables members to move across states and have access to education across states National identity that speaks with one voice for Children and Young People’s nursing and health care. State “Chapters” can focus on local education/ professional development and advocacy without the need to conduct the affairs of an executive.

Since October 2007 A constitution has been developed and endorsed 4 th September 2008 Registered as a company limited by guaranteed As of April 2009 new company has 539 members Financial and business rule structure developed Newsletter published 2 nd monthly Communication plan put is place to advise key stakeholders of changes

Joining the College Registration forms are available on the current ACPCHN website and you can pay on-line. Cost is $15-00 joining fee and $75-00 annual fee for a Registered Nurse Associate membership is available and encouraged

What will members receive? Journal three times a year Newsletter bi-monthly Members only section of the website with professional and clinical information Access to special interest groups Access to a state chapter

Current Responsibilities of Executive Australian Research Alliance for Children & Youth National Nursing Organisation Biennial Conference Education/ Competencies Manage executive Journal Committee RACP ACHS Co-location standards

Other members have responsibility for Starlight Foundation RACP Position Statement on Co-location Journal Committee

What’s in a Name? From Christine Duffield (1) We need to decide are we children and young people's nurses first or the sub speciality we work in. From Jane Salvage in Christine Duffield’s (1) “All professionals working with children and young people work together to focus on the needs of children and young people rather than those of the professionals” (1) Duffield,C (2008) The future nursing workforce: neonatal, paediatic and child health nurses, Neonatal, Paediatric and Child Health Nursing, 11,3, pp3-8

Hence the Name!