I have been an employee of the Coffs Harbour Hospital for the past twenty years, and currently employed as a Clinical Nurse Educator on the Medical Ward.
As a Clinical Nurse Educator my nursing experience and expertise in various fields of nursing is paramount to enabling staff to develop in all aspects of nursing. My own professional development is continuous for best practice and evidenced base practice.
Overall my nursing career has spanned 30 years since beginning in 1974. I have worked in most wards/units including Medical, Surgical, Operating theatre, Emergency, Maternity, and Coronary Angiography Unit. In the past, I have taken the opportunity for higher grade relief positions – Ward NUM, Infection control CNC, After Hours Manager and Acute Pain Management CNC. Working in different fields of nursing has enabled me to become multiskilled to meet the challenge of total flow planning and nurse education. All of which require a thorough knowledge and understanding of the physical and behavioural sciences and human resources management.
All of above has required a high level of communication skills both interpersonal and written, and the ability to motivate both permanent and casual staff to become involved with process improvement during this time of change within the Area Health Service.
I also am employed by the Coffs Harbour TAFE as a part time teacher within their Assistant in Nursing Certificate III programme, and in the Enrolled Nurse Education Program lecturing in all aspects of the course which provides foundation knowledge and skills to facilitate the student to transfer and apply these skills, knowledge and attitudes to the working environment. I am involved in the medication course delivering the theoretical component and competency assessment on the medication module of the programme. I also teach on the Certificate IV conversion and the Module for Medication Administration for Certificate IV Enrolled Nurse to obtain endorsement in medication administration. This course enables the enrolled nurse to develop knowledge and skills to administer medications in a variety of institutional, community and health care settings as an associate of the registered nurse. I demonstrate the skills and knowledge in competence in administering oral/enteral, subcutaneous, intramuscular and intravenous medication. Durning last year I was involved as an active team member in the script writing and Video Production for the CD ROM on Medication Administration at the Curriculum Centre, Meadowbank TAFE.