General Practice Queensland

Nursing in General Practice

Overview
Planned activities for 2011/2012
Practice Nurse Incentive Program (PNIP)
Important information
NiGP Resources
Recruitment and orientation resources
Other resources
Education
Practice nurse recruitment form
Useful links
Further information

Overview

The Nursing in General Practice (NiGP) program is funded by the Department of Health and Ageing.

Aim

To promote nursing in general practice role at an individual, practice, GP Network, Medicare Local and national levels
To further the ability and confidence of nurses and progress nursing in general practice as a specialty role within primary care to support general practice.

Objectives

The objectives of the program are to:

To build the capacity of GP Networks and Medicare Locals to deliver support services for practice nurses in general practice, in particular to recruit and retain; and
To promote and disseminate information and resources contributing to, and encouraging, professional development opportunities for nurses in general practice.

Planned activities for 2011/2012

Integrate NiGP into other state and Commonwealth programs and initiatives
Promote and support the recruitment and retention of the general practice nursing workforce.
Support the planning, development and implementation of systems which support nursing innovation, change and adoption.
Support the promotion and distribution of the national nursing in general practice workforce survey.
Promote the NiGP Program at local forums, with key local stakeholders and through the local media.

Practice Nurse Incentive Program (PNIP)

The Practice Nurse Incentive Program (PNIP) commenced on 1 January 2012. The PNIP provides incentive payments to practices to support an expanded and enhanced role for nurses working in general practice.

Practice Nurse Incentive Program (as of 1 January 2012) (Australian Government, Department of Health and Ageing) – The PNIP provides incentive payments to practices to support an expanded and enhanced role for nurses working in general practice.

Practice Nurse Incentive Program (Medicare Australia) – Learn more about PNIP payments effective January 2012.

PNIP Incentive Payment Ready Reckoner (Medicare Australia) - the ready reckoner below that can be used to estimate the incentive amount a practice may be entitled to.

PNIP Guidelines (Medicare Australia) – Learn more about the PNIP and how it affects you

PNIP Resources

PNIP Flyer ‘Is your practice ready?’ (GPQ)
PNIP Webinar (APNA) - Learn more about the challenges and opportunities for nurses and general practices with the introduction of the PNIP.
Creating Opportunity Booklet (APNA)- This booklet and short film highlight the stories of practice nurses around Australia working with their communities, general practice teams and patients to deliver quality health care and innovative primary health care services in a rapidly changing and dynamic sector.
Developing a Business Case for an enhanced practice nurse role under the PNIP (APNA) - A guide for general practices on business case development.
Frequently Asked Questions about the PNIP (APNA) - Common questions regarding the impact of the PNIP on nurses in general practice.

Important information

Nursing and Midwifery FAQ and Fact Sheets (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia )

Competency standards for nurses in general practice (Australian Nursing Federation) - The competencies provide a useful framework that reflects nursing practice in the general practice setting. This website will assist you in using the competency standards for nurses in general

Competency Standards: Professional supervision of an Enrolled nurse (Australian Nursing Federation)

Australian Nursing Federation Factsheets - Factsheets provide snapshots of nursing in Australia, nursing careers, qualifications and experience, nursing roles in primary health care, nurse practitioner, practice nurse and more

New Nursing Award 2010 - The new national nurse’s award started on the 1 January 2010. The new Award covers nurses in all nursing fields and specialties including general practice

Factsheet: New Nursing Award 2010 - Your questions answered - The new national nurses award started on the 1 January 2010

NiGP Resources

National Practice Nurse Workforce Survey REPORT 2009 - this report provides a comprehensive national compilation of information and statistics regarding the employment for General Practice Nurse. This information was obtained from the 2009 National Practice Nurse Survey.
Post Graduate Courses for Nurses - Graduate Certificate of Nursing (General Practice) - specifically for practice nurses (PN) to develop knowledge and skills to assist them to practice competently within the challenging and constantly evolving general practice environment.
e-Learning Training Package to support Medicare Item 10997 - consists of a set of disease specific modules that cover the topic areas of arthritis, asthma, cancer, coronary heart disease, dementia and diabetes.
Nursing in general practice business case models - provides support to general practice networks in their discussions with general practices of the benefits and implications of employing a PN
Australian General Practice Nurse Research Study - investigates the role and contribution of PNs to general practice.
Guide for student nurse placement in general practice 2009 - assist divisions of general practice, universities and general practices in either establishing or modifying an undergraduate clinical placement program in general practice to provide a quality experience for student nurses.
Practice Nurses and Immunisation - the following information has been provided to assist practice nurses to understand the protocols that govern the administration of vaccines in Queensland.

