ANNUAL report - Queensland Nurses Union

ProfessionalStrategic objectives:»»Facilitate empowerment of members to achieve their professional objectives»»Advocate for the maintenance and advancement of nursing standards»»Provide effective professional representation»»Provide leadership in the advancement of innovative nursing practice»»Contribute to advancements in nursing education, research, training anddevelopment»»Influence and contribute to health and aged care policy at all levelsSignificant and ongoing reform of the health system overthe past year has created many opportunities for theQNU to further the professional interests of members,with much more work to be done.It has also been necessary to defend the professionalinterests of members on a number of fronts.National registration andaccreditation scheme for healthprofessionsOn 1 July this year a single national registration andaccreditation scheme for health professions wasintroduced.The QNU has expended considerable resources toensure the interests of members are advanced under thenew scheme, which has seen some considerable changesto the way nurses and midwives are registered andaccredited.Nurses and midwives who hold current registrationor enrolment with the Queensland Nursing Council(QNC) on 30 June 2010 were automatically registeredunder the national scheme on 1 July.New registration standardsThe Nusring and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA)has developed a set of mandatory registration standardsfor nurses and midwives who renew or apply for aregistration under the new national scheme.The QNU has and will continue to educate members aboutthese requirements through our range of publications.Unfortunately, there have been considerable difficultiesassociated with the introduction of these standards.In particular, critical issues with the professionalindemnity insurance standard and the English languageregistration standard have meant the QNU has beenactive in lobbying for changes as well as defendingmembers’ interests.A comprehensive communications and educationstrategy has been implemented to support membersaround the changes.Queensland Nurses’ Union of Employees | Annual Report 2009-2010 | 13