Job Title: Enrolled Nurse
RESPONSE TO THE ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
ENROLLED NURSE
VRN: RKRH-052006-16
AC 1. Demonstrated ability to perform as a member of a multi-disciplinary team and have the ability to take direction and utilize effective time management
During my 25 year experience of working as an enrolled nurse I have demonstrated a strong commitment to working within a supervised, multi-disciplinary team structure and being able to efficiently and effectively managing my duties and unit functions to the satisfaction of the Nurse Unit Manager.
As an Enrolled Nurse at the Rockhampton Eventide Home I provide supervised care to the client through the assessment of client needs and the administration of individual care plans determined by the Registered Nurse. During my duties and attendance to the client I am able to observe any reaction to medication or dressing etc and I am able to discuss with the Registered Nurse on duty any changes or variations which may be needed or beneficial to the clients comfort and well being.
Between 1991 and 2003 I was a Community Health Enrolled Nurse employed by the Macquarie Area Health Service. My role was that of a Generalist Enrolled Nurse with a range of responsibilities. I reported to the Nurse Unit Manager and took part in team meetings with the NUM and registered nursing staff. At these meetings the care of clients was discussed and clinical pathways in operation were evaluated. As my areas of responsibility covered wound management and the provision of support to the dementia specific carers, I was able to have significant input into the functions of the team. I evaluated the procedures and recommendations made to me by the carers and from the family members of dementia patients and also evaluated the procedures and progress of members of the Wound Management Unit before passing on information to a Registered Nurse for further evaluation and action.
During 2000 I took leave from the Macquarie Community Health Service in order to take up a temporary relieving position with the Dubbo RSL Aged Care Association. I held the position of Team Leader of the Special Care Unit and as such, was responsible for meeting with and holding discussions regarding treatments and care management protocols with Doctors, Physiotherapists and a variety of Health Care Professionals.
As the Team Leader I fulfilled a number of roles besides that of nursing. I was responsible for the overall management of the 20 bed Dementia Specific Unit, the generation of reports to the management which covered admissions and patient discharges and the recruitment, supervision and rostering of the staff . I enjoyed this responsibility which provided added experience to my time management skills.
AC 2. Demonstrated ability in verbal and written communication skills, incorporating interpersonal communications skills towards staff visitors and residents.
I have very good written communication skills which were developed through the need to be able to write reports and enter data using a PC. I consider my verbal communication skills to be excellent having been developed through contact with diverse members of the hospital environment and through contact with the families, friends and visitors to residents of the hospital.
In my role at Eventide I have significant contact with both the residents and with their families who may be visiting. I keep conversations on a light note and refer any enquiries regarding treatments etc to either the Registered Nurse on duty or to the NUM. I treat all conversations with the clients as being important and ensure that I employ the correct listening skills and non-verbal body language which indicate interest and that I’m listening to what they have to say. I believe that this is a major aspect of showing respect and demonstrating to them that they are not just another bed!
I have undergone training in Group Leadership and Group Facilitation Skills held by the Alzheimer’s Association of NSW and have developed skills in:-
- Identifying the needs of participants in a group setting
- Creating an interesting program for family carers in a support group
- Recognizing the stages of group development
- Identifying the different roles individuals play within groups
- Leading a group effectively
All of the above exercises need good communication skills which incorporate listening, verbalizing and the use of body language. I believe that teamwork is created out of respect for each others skill’s, abilities and professionalism and that on-going training and professional development foster that goodwill towards other team members.
Whenever possible I have made myself available to attend professional development training and have kept abreast of developments regarding Dementia, Behaviour Management, The Care and Protection of Children and Young Persons Act and with WPH&S issues.
In other nursing situations I have been required enter data into client admission and discharge files using in-house software programs and to submit written reports for perusal by either the Registered Nurse or to the Nurse Unit Manager. To expedite this process of communication I bought myself a PC and took a Certificate Level course in Office Computing Skills.
AC 3 Demonstrated ability to deliver quality nursing care to residents focusing on the individual needs and rights of the patient.
In my experience as an Enrolled Nurse I have endeavoured to undertake roles and responsibilities which compliment my education, experience and skill base thus delivering quality nursing care whilst maintaining the dignity of the client through attending to their needs with respect, compassion, understanding and confidentiality.
During my career, working as a Generalist Enrolled Nurse in the Wellington District Hospital, the Macquarie Area Community Health Centre and the Eventide Home, I have delivered quality nursing care to the patients, clients and residents in my care. My experience and training as a nurse has enabled me to be able to perform mental risk assessments which assist in the prevention of falls and other physical harm from occurring. I ensure that I and others support the need for allowing the dignity of the client to remain intact and the privacy of the client to be respected, even when the most intimate of services were being performed.. In caring for my client I am able to provide compassionate, holistic care by assisting them to come to terms with having to be assisted with showering, toileting, dressing and nutritional care.
As a demonstration of this I will refer to my taking special leave from the Macquarie Area Health Service in order to gain experience in a special care unit of the RSL Aged Care Association situated in Dubbo NSW. At this facility I gained first hand experience in dealing with the needs and protecting the rights of the aged residents. Through prior training and experience I was aware of the debilitating effects of old age upon a persons physical and metal capacities. I was able to oversee the actions of subordinate staff and ensure that each resident was managed with respect, compassion and complete confidentiality by the nurses, nursing aides and food service staff employed by the unit.
More recently, I completed a three month exchange program in which I left Eventide and took up duties at Birribi between January and April of 2004.
AC 4. An understanding of, or the ability to acquire knowledge of contemporary Human Resource Management issues including Workplace Health and Safety, Equal Employment Opportunity and Anti-Discrimination principles .
Having been employed in the nursing industry since April 1978 I have experienced many changes to health care working conditions and to human resource management.
I enjoy working within an organizational protocol of Vision, Purpose and Values and within the contemporary management issues of Employment Equity, Workplace Diversity and Workplace Health & Safety.
In April of 2000 I received training and was appointed to the position of Occupational Health and Safety Representative of the Macquarie Area Health Service Community Health Unit. In this position I was responsible for initiating a strong Duty of Care ethic within the unit’s staff members and encouraged the reporting of hazards and potential hazards.
Employment Equity:
Employment and opportunity within the workforce should be based upon a persons ability, skill and experience regardless of disability, colour, cultural background, sex, sexual preference or persons from non-English speaking backgrounds. Employment and promotion should not be based upon length of service, sex, friendship or other similar factors.
Anti-Discrimination:
All employees of an organization are entitled to the respect, trust and support of their work colleagues. Equally, management has a responsibility to maintain a working environment which encourages outstanding performance, cooperation and equity. People must not be discriminated against or harassed.
