4 Corners Newsletter - Vol 2 - Central Queensland University

4
CORNERS
VOL . 2
2012
ISSUE02
From the
Dean’s Desk
In this edition of 4corners
we’ve turned the spotlight on
CQUniversity Bundaberg, which
has a tight team dedicated to
providing students with varied
opportunities to learn and grow
as professionals.
In addition, the School’s
retreat in June proved a great
success. Around 45 staff
from all four campuses came
together to celebrate our
accomplishments to date, and
to set in place some worthy
goals for the coming year. The
quality of the ideas generated at
this year’s retreat were creative
and viable.
It is because of our
experienced and highly
qualiified staff that we look
forward to the delivery of our
new and innovative curriculum
in 2013, and continue to create
and enhance a progressive
teaching environment for our
nursing students.
Congratulations to everyone
and thank you for your
contribution to the success of
the University.
Warm regards
Professor Ysanne Chapman
y.chapman@cqu.edu.au
CQUniversity Bundaberg School of Nursing & Midwifery staff, left to right, Penny Heidke, Melissa
Major, Pam Savage, Tanya Fleming, Terri Brotherton, Katrina Lane-Krebs, and Shaune Hunt.
Bundaberg PITSTOP
Bundaberg - the state’s first declared ‘university city’ following
the signing of an Accord in February 2012 between Bundaberg
Regional Council and CQUni – benefits greatly from the Nursing
and Midwifery school’s focus on reaching out across the region to
engage with the community and other educational facilities.
Utilising the expertise of student
nurses, CQUniversity PITSTOP
campaign started out as a trial to
conduct one-on-one health assessments
for Centrelink clients in Bundaberg.
However, due to its popularity, a regional
strategy was developed to expand
the trial. Each clinical term allows two
days of PITSTOP per student to attend
to complete their clinical hours or
participate as volunteers.
“The implementation of health
checks at several sites – including
Bundaberg, Maryborough and Hervey
Bay Centrelink offices – resulted from a
partnership between Queensland Health
and CQUniversity,” said Terri Brotherton,
Clinical Placement Academic.
By setting up at Centrelink, the
School in conjunction with Community
Health has the opportunity to provide
access to health information for people
from low socio-economic backgrounds –
prone to have higher rates of cancer and
smoking, with lower diagnosis rates.
“PITSTOP is compatible with
Centrelink’s community focus,” says
Terri. “While clients are waiting for their
appointment, they are encouraged to
participate in the PITSTOP program
which provides an opportunity for them
to have a health assessment performed.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Continued on next page
Eye tracker conference
Teaching with technology
2012 School Retreat
20 year celebration

PITSTOP Continued from previous page
behavior change and are an important part
of staff training on community resources.”
PITSTOP Health checks result in
hundreds of participants moving from low
awareness of health issues to participate in
programs to improve their health.
Client driven referrals include Quit line,
Breast screen, Lighten Up!, Living Strong
and the National bowel Cancer Screening
Program.
“Our nursing students thoroughly enjoy
their involvement with PITSTOP as it
provides hands-on experience, enabling
them to put theory from health promotion
into action,” says Terri. “It also provides
an opportunity for students to improve
their knowledge and practice their client
interviewing skills, whilst working in
partnership with other groups such as
Cancer Council Queensland.”
Terri believes the PITSTOP program
provides an ideal opportunity for many
Queensland Health practitioners to work in
partnership with CQUniversity to promote
real-life experiences working in health
promotion.
BDG
CQU Bundaberg is an
easy bike ride from most
areas of Bundaberg
Overall, up to 10 tables are set up to
allow each health worker to undertake an
interview of each client’s lifestyle. Health
issues covered in the assessment, include
physical activity, nutrition, alcohol, smoking,
skin cancer prevention, early detection for
cancer – breast, testicular, bowel, prostate,
cervical – and mental health.
“Motivational interviewing and stages of
change principles are incorporated in the
education, with a focus on health referrals
and cancer education,” says Terri. “We
find that referrals increase the potential for
The Accord was signed
by L-R Council CEO
Peter Byrne, Vice-
Chancellor Professor
Scott Bowman, Mayor
Cr Lorraine Pyefinch
and Bundaberg Head
of Campus Professor
Phillip Clift.
Bundaberg
– the university city
Bundaberg Regional Council and
CQUniversity Australia signed an Accord
in February 2012 as a formal expression
of their common goals and partnership
intentions.
Professor Clift said it is well documented
that regional communities which host
university campuses, benefit from enhanced
economic, social and environmental
outcomes.
“CQUniversity has pledged to be ‘multicity’
and fully engaged with its communities,”
he said.
BDG
2

Holistic Nursing
The School of Nursing and Midwifery plays an active role in community
engagement through activities in learning and teaching, research
and service. The staff across the School’s four campuses – Mackay,
Bundaberg, Noosa and Rockhampton – encourage student engagement
in the education process.
With an emphasis on work integrated learning, the theoretical content of
each program is transferable and applied in the variety of environments in
which nurses and midwives are employed.
Shaune Hunt
with students at a
Holistic Residential
School – part of
the Holistic Nursing
Assessment for
first year nursing
students.
Katrina Lane-Krebs
with students at a
Holistic Residential
School – a
residential designed
for distance
students.
Journal Articles
Reid-Searl, K., Happell, B., &
Vieth, L. (2012). High fidelity patient
silicone simulation: A qualitative
evaluation of nursing students’
experiences. Collegian, 19, 77-83.
