Gillard Sells Out Nursing Profession - ANF

Main Category: Nursing / Midwifery
Article Date: 12 Apr 2009 - 0:00 PDT

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The Australian Nursing Federation slammed the Minister for Education, Julia Gillard's decision to approve federal government funding for Holmesglen TAFE's Bachelor of Nursing degree.

Ged Kearney, ANF federal secretary said the decision was a bitter disappointment and is in complete contradiction with the wishes of the nursing profession at a time when well established and professionally supported courses are screaming for funding.

"In making this decision Julia Gillard has let the nursing profession down," Ms Kearney said. "The nation's nurses and midwives are categorically opposed to any attempts to move undergraduate education away from the university sector."

The ANF called on the federal government to reverse the decision which will lead to an erosion of the professional status and working conditions of nurses and midwives.

"This is an appalling decision by the Minister - it shows a complete lack of understanding of the educational rigors of nursing and midwifery and a total lack of respect for the needs and opinions of those who own and work in the profession. This calls into question her ability to run the education portfolio."

Nursing education must remain with the other health professions in the university sector in order to address existing and projected health workforce shortages and the increasing focus on health care delivery by multidisciplinary teams.

"Nursing is a complex and demanding profession that requires the same rigorous scholarly preparation, based on research and evidence, as other recognised health professions. Offering nursing in the TAFE system will only segment and isolate nurses from other health professionals, remove nursing from the knowledge building and research base that universities offer, ultimately diminishing standards in nursing and in health care."

The ANF said the move shows the Deputy Prime Minister is not interested in supporting women's work, or female dominated professions.

"This decision is a backward step in the development of the profession that will be detrimental to the future of nursing and health in Australia."

The ANF, representing nearly 170,000 members, is the professional and industrial voice for nurses and midwives in Australia.

Source
Australian Nursing Federation

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