Priority 3: Elevating the nursing profession

Objective

Nurses are recognised and respected for their education, knowledge, skills and capabilities by other health practitioners, the health and aged care system and consumers. 

The nursing profession is valued for its leadership in driving health and aged care outcomes. 

Nurses cultivate an empowering and inclusive culture which is embedded into the identity of nursing.

Rationale

Nurses are highly skilled and qualified health professionals who undertake complex science-based work in dynamic and diverse environments. A career in nursing is rewarding, full of opportunities, development and advancement. Achieving more complete recognition of the complex, challenging and lived reality of nursing within and outside the profession will ensure nurses are empowered, valued and supported to fully use their expertise. This will support the retention of nurses and reinforce nursing as an attractive career choice into the future.

Leadership

Reason for action

Leadership in nursing cultivates relationships and healthy, respectful work environments which support workforce retention and growth.⁵⁴ Strong and effective nursing leadership also results in improved quality of health care and better health outcomes for consumers. Developing leadership qualities is key to sustaining a nursing workforce to feel valued, safe and confident to work in their chosen profession. 

Leadership is not management, it is not inherently linked to career advancement, nor is it solely the domain of senior nurses. Effective leadership is characterised by attributes such as integrity, empathy and resilience. It requires an understanding of the team and how to use their strengths and address weaknesses to drive collective success. Fostering inclusive, innovative and competent leaders who engage and practice with strategic intent will unlock the full potential of the nursing workforce. Actively advancing the diversity and profile of current and future leaders will result in a workforce that is highly valued not just for their presence, but for their skills and leadership qualities.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership

Reason for action

Evidence shows the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce delivers better health and care outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander consumers.⁵⁵

Accelerating the growth of the leadership pool of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nurses will elevate the voices and positioning of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nurses. It will also increase the visibility and elevate the influence and career potential of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nurses.⁵⁶

Racism

Reason for action

Australia is one of the most culturally and linguistically diverse countries in the world.⁵⁷ However, too many individuals and communities in Australia experience prejudice, discrimination and racism on a regular basis.⁵⁸ Racism has profoundly detrimental effects on people’s lives, including leading to worse health outcomes.⁵⁹ The ongoing harm to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and nurses, from racism is recognised. 

Racism and discrimination in the health and aged care system is an issue which must be addressed and ultimately removed, so nurses feel safe in their workplaces and consumers feel comfortable to access health and aged care which meets their cultural needs.

Diversity, discrimination and cultural safety

Reason for action

Cultural safety is a critical aspect of providing holistic and inclusive care to consumers from diverse backgrounds. Cultural safety goes beyond merely recognising cultural awareness and sensitivity⁶⁰. It involves recognising power imbalances inherent in healthcare settings and addressing them to ensure equitable and respectful treatment for all consumers⁶¹. For nurses, cultural competence is fundamental to delivering culturally safe care⁶². By fostering cultural competence, nurses can build trust and rapport, leading to better health outcomes and greater consumer satisfaction^{63, 64}.

The nursing profession has a key leadership role in fostering an inclusive health and aged care system that values and respects the contributions of all Australians. The diversity of the nursing workforce in Australia and recognition of the intersectionality within it, is crucial to achieve this.

Internationally qualified nurses

Reason for action

Internationally qualified nurses (IQNs) are an integral and valuable group within Australia’s nursing workforce and supplement the domestically educated workforce. Implementing the independent review of overseas health practitioner regulatory settings⁶⁵ is improving regulatory frameworks to make it easier for appropriately qualified IQNs to register and work in Australia. This includes improving the applicant experience and expediting registration pathways to ensure the diverse skills, experiences and perspectives of IQNs help Australia’s nursing workforce to deliver and improve consumer care across the healthcare system.

Identity of nursing

Reason for action

Nurses in Australia generally have a positive perception of themselves, their profession, and the work they undertake. They take pride in their chosen career and are aware of the critical role they have in healthcare delivery. However, sometimes they experience a lack of recognition, and they feel undervalued and underappreciated.⁶⁶

Redefining the identity of nursing in a modern, contemporary context will include defining the critical role and functions of nursing. This includes recognising the science and education streams required to deliver contemporary nursing care, deepening professional partnerships resulting in a better-informed understanding and greater acknowledgement of the value of nursing.