Abstract
BackgroundThis debate discusses the potential merits of a New Graduate Nurse Transition to Primary Health Care Program as an untested but potential nursing workforce development and sustainability strategy. Increasingly in Australia, health policy is focusing on the role of general practice and multidisciplinary teams in meeting the service needs of ageing populations in the community. Primary health care nurses who work in general practice are integral members of the multidisciplinary team – but this workforce is ageing and predicted to face increasing shortages in the future. At the same time, Australia is currently experiencing a surplus of and a corresponding lack of employment opportunities for new graduate nurses. This situation is likely to compound workforce shortages in the future. A national nursing workforce plan that addresses supply and demand issues of primary health care nurses is required. Innovative solutions are required to support and retain the current primary health care nursing workforce, whilst building a skilled and sustainable workforce for the future.DiscussionThis debate article discusses the primary health care nursing workforce dilemma currently facing policy makers in Australia and presents an argument for the potential value of a New Graduate Transition to Primary Health Care Program as a workforce development and sustainability strategy. An exploration of factors that may contribute or hinder transition program for new graduates in primary health care implementation is considered.SummaryA graduate transition program to primary health care may play an important role in addressing primary health care workforce shortages in the future. There are, however, a number of factors that need to be simultaneously addressed if a skilled and sustainable workforce for the future is to be realised. The development of a transition program to primary health care should be based on a number of core principles and be subjected to both a summative and cost-effectiveness evaluation involving all key stakeholders.
Highlights
This debate discusses the potential merits of a New Graduate Nurse Transition to Primary Health Care Program as an untested but potential nursing workforce development and sustainability strategy
Summary: A graduate transition program to primary health care may play an important role in addressing primary health care workforce shortages in the future
The development of a transition program to primary health care should be based on a number of core principles and be subjected to both a summative and cost-effectiveness evaluation involving all key stakeholders
Summary
Primary health care nurses working in general practice in Australia and the workforce dilemma In Australia, a PHC nurse working in general practice is defined as a degree-qualified registered or certificatequalified enrolled nurse [5]. The New Graduate Nurse Transition to Primary Health Care Program should be designed as a national structured program to ensure consistency in the training, ongoing education and support provided to participating new graduates and existing PHC nurses and to align with the current structure and function of general practice in Australia [24]. It will be important that a selection criteria is developed for engaging experienced and motivated PHC nurses into the role of a preceptor and that they are in addition provided with sufficient education and training in transition theory and the needs of new graduate nurses, as well as being provided with support and feedback by the coordinators of the program Investigating other incentives such as business case studies to encourage general practices to collaboratively engage and support the program will be important. Author details 1Sydney Nursing School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia. 2Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA), Melbourne, Victoria 3205, Australia. 3Central Clinical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
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