July 2004

Expansion of nurse role to benefit residents

Aged care residents and hospital patients will benefit from an expansion of the role of Division two nurses, says Aged Care Minister Gavin Jennings.

‘Extending the scope of practice of division two nurses aims to help more people with high care needs, boost community-based care and address our ageing population’s needs.

‘This enhanced scope of practice is long-awaited by the professions and health and aged care sectors and will see better care in hospitals and community and residential aged care facilities.’

Mr Jennings said expanding the role of division two nurses to administer medication would bring Victoria into step with other states.

The Nurses Act has been amended to allow the Nurses Board of Victoria to endorse the registration of division two nurses who have completed required training in medication administration.

Once endorsed, division two nurses can administer some medications under the supervision of a division one, three or four nurse.

‘It may immediately benefit residential aged care by increasing the skills of existing workers while helping to recruit and retain higher qualified nurses.’

Mr Jennings said the changes would also improve the career prospects of Victoria’s 17,500 registered division two nurses, about half of whom work in residential aged care.

‘The Government is providing $590,000 through the Department of Human Services for 366 division two nurses to undertake courses this year during the next financial year.

‘For Victoria’s 17,500 division two nurses, the changes will create more job satisfaction and diversity and improve their career prospects.’

Mr Jennings said employers would get more recruitment options in challenging fields such as aged care.