PAH’s growing Nurse Practitioner workforce is being celebrated for the incredible knowledge and experience they bring to patient care each and every day.
Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are the highest qualified clinical nurse in Australia with a master’s degree and an extended scope of practice, they can independently assess, diagnose, order, and interpret tests, prescribe medications and refer to other health professionals.
Chair of the NP Committee Doreen Tapsall said there’s been a big focus on ensuring Nurse Practitioners an integral part of the healthcare system.
“We started with four NPs at PA Hospital and we now have more than 20 NPs who assist and influence the healthcare delivery of our patients,” she said.
“Queensland had their first nurse practitioner course starting in 2009 so we’ve grown exponentially over the last 15 years in Queensland.
Nurse Practitioner Week is marked on 9 - 15 December and was a chance for PAH staff to embrace the theme ‘Voices for Health, NPs Leading Change.’
A PA event celebrated experienced NPs and those who are newly qualified, including Hero Mifune who is one of PAH’s three successful candidates this year.
“I have a clinical and personal commitment that I want to help with dementia patients. Being a NP is the highest level of nursing expertise in the clinical space so I can do a lot more things for the patients,” he said.
His inspiration? His grandma who has dementia and was one of the motivating reasons to progress his career and become a Nurse Practitioner.
Happy Nurse Practitioner Week to all our wonderful NPs at PAH! Thank you for all that you do.