Brown, Guinea, Crookes,
McAllister, Levett-Jones, Kelly,
Reid-Searl, Churchouse, Anderson,
Chong & Smith (2012). Clinical
simulation in Australia and New
Zealand: through the eyes of an
advisory group. Collegian, In Press.
Happell, B., Dares, G., Russell,
A., Cokell, S., Platania-Phung,
C., & Gaskin, C. (2012). The
relationships between attitudes
toward seclusion and levels of
burnout, staff satisfaction, and
therapeutic optimism in a district
health service. Issues in Mental
Health Nursing, 33, 329-336.
Book Chapters
Rossi, D. (in print).
Conceptualising education
research participants as
‘significant others’ in the
construction of empirical
knowledge. In W. Midgley, P. A.
Danaher & M. Baguley (Eds.),
The role of Participants: Ethics,
Epistemologies and Methods. NY:
Taylor & Francis/Routledge.
Rossi, D. (in print). Learning
relationships: A condition and
consequence of learner-learner
interaction in online contexts. In
B. Tynan & J. Willems (Eds.),
Proceedings from DEHub Summit,
February, 2011. PA: IGI Global.
Left: First year students at Holistic Residential School, where clinical skills are demonstrated and
practiced before students undertake their first clinical placement. Right: Bundaberg Campus School of
Nursing and Midwifery administration staff, L-R Tracey Woznitza and Bree Heidke.
3

Inaugural
eye tracker
conference held
at Noosa
In June 2012 researchers from as
far as Germany, Scotland, Ireland,
England, South Africa, France,
Malaysia and Finland gathered at
the Noosa CQUni campus for Eye
Track Australia 2012 – Australia’s
first eye tracker conference.
Held at CQUniversity Noosa
in June, Eye Track showcased
the latest developments in crossdisciplinary
eye movement
research, bolstering the Noosa
Campus’ reputation as a
burgeoning research hub and
leader in the eye tracking field since
the development of the $73,000
purpose built eye tracker facility.
Eye tracking methodologies
hold significant implications for
nursing practice, education and
research, specifically in the design
of instruction in reading complex
diagnostic displays.
CQUni researchers from
the School of Nursing and
Midwifery – Dr Marc Broadbent
and Associate Professor Melanie
Birks – presented updates at the
conference on current research
projects undertaken by the School.
“Eye tracking technology
holds great promise for research
in nursing and the conference
was a way of understanding the
possibilities for nurse education,
both in university and field
placement contexts,” said Marc.
Cont’d over page
Nicholas Ralph wins $10,000
CQUniversity Noosa lecturer Nicholas Ralph won the 2012 Australian
Nurse of the Year (Innovation in Nursing) award of $10,000 for his concept
for a multi-functional Mobile Clinical Learning Unit (M-CLU) for the
Sunshine Coast.
Nicholas intends to use the development
grant prize money provided by ME Bank to
enhance the project through research and
evaluation.
“This award not only acknowledges the
M-CLU’s worth, it strengthens the project
in the eyes of those who will fund further
phases down the track.”
The M-CLU is a dynamic 10-metre splitlevel
trailer which is home to a simulation
deck and a realistic ward environment
featuring a simulated mannequin patient.
The unit enables health professionals to
hone their skills and also promotes health
careers, while there are plans for it to roll out
to schools and other public areas to bolster
health recruitment, training and health
promotion.
“The most innovative aspect of
the unit is that it uses simulation as a
tool for recruitment,” says Nicholas.
“Using simulation spaces where
health professionals can develop
and sharpen their skills is proving
to be an effective and dynamic
teaching tool.
The M-CLU will visit schools,
shopping centres, sports grounds
and public parks to give participants
a taste of the opportunities a career in health
can offer. It also has huge potential for
remote areas such as mining towns, where
training programs are of great value to the
community.
With a looming skills shortage in a
region that will require 50,000 new health
professionals over the next 20 years,
the M-CLU goes a long way to engaging
Nicholas receives his $10,000 prize cheque from
ME Bank as the HESTA* Australian Nursing
Awards ‘innovation’ winner. From left: Bronwyn
Barling (ME Bank), Nicholas Ralph, Michael
Scanlon HESTA Super Fund.
those thinking about a career as a health
professional.
“The primary aim of this initiative is
improve healthcare in the region – whether it
be through opening up career opportunities
in health to the public, upskilling the regional
health workforce or improving the health
of our communities using health promotion
strategies,” Nicholas said.
NSA
ART nursing research recognised globally
Norma West OBE formally
acknowledges Dr Judith
Applegarth (left) for completing her
PhD titled: Understanding Assisted
Reproductive Technology Nursing
Practice in Australia – A Grounded
Theory Study.
4
The accolades for CQUniversity’s
Dr Judith Applegarth continue as her
research into assisted reproductive
technology generates global interest.
Not only has Dr Judith Applegarth – an assisted
reproductive technology (ART) nurse – received
formal acknowledgement of her conferral for the
award of Doctor of Philosophy, her abstract titled:
Delivering ‘bad news’ – a key aspect in provision of
support in assisted reproductive technology nursing
practice was selected for the Award for Nurses at
the 28th Annual Meeting of European Society of
Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) in
Istanbul, Turkey this July. Also Dr Applegarth is an
invited speaker at ESHRE conference.
“To be invited as a speaker at such a prestigious
multidisciplinary conference acknowledges Judy’s
significant contribution to ART Nursing,” said
Professor Chapman.

