About the Practice Nurse Program

The Monash Practice Nurse Program supports the recruitment of nurses into General Practice by providing an orientation program, which addresses the dynamics of general practice. This program offers training tailored to the needs of each individual practice.

Included within the training are:

• Position descriptions
• Preparation of advertisement
• Interview questions
• Letters of offer
• Letters of decline
• Orientation
• MBS item numbers
• PIPs and SIPs
• GP management plans and Team Care Arrangements
• Mentoring
• Resources

Practice Nurse Support Group
Practice nursing can be very isolating. This group offers support from practice nurses for practice nurses. It is a way to share information, resources and the fun and trials of being a Practice Nurse. This group:

• Meets at Monash House
• Meets bi-monthly, Wednesdays at 6.30pm
• Has an education component – informally, around a table whilst sharing supper.

Contact the Division to find out the date and topic for the next meeting.

Practice Nurse Network
This network offers ongoing Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for Practice Nurses. Invitations to all these CPD events are sent out approximately 2 weeks before the event. If you would like to receive these invitations contact the Division.

Systems thinking audit tool
This is a checklist developed to allow Divisions/practices to audit their practice systems that would support the employment of a practice nurse. If it can be shown that employing a nurse would both improve the health of the practice patients, and be a worthwhile investment in a business sense what would you want a nurse to do? If you would like a systems audit carried out please contact the Division.

Professional Development for Nurses
Guidelines from NBV for recording nurses professional development.

ANF information on collating a CPD portfolio.

Resources & links

• Nursing in General Practice- For information on the Australian Governments Nursing in General Practice Initiative.
• Competency standards for nurses in General Practice - these competencies provide a useful framework that reflects nursing practice in the general practice setting.
• Nurses award - Click on option three and enter code AW806312 and tick awards.
• The Australian Practice Nurses Association- professional association run by practice nurses for practice nurses. It provides representation, support and networking for practice nurses at national, state and local levels.
• Australian Nurses Council
• Australian Nurses Federation
• Royal College of Nursing
• Nursing in General Practice Case Models
• Australian Practice Nurses Association

Calendars of Practice Nurse Education from both with the divisions and external organisations.

Extensive resources useful for practice nurses are available in the Resources Section of this site.