Professional organisations and regulatory bodies: forging and advancing the role of nurses in Australian primary care.

Abstract

The nursing role in primary care is increasing in importance, particularly in the Australian health care system (Royal College of Nursing Australia [RCNA] 2003). The expanding nursing role in primary care has implications for the health of Australian society, nursing education, continuing professional development, health service policy, inter-professional politics, regulatory affairs and the monitoring of standards and professional practice. Professional nursing organisations represent the voice of their membership in influencing development of public policy, setting professional standards and in promoting the profession and raising awareness of its vital role and contribution to the health care sector (Australian Practice Nurses Association 2007; RCNA 2007).A range of variables has contributed to shaping the nursing role in the general practice setting. Perhaps the most significant of these to date include legal and industrial factors and consumer expectations. However, the political challenges of introducing change and innovation in nursing in general practice must also be given careful consideration. Professional leadership that successfully manages the complex interplay of these and other factors will be important in advancing the role in the future.As this nursing role evolves it is important that the nursing profession, including professional, industrial and regulatory representatives work collaboratively to promote the health and well-being of Australians. The impact of this role on health service provision also needs to be carefully examined through research processes in order to build an evidence-base. Evaluative data will be useful in developing and expanding the role in the future in defensible ways through policy development.In this special issue of Contemporary Nurse, McMurray (2007) emphasises the importance of leadership in primary care and provides us with useful strategies for promoting the health of communities. Hall et al. (2007) and Porritt (2007) trace the recent developments of the practice nurse role in Australian general practice and underscore the importance of policy in driving health care reforms and developing nurses' roles that are responsive to needs of contemporary health care systems.Models of nursing roles in primary care should complement and support the role of other health practitioners, particularly the general practitioner. The role for the nurse practitioner in general practice will evolve as multidisciplinary models of care are advanced, in order to enhance existing service provision and improve access to primary care for all consumers. Nursing is in a good position to influence development of these models, the end point of which must be improved health outcomes for consumers of these services. Consequently education initiatives in the undergraduate, post graduate and professional development sphere need to prepare nurses to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary colleagues, particularly in the general practice setting. Nurses working in specialist domains of practice should also establish links with nurse colleagues in the primary care setting to support their professional growth, promote the quality and continuity of clinical care and in developing practice-based research and scholarship.Over the last five years, nursing in Australian general practice has developed substantially and will evolve as multidisciplinary models of care are advanced to improve existing service provision and improve access to primary care for all consumers (Council of Deans of Nursing and Midwifery of Australia and New Zealand 2004). …