Nurses celebrate profession
Eye tracker
conference
International Nurses Day organising committee and presenters gather at CQUni Rockhampton.
CQUniversity hosted International
Nurses Day (IND), at its Rockhampton
Campus to celebrate local and University
talent – Jenny Anderson was announced as
Australian Nurse of the Year for rebuilding
the hospital renal service (refer article
below), and Noosa’s Nicholas Ralph was
announced the Australian Nurse of the Year
for Innovation (refer article left).
Over 70 participants attended the IND
event which included a keynote address by
Belinda Maier, State Midwifery Advisor.
Concurrent sessions on
‘Midwifery’ (chaired by Sue Nouwens from
the Mater Hospital) and ‘Nursing’ (hosted by
CQUni Associate Professor Trudy Dwyer),
featuring both health service and academic
speakers proved popular. Associate
Professor Kerry Reid-Searl chaired the
evening session in her guise as the
endearing patient ‘Stan’.
Queensland Nurses Union Legal Officer
Jamie Shepherd spoke about legal issues
for nurses.
Professor Ysanne Chapman – Dean,
School of Nursing and Midwifery; Brenda
Happell, Engaged Research Chair Professor,
and Jenny Davis. Head of the Midwifery
Program promoted the School’s ongoing
contribution to the nursing profession.
“Developments in professional nursing
have had significant impact on social and
public health services over the last decade,”
said Professor Chapman. “Beyond our
ongoing service to the community, we are
actively advancing scholarly inquiry and
research at CQUni.”
ROK
Nurse of the Year - Jenny Anderson
Nurse of the year, Jenny Anderson, has been credited with
strengthening and expanding the renal unit, including creating its
new purpose-built home, expanding home therapy services, building
a new staff team and focusing on culturally appropriate services for
Aboriginal patients.
Rockhampton Hospital Renal Service nurse Jenny Anderson was named Nurse
of the Year for her work turning around a service that was struggling under a rapidlyexpanding
workload and significant nursing workforce issues.
Today Rockhampton Hospital Renal Service has a dynamic team of mainly young
nursing staff, assisted by a select band of experienced nurses “cajoled” out of
retirement by Ms Anderson.
The unit has moved into new purpose-built premises, established a satellite unit
at Gladstone Hospital and significantly expanded home therapy services, allowing
many patients to avoid a three-hour drive for treatment.
Ms Anderson was awarded $5000 and a $5000 education grant.
ROK
Continued from previous page
“It is important that
nurses understand and apply the
meaning of diagnostic information
conveyed in visual display format.
Understanding the condition of
patients revealed by such displays
is a critical factor in determining
patient outcomes.”
A highlight of the conference
was a discussion on the
integration of eye tracking
and Electroencephaologram
(EEG) technology, that allows
researchers to measure human
emotions, providing a complete
picture of how a person responds
to an image
In the lead up to the conference,
CQUniversity Noosa hosted an eye
tracker training day as international
and Australian researchers shared
techniques and approaches to the
technology, broadening the local
knowledge and expanding the
University’s research network.
“As the eye tracking technology
is new to Noosa and very new
as a medium for research in
nursing, the conference was a
great opportunity to see how
other researchers are using
eye tracking technology in their
disciplines,” said Marc.
“Ongoing research can provide
a platform for better understanding
cognitive processing by analysing
the way that clinicians view, attend
to and process complex visual
displays such as diagrams, charts,
and representations and their
features.”
NSA
5

Reaching Out
Developing ties to the local
community is a key aspect of Katrina
Lane-Krebs’ role at CQUni. To this
end, Katrina’s networking activities
this year have included a guest
presentation at STEPPING Stones
on inclusiveness of special needs
children; a service presentation for
parent supervisors in the use of Epi
pens for children at primary school
(with a session on managing children
with special needs); and a Farming
for the Future presentation Dinner in
association with Bundaberg Christian
College, Kepnock State High School,
Chamber of Commerce, Farming
Welfare and representatives from
Denmark Vocational Colleges and
CQUniversity.
“Timed to fit in with Australia’s
International Year of the Farmer, the
focus on mental health and wellbeing
issues that are common between
Australian and Danish agricultural
environments was discussed,” said
Katrina. “A further collaborative
short term project is currently being
planned with Farming for the Future
to explore emotional and mental
health issues amongst farmers.”
Katrina also attended several
site visits to view the progress of
the new Queensland Children’s
Hospital in Brisbane. She continues
to be heavily involved in the
Foundation for Medical Research
and associated services with the
Children’s Hospital Foundation.
Intra faculty research projects, in
early the planning stages, include a
brief exploration into the impacts of
the “fly in fly out” aspect of Australian
mining communities to be undertaken
by Katrina and Trixie James (STEPS).
Katrina along with Dr Melinda McHenry
(Science) are also working to develop
workshops in distance learning using
technology to be presented to the
delegates home institutions, resulting
from Denmark-Bundaberg exchange
for Farming For The Future Agricultural
connection.
Dancing with special needs
Katrina Lane-Krebs could have been a circus juggler given her professional
and personal balancing act, which includes advisor to the Queensland
Children’s Hospital; tutor and lecturer at CQUni; mother of seven (one
special needs child); advocate for people with disabilities and dancer.
“Due to her own experience raising,
Christian, her special needs son, Katrina is
passionate about advocating for the inclusion
of special needs children, and particularly
using creative teaching tools to develop
communication skills and optimize mobility.