Practice nurse recruitment and orientation resources

Information for practice nurses brochure - for more information on practice nursing
‘Nursing in General Practice - It’s a choice’ Recruitment DVD - a practice nurse recruitment resource to showcase the role of a nurse in general practice.
NiGP Education and Training: A Tool Kit - a guide to assist divisions coordinate, deliver and evaluate education and training events.
Practice Nurse Employment Models Toolkit - a guide to assist general practices in their decision making about the employment of nurses.
Nursing in General Practice Recruitment and Orientation Resource: a guide for general practices, PNs and division of general practice - a guide to address recruitment and orientation of practice nurses for a number of relevant audiences
Stories from the frontline - personal accounts of being a PN in Queensland

Other Resources

General Practice Poster – Waiting times 'Help us, help you' - a poster to assist patients to understand general practice waiting times
General Practice Poster – Waiting times 'Help us, help you' (with division logo) - a poster to assist patients to understand general practice waiting times

Practice nurse education

Diabetes Connect - aims to increase the capacity of general practice to meet the complex needs of patients with diabetes and to enhance care and communication pathways between General Practitioners and other key health and community service providers
Online Education - 4 year old Health Check (Child and Youth Health, South Australia)
e-Learning Training Package to support Medicare Item 10997 - consists of a set of disease specific modules that cover the topic areas of arthritis, asthma, cancer, coronary heart disease, dementia and diabetes.
Online Education - Orientation Program for nurses new to General Practice (AGPN) - provides a comprehensive orientation for nurses to this new working environment and an understanding of the roles and responsibilities for nurses working in this area.
COPD Online - Learn about Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), identify patients with COPD, manage patients with COPD and develop self-management plans with patients.

The following organisations may provide practice nurse information:

Practice nurse recruitment form

Interested in nursing in general practice?

Are you an enrolled or registered nurse interested in a career in general practice?

Nursing in general practice is an attractive career choice, a choice which provides new adventures and the flexibility for a balanced lifestyle. The role of the practice nurse (PN) in general practice varies depending on the general practice need, practice demographics and the nurse's qualifications.

If you are interested in nursing in general practice please provide your details below and we can provide the contact details for your local division of general practice.
The division has knowledge of the general practices in the area and will be able to let you know of available positions and assist you with your employment enquiries.

Nursing in General Practice - It’s a choice’ Recruitment DVD

This video clip was developed by the Queensland Provincial workgroup to raise the profile of nursing in general practice and to support the recruitment of nurses into general practice.

Providing a snap shot of a ‘day in the life’ of three practice nurses’ across different geographical areas in Queensland, the video clip showcases the diverse role of the practice nurse across immunisation, wound management, women’s health, health assessments, patient education, data management and the management of chronic diseases .

Funded by the Australian Government, Department of Health and Ageing under the Nursing in General Practice (NiGP) Program.

Population Health Update

The Population Health Updates Library has a search function to improve viewing experience of all previous updates.

To navigate back please use the browser's BACK button or the breadcrumb track at the top of each article.

Please click here to search articles until November 2011.

In March 2012, the Population Health Update was expanded to include articles relating to Aged Care, Chronic Disease, Closing the Gap, eHeath, Immunisation, Mental Health and Nursing.

Please click here to search articles from March 2012.

Useful links

Further information

For further information please contact Elise Gorman, Program Coordinator – NiGP & QUM on 3105 8300 or egorman@gpqld.com.au

Together we can build a better health system