Creating Flexible, Affordable Training Options For Nurses
13 February 2007
Kangan Batman TAFE's Centre for Better Living has announced the introduction of a suite of programs for existing nurses in 2007, which offer far greater flexibility and affordability than previous programs.
'Our flexibly delivered post registration modules (PRM) programs have been developed in response to requests from existing nurses who may not have time or resources to attend regular day or evening classes,' said Dianne Semmens, Manager, Centre for Better Living.
'They offer enrolment at any time of year, study at home or in the workplace, and, best of all, practical placements may now be able to be completed in your own workplace.'
Each PRM enables study in a specific field of nursing to enhance knowledge and skills relevant to the workplace. Existing nurses can complete modules with Kangan Batman to build up professional development 'credits' or 'points', as evidence of maintaining the currency of their practice. For Victorian nurses, the diabetes post-registration module is linked to new requirements for medication administration.
Each module consists of a 40 hours theory and 38 hours placement/practical experience, a total of 78 hours (minimum), usually completed over a one year period. Each of the Post Registration Modules is available for flexible delivery through workbooks except for Acute Nursing and Psychiatric Nursing, which are available as interactive CD ROMS.
Units available include: Continence Management, Rehabilitation Nursing, Koorie Health, Management Of Infection In Acute & Non-Acute Care Settings, Activity Therapy, Psychiatric Nursing, Community Nursing, Diabetes Management, Maternity Nursing, Perioperative Nursing, Alcohol And Other Substances, Koorie Aged Care, Dementia Care, and Acute Nursing.
Re-entry (bridging) and conversion course programs are also available for existing nurses whose registration is no longer current and are thinking about re-entering the workforce.
'Many Div 2 nurses, particularly those who completed training before 1995, recognise the importance of upgrading their current knowledge. Single units from the current RN Div 2 program can be undertaken to upgrade or to obtain specialist knowledge,' said Ms Semmens.
Units available include: Undertake Client Assessment, Deliver Nursing Care to Clients, Apply Professional Nursing Practice to Client Care In Residential Aged Care Facilities, Implement Infection Prevention and Undertake Wound Management, Provide Individualised Health Education to Clients, Participate in Providing Therapeutic Interventions for Clients Experiencing Alterations in Mental Health.
'This is one of many initiatives Kangan Batman TAFE's Centre for Better Living (Formerly Community Services & Health) is creating for existing nurses in 2007 and we expect to announce other exciting initiatives shortly, such as mentoring programs,' said Dianne Semmens.