“As a former dancer, I am currently involved
in researching the value of dance and music
therapy for improving psychosocial, medical
and neuro-developmental aspect of children
with cerebral palsy,” said Katrina. “Part of
this experience formed the basis for my
Master’s thesis.”
Workshops on hydro, dance and music
therapy as a rehabilitation intervention are
part of Katrina’s teaching tools, however, her
preference is dance as it allows for inspired
expression and individuality.
“Dance allows room for creative thinking
and the acceptance of varied concepts ... to
express the inner you in a fun, energetic and
engaging way that is nonjudgmental.”
The benefits of incorporating performance
texts to the areas of teaching and learning
has been exemplified for Katrina after
working with Dr Kerry Reid-Searl, who
utilizes masks and puppets to teach.
“Kerry is the guru of all things theatrical
and she understands the powerful impact
of role playing to enhance learning. I am
fortunate to have her as my mentor.”
Katrina’s passion for teaching resulted in a
previous nomination (by a student) for the Pride
of Australia medal in education. Her personal
teaching philosophy includes three elements.
“The first is to foster an inquisitive mind and
develop an excitement to learn. Secondly, I
seek to provide students with a methodology
to obtain knowledge through enhancing critical
thinking skills – rather than simply impart content
and facts. The overriding element however, is
to engage the student by making learning an
enjoyable process.”
A Masters completed in 2010 titled:
Dancing in the Spotlight: a creative writing
approach depicting the lived experience of
parenting a child with special needs explored
Katrina’s focus on recording interventions for
addressing post traumatic stress disorder
and the chronic strain that accompanies the
parental journey of a special needs child.
As her Master’s foreword states: There
are no instruction manuals in life. In the
midst of despair, a person can be clutching
Katrina Lane-Krebs, recently nominated for a National
Teaching Excellence Award, has clinical experience in
Mental Health, Forensic environments, pediatric rehab,
hemophilia, oncology, ICU and palliative care.
at straws in an effort to maintain their sanity
and make sense of their current world and
in fact, simply to trying to survive … deriving
strength from others and relating to their own
life stories is a place of beginning, where
one’s soul can recuperate and restoration of
the human spirit can commence. I know this,
for I have danced with the devil.
Katrina is now progressing her PhD which
continues to detail the challenges of life with
a special needs child within the framework
of holistic health and welfare issues. Katrina
is also involved in research for paediatric
rehabilitation and prepares reflective
narratives to document the experiences of
children, parents and carers … to capture
the experiences from a holistic perspective.
“Interventions and meeting rehabilitation
needs for special needs children have
significant impact on family dynamics ... the
unseen side of disability.”
As a member of the Advisory committee
for the planning stages of the proposed
Queensland Children’s Hospital, Katrina
represented the interests of those in rural and
remote areas, as well as Indigenous and nonenglish
speaking consumers. She continues
to serve as an advisory committee member
to support the implementation stages until
the receipt of the first patients in 2014.
Katrina’s aspirations include securing a
position on the Management Board of the
Queensland Children’s Hospital, but she has
no plans to leave her teaching role behind.
In fact, she’s been at CQUni for so long
we are surprise she doesn’t have an asset
tag attached.
BDG
6

TEACHING WITH TECHNOLOGY
Melissa Hulme, Laboratory Supervisor/Instructor (Health) at CQUni, believes
that teaching with technology opens the door to many new teaching
approaches for nurse educators, but it is a learned skill that involves
considerable knowledge and ability.
“The compelling need for technological
fluency and competency among nurse
educators has increased with the introduction
of simulation models such as SimMan 3G and
hi-tech computer teaching aids,” says Melissa.
“While these technological innovations allow
for more choices, enhanced faculty-student
interaction, and variations in learning, the
nurse educators still need to incorporate the
technology into their repertoire of teaching
strategies.”
Melissa heads a multi-expertise technical
support team of five that provides highquality
and effective technical support to
nurse educators across four campuses
– Rockhampton, Mackay, Bundaberg and
Noosa.
“The team provides resources that
simulate real life experiences, from the
paperwork they might expect to use in a clinic
to wound exudate that is “real’ looking,” says
Melissa. “We provide pathology trays that
mirror exactly the equipment that would be
used for venipuncture; chest drains that are
used currently in industry; and a resuscitation
trolley that reflects current industry standard.”
These are just a couple of examples of what
we provide.
Each technician identifies the academics’
diverse needs and oversees the progress of
all programs at their campus. The technical
staff are provided the Laboratory requirements
by the Course Coordinator and then discuss
the needs of the academic in relation to that
list for each campus. Prior to each teaching
program the technician is on hand to assist in
the set up of the labs and where necessary
to demonstrate the use and features of
the technology, and during the class the
technician is available to operate mannequins
and address any technical issues that arise.
“The team understand the potential
of current learning technologies and are
adept at liaising with academics, students
and stakeholders across disciplines at the
university,” says Melissa. “For example,
with the recent course accreditation, we
are required to have one Nursing Annie
mannequin for every second bed across
four campuses and infusion pumps for every
second bed at each campus, which involves
a lot of functionality and capability training.
Plus, there is the ongoing training of the new
SimMan 3G at Noosa campus to ensure that
it is utilised to its full potential.
Melissa says communication is important
and her team ensures all academics receive
‘multi-point support’ and encourage the
academics to discuss their needs to the
technical staff to ensure a quality educational
environment including technical training
workshops, one on one meetings, and face
to face support to ensure that the labs are set
up to accommodate student numbers.
“It’s important that we utilise the time of
academics and technical staff effectively,
and it is critical to the ongoing improvement
of the program that we have the opportunity
to discuss concerns and develop good
practice with technologies in teaching.
In addition, the team relies on anecdotal
evidence from student’s perception and
experience of the technology and the effects
on student learning. Ongoing modifications
and enhancements are made so the final
deliverable is aligned with best educational
practice and reflect industry changes.
The team itself relies on video links for
meetings and catch-ups, and retains close
network ties to the industry and foster
relationships with local clinical educators to
remain abreast of industry standards. “The
best part of the job is the ongoing contact we
have with the students,” says Melissa. “You
see the growth from first to third year students,
and it is wonderful to be a part of that.”
Strengthening
regional
relationships
In July, Professor Ysanne
Chapman and Assoc Professor
Melanie Birks attended the
2012 Nursing and Allied Health
Conference in Malaysia themed
‘Evidence and Practice: the
twain shall meet’ to converse on
evidence based practice (EBP)
across all medical fields.
“The Malaysian hosts
were welcoming, friendly
and talked of developing a
continuing relationship with the
School,” said Ysanne. “It was
a dynamic conference, where
new professional friendships
were forged with nursing
and allied health colleagues,
possible projects discussed with
researchers in Malaysia, as well
as potential higher degrees by
research students.
“For the vivacious and everpopular
Melanie, it was an
opportunity to reconnect with past
colleagues and students.”
Melanie Birks learnt how to throw a
poison dart from a Borneo tribesman.
7

Mask-Ed’s media
profile broadens
Pam Savage’s talent for teaching
The multifaceted CQUni Lecturer, Pam Savage, began her love affair with
nursing in the 1970s, following a brief foray into journalism.
CQUni’s Mask-EdTM (KRS
simulation) program is drawing
increasing media interest as
Universities incorporate the novel
education tool into their nursing
and medical curriculum.
Developed by Dr Kerry Reid-
Searl, the MaskEdTM (KRS
simulation) takes a simple
concept – masking knowledgeable
educators – to create a realistic
and spontaneous simulation of
patient/nurse interaction. The
silicon masks and wearable body
parts, include torsos (with working
appendages); as well as arms,
hands and feet (with wounds).
Monash Associate Professor
Simon Cooper, said: “This type of
program addresses this growing
dimension of health care that many
preparatory nursing courses do
not and is designed for students to
gain a broader range of skills than
those taught in traditional nursing
programs,” www.melbournereview.
com.au/read/502/
In other news, the
Rockhampton Mirror covered
Dr Reid-Searl’s visit to Colorado
State University to promote the
simulated learning experience;
ABC Radio and the ABC TV
(7.30 Report) have interviewed Dr
Reid-Searl; and The Sunday Mail
(Brisbane) featured Dr Reid-Searl
as alter ego Cyril Smith – retired
butcher with diabetes.
After graduating as an RN, Pam
travelled throughout South America for
several months before gaining a green
card to work in Dallas Presbyterian
Hospital Texas for a year. Following
tours throughout USA and Canada,
Pam chose the standard Australian
nurse path of Agency nursing at the
London clinic, which allowed her
to travel throughout Europe and
the Middle East undertaking short term
contracts that expanded her clinical skills
and knowledge.
While based in the UK Pam completed
a Diploma in Nursing at London University,
before heading home to complete a BA
Education.
“I made the decision as a very young
women that the only way to make nursing
better - to improve the systems - was through
education.” said Pam. “I did not consider
the education I had in nurse training was
sufficient to the role and function that I seem
to find I was performing.
A Masters in Health Personnel Education
at the University of NSW cemented her
career in clinical and nurse education and
opened doors to work as a consultant and
researcher to health facilities developing
their peer review and accreditation models.
After being enrolled as a Barrister at Law in
NSW, Pam expanded her range of skills and
developed a unique approach to problem
solving and critical thinking.
“Legal reasoning insists that you look at
the world without a personal motive and to
reason. You are much more likely to weigh
pros or cons, or look for the source of
issues. Whereas, as nurses, we talk about
problem solving from concrete or personal
approaches.”
In 1997, Pam returned to her first love,
clinical nursing, working at Alice Springs
Hospital paediatric unit, then training as a
dialysis nurse where she developed the
an Indigenous nurse education proposal to
develop health worker opportunities. This
became part of the NT Bachelor Institute of
Tertiary Education Aboriginal health worker
program when she joined them
“My time up North opened doors
to transcultural experiences that have
continued to be an active part of my study
and teaching interest,” said Pam. “It taught
me that the ability to understand someone
else’s culture is a lifetime commitment.”
For Pam the key is to be open and
respectful to difference.
“When someone believes or does
something outside of your system, our
instinct is that they are wrong, but the
challenge is to balance the belief system of
another with your own. Let’s face it, even
the medical system is a culture in its own
right.”
Pam’s teaching technique is built on
raising awareness and shining a light on
different ways of looking at an issue.
“Even if you can just get people to consider
another perspective it’s at least respectful of
someone else’s way of seeing the world and
way of choosing to manage their life.”
Since joining CQUni Mackay Campus in
2001, Pam has seen significant growth in
student nurse numbers, and has contributed
to developing an integrated practicum
experience for students in local facilities,
which builds on close relationships with
clinical staff willing to share and develop both
university and industry learning for nurses.
“The roles of nurses have exploded
open over the last decade,” says Pam. “The
pressure to validate your worth by clinical
currency is no longer a major driving force.
A few years ago if you hadn’t had recent
clinical experience you could have lost your
registration. Whereas now it is recognized
that within the realm you work if it is current
and contributing to the profession you don’t
have to justify calling yourself a nurse.
That’s a change in the game and a huge
and positive step.”
Pam’s focus on transcultural, curriculum
and legal areas led to a number of
publications focused on issues of theorypractice
gaps and the commencement of
doctoral studies culminating in the award of
Doctor of Education in 2011. The work for
her doctorate delved into the legal aspects
of clinical nursing and explored clinician
perspectives of legal risks in practice.
The publication of a text, Legal Issues for
Student Nurses, was informed by research
findings in her study.
With an intense gaze that crinkles into
a warm smile when her pet subjects are
triggered, Pam is the first to admit that she
does not tolerate fools easily, much less
8

elationship with the School.
arrogance in health professionals. Her goal
as teacher is to encourage students to have
confidence in their own reasoning, so that the
chances of them being damaged and insecure
in their decision-making are reduced.
“While the role and function of the nurse has
become less physically stressful, the intellectual
risks and fear of consequences take a serious
toll on nurses. The system is more bureaucratic
and audit focused, and nurses are the people
left to carry that responsibility … that justification
to be perfect and never make a mistake or to
be found wanting.
The curriculums for nurse education
accommodate the expanded obligations
inherent in being a RN, to include writing,
language and communication.
“My time up North opened
doors to transcultural
experiences that have
continued to be an active part of
my study and teaching interest.”
“As educators our role is to arm them
with the skills and ways of thinking to move
forward confidently and articulate their
position to their peers. A failure to act because
of fear of consequences – in the sense of
personal consequences such as discipline or
condemnation – can be devastating.”
For Pam, it is a challenge to impose on
students rational thinking long before they
are in those decision-making roles.
“On one hand we are teaching high order
reasoning and in the next hand discipline and
rigid performance to protocols and procedures.
“While you can’t put an old head on young
shoulders, what you can do is open the minds
so that they are open to alternate ways of
doing something or seeing something.” BDG
Movements
at Noosa
Tracey Simes has taken on
the role of Clinical Placement
Academic, taking over from
Wendy Flanagan who has moved
into a teaching role to support the
internal Bachelor of Nursing.
Tanya Burgess has moved
from her role as Campus Faculty
Administration Officer to School
Administration Officer, supporting
the Deputy Dean, Head of
Program Midwifery with the
development of new nursing and
midwifery programs. NSA
STUDENTS ON TRACK
CQUniversity Australia, a valued partner of The Smith
Family, is a significant supporter of its online mentoring
program – iTrack – with several staff volunteering as mentors.
Nursing lecturer Kadie Cheney from Rockhampton
Campus volunteered for the iTrack program because she
admired its philosophy.
“The program provides students with the opportunity to
develop relationships with trained mentors who can help them
explore their options for the future,” says Kadie. “As mentors,
our role is to listen, guide and support students by advising
them on opportunities available to them in the workplace and
higher education.”
Where possible, The Smith Family matches students
with mentors who have achieved professional success in a
students’ chosen field of interest.
“To date I’ve had one student from Year 10 who was
exploring aspects of child care and another who was
interested in veterinary science,” says Kadie. “The mentor
program provides a way of giving your wisdom and
experience and providing another voice - who is not a parent
or family member – to help the student talk about their way
forward into a career. There’s no personal details exchanged
but the program helps to build the student’s esteem and
guides them with study and career choices.”
Campus Coordinator/
Lecturer Carol McPherson
from the School of Nursing
and Midwifery at Noosa
Campus says each student
is carefully screened by the
Smith Family and matched
based on the profession
and background of the
mentor.
Kadie Cheney, CQUni lecturer,
School of Nusing and Midwifery
“Twenty weeks of sharing in the life of a student towards
the development of a career pathway, especially from a
low socio-economic background, is more rewarding than
I could ever have imagined,” said Carol. “These students
demonstrate determination and tenacity and even though
there is always some shyness or awkwardness, they do not
fear obstacles and that’s what makes it so exciting.
“I believe we have a strong obligation to our community
to assist in career planning for school students and we
(CQUniversity) need to have greater visibility in schools, often
where the appropriate level of information is lacking.”
For more information contact the National Volunteer
Coordination Unit on 1300 397 730 or email your enquiry to
volunteer@thesmithfamily.com.au
9

Winners of the
Marshmallow
Challenge
2012 School of Nursing and
Midwifery Retreat
In June, around 45 staff from the School descended on Noosa to
participate in the annual retreat to discuss learning and teaching,
innovative research, community engagement and sustainable growth.
Teamwork and tape secured the win.
L-R Melissa Major BDG, Annette
Sammut MKY, Terri Brotherton BDG.
and Tanya Fleming BDG.
There is no better place for ‘blue sky
thinking’ than Noosa. Not only because the
cloudless skies and sunshine dominate the
lush green landscape, the Noosa Campus
houses a state-of-the-art collaborative and
colourful learning space, designed to foster
creativity and innovation.
Following a welcome from the Dean,
Professor Ysanne Chapman, who
acknowledged that the land belonged to
the Gubbi Gubbi tribe, facilitator Tanya
Rutherford jumpstarted brains with the
Marshmallow Challenge – each team has
to build the tallest free-standing structure
within 18 minutes, using 20 sticks of
spaghetti, one metre of tape, one metre
of string, and one marshmallow (the
marshmallow needs to be on top). The
collaborative exercise encourages teams
to experience lessons in innovation and
creativity.
Following are the takeaway thoughts
from the retreat that included presentations
on ‘Community Engagement’,
‘Collaboration and Collegiality’, ‘Research’
and ‘Simulation’, as well as workshops for
research, teaching and professorial staff.
1. Sustainable growth
• Improve long term planning to identify
resource needs upfront
• Create greater staff support systems
and development opportunities
• Enhance communication with each
other/ understanding each other
• Work smarter – communicating
internally and externally via IT
• Focus on core business – Research,
Learning & Teaching
2. Community Engagement
• Establish a presence at each campus
with a leader at each campus
• Provide monthly reports
• Focus on key areas of engagement at
each campus
• Publicise conference celebrating 20
years of nursing at CQUni
3. Learning & Teaching
• Support staff in the development of
Quality Teaching
• Implement and Develop curricula
• Produce graduates that contribute
positively to the profession, while
promoting CQUni graduates as
employees of choice
• Enhance inclusiveness, accessibility
and retention of students
4. Create a space for research
• Create a culture of scholarship
• Establish and/or strengthen research
relationships with industry partners
• Develop a clear strategy to disseminate
research outcomes to the wider
communities
• Urgent need for a school website that
includes a research specific section
• Develop a structured mentorship
program
• Quarantine time for research
5. Administration
• Benchmark – best practice reviews of
IT systems
• Risk Analysis (New systems and
integrations)
• Clarity of role expectations – What
administration should Academics do
• Champion to lobby VC for better IT
systems (integrated, user friendly,
effective, etc)
• Campus to hire on-campus IT/ Moodle
support
• Consultation when IT outages planned
(e.g. Not during results uploading time)
• IT to interface Moodle with Grade
Proforma
• More Moodle support staff
6. Communication
• Rotate chair for school meetings
• Face-to-face and electronic monthly
meetings, on rotation
• Professional staff meeting/ and
Research meeting bi-monthly
• Improve data collection by creating an
invaluable information source
• KPIs on attending school meetings
10

Anthem of the 2%
(Rockhampton’s Anthem, sung to
Janis Joplin’s tune Mercedes Benz)
Oh Lord
Won’t you grant me an extension
please
My friends have distinctions
I’m down on my knees
I’ve not worked at all this year
So listen to my plea
Oh Lord won’t you grant me an
extension please
Oh Lord
Please give an Informal Review
My paper is crap
So I’m counting on you
Excuse that there’s no
references
I haven’t got a clue
Oh Lord, won’t you grant me an
Informal Review
The School’s uber party
theme - Be who you
want to be - generated
lots of laughter and
frivolity as many indulged
private fantasies.
Oh Lord
Won’t you grant me a deferred
exam
The terms nearly over
And it’s too late to cram
My dog has just died – the hard
drive is fried
I’m really in a jam
Oh Lord, won’t you grant me a
deferred exam
We now know who wants
to be a fairy princess (with
magic wand) and a super
woman (with funky red
boots.)
11

CQUni addresses
nurse shortage
CQUniversity is doing its part
to inject more nurses into the
state health system with a new
online course aimed at retraining
registered nurses.
According to the Queensland
Nurses Union (QNI), Queensland
will be short about 14,000 nurses
over the next two years.
CQUniversity’s new Registered
Nurse Re-Entry Course (CRNRC)
program is the only one of its
kind offered in Queensland. The
online course is designed for
registered nurses who have let
their registration lapse or who have
not practiced for a minimum of
five years. Currently there are 19
students enrolled in the program,
who are living in all parts of Australia
from Cooktown to Melbourne.
CQUni’s Queensland Centre
for Professional Health Education
Director Deb Austen said the
university identified a very strong
need for the program.
“This program is very important
because there are a significant
number of nurses seeking re-entry
to the workforce, and they are
able to be acknowledged for
their previous experience while
upgrading their knowledge of
contemporary practice through a
recognised course,” said Austen.
The program is scheduled to
run three times a year through
CQUniversity.
For more information on
CQUniversity’s CRNRC program,
join them on Facebook at www.
facebook.com/CqUnicphe or
contact Deb Austen
d.austen@cqu.edu.au.
Engaging online learners
Online education for distant students is one of the fastest growing adult
learning communities, but it does not mean ‘content is king’, according to
the latest research.
Funded by DEHub – a central research
institute for investigation into best practices
in distance education – researchers from
content interactions in these courses?
The team undertook an action research
process that utilised a collective case
Central Queensland University (CQUni) study design to reach cross-institution,
and the University of Southern Queensland multidisciplinary understandings of the
(USQ) investigated learner interaction in
computer-mediated environments.
“Distance education’s online environments
offer an educational domain unique in their
potential for interaction, participation and
patterns, processes and consequences of
learner-content, learner-learner and learnerteacher
interaction in online courses.
The conclusion from the research project
is that learning management system (LMS)
collaboration,” said Dolene Rossi, Lecturer,
design features continue to favour learnercontent
interactions.
A major study planned at Noosa campus is a measurement of
CQUni. “Still, little is known about the dynamics nurses’ responses and understanding of electrocardiographs (ECGs)
and processes of learner interaction and how
these relate to learning in online courses,
which is why our research is invaluable.”
Building upon different studies conducted
by members of the project team (Beer, 2012;
Rossi, 2010), two key questions were framed
as a ‘way in’ to the investigation: How do
learners interact in online courses? What are
the patterns, processes and consequences of
learner-learner, learner-teacher and learner-
(From left) Professor Patrick Danahar, USQ; A/
Professor Bobby Harreveld, CQUni; Damien Clark,
CQUni; Colin Beer, CQUni; Dr Henriette Van
Rensburg, USQ; and Dr Dolene Rossi, CQUni.
AGED CARE FORUM
CQUniversity Rockhampton hosted a forum for Aged Care
nursing professionals in June in partnership with Queensland
Centre for Professional Development and the Centre for
Professional Health Education – a division within CQUniversity’s
School of Nursing.
Managers of Aged Care facilities gathered to discuss their
training needs, and provided a welcome opportunity for the
University to showcase innovative nursing programs.
The forum provided a great starting point to develop the training
needs of the Aged Care industry, and for industry
partners to brainstorm ideas for online short courses
and face-to-face workshops. For more information
contact Deborah Austen d.austen@cqu.edu.au
“Of most interest to the teaching academic
is that over-emphasis on content creation
and learner-content interaction to engage
learners is misguided,” said Dolene, chief
investigator for the project. “Time may
be better spent focusing on embedding
interaction between learners, their peers and
teachers in online course designs.”
DEHub’s findings indicate that engagement
with course content will naturally arise out of
directed interaction between learners,
their peers, and their teachers. However,
the reverse is not necessarily the case, as
directed interaction with content does not
engage learners with their peers, or their
teacher.
BDG
For more information on the research,
contact Dr Dolene Rossi
d.rossi@cqu.edu.au
For more information on DEHub
www.dehub.edu.au/
Director of Centre for Professional Health
Education Deborah Austen shows local
Managers around the Nursing labs
12

The Lady of the Lamp lights the
corridors of CQUni
Nursing students and academics at
CQUniversity can enjoy walking past a
beautiful stained glass window depicting
Florence Nightingale – The Lady of the
Lamp – thanks to a donation by a prominent
obstetrician and gynaecologist, Dr Tom
Dewar, who created the artwork.
Dr Dewar said the location would be
fitting, since Florence Nightingale was a
practical nurse and nurse educator as well
as an academic who excelled at languages,
history, philosophy, theology and statistics.
Nursing is now a flagship program for
CQUniversity. Fittingly, the stained glass
window will be displayed in the foyer of
the Amy Zelmer Building, which is home
to the School of Nursing and Midwifery on
Rockhampton Campus.
Dr Dewar’s stained glass window was
a feature of ceremonies for International
Nurses Day on May 12, and it will also be in
the spotlight during a conference in October
to celebrate 20 years of nursing programs
at CQUniversity.
Speaking during the May 12 event as be
presented the artwork, Dr Dewar said he
had been captivated by the concept of light
passing through a leadlight panel to tell a
story.
“The red crucifix signifies the part God
played in her (Florence Nightingale’s) life.
He called her three times, and this powerful
stimulus altered the course of her life and
Dr Dewar with the stained glass artwork
sustained her,” he said.
“History remembers her as The Lady with
the Lamp. Florence elevated the status of
nursing to a noble profession and initiated a
formal training course.
“Florence was home-schooled by her
father so there was a huge male influence.
She understood Latin, Greek, German,
Italian, History and Philosophy.
“I have used the term Reformer rather
than Feminist. Florence was also an
administrator and a whistleblower. Florence
completed her education by spending
several years in Europe.
“This Lady did not succumb to the cult
of celebrity and refused a State funeral and
interment in Westminister Abbey.” ROK
CAMPUS ACTIVITIES
CAMPUS COMPASS
20 Year Celebration
CQUni is celebrating 20
years of graduating Nursing and
Midwifery students in October
with a conference titled: Learning
from one another – Education,
Clinical Practice and Research.
The conference is attracting
nurses and midwives from the
alumni and nationally. For more
information, contact Conference
Organiser, Dr Tony Welch a.welch@
cqu.edu.au on 07 5440 7035.
“The premise of
this conference -
Looking Back to
Inform the Future
- allows us to revel
in past glories
and move them
forward to inform
tomorrow’s nurses,”
said Professor
Ysanne Chapman,
Dean, School of
Nursing and Midwifery. “With papers
focused on the themes of learning
and teaching, research and clinical
practice, delegates will be able to
catch a glimpse of nursing’s future.”
AUGUST 2012
Wound Care Master Class
Date: 15 August Venue: CQUni Rockhampton,
ROK
Building 18, Room 40
Cost: Members $70; Non-members $90
Time: 4-7pm
Contact: Nurses for Nurses team 07 41513884
Attendees receive a certificate of attendance (3 CPD hours)
OCTOBER 2012
20 years of Nursing and Midwifery conference ROK
Learning from one another – Education, Clinical Practice and
Research
Date: 4-5 October Venue: CQUni Rockhampton
Cost: 1 day $125 ($25 students); 2 days $250 ($50 students)
Contact: Dr Tony Welch 07 54407035
Nurses in Management and
Aged Care (NIMAC) have
offered scholarships to four
CQUni students to attend their
conference at the Gold Coast
this July. The students selected
were Mary Young from Emerald,
Mary Sorensen from Noosa,
Lisa Dunkinson from Cooroy and
Alissa Heale from Bundaberg.
The selection was based on
lecturer recommendations and
students’ expressions of interest.
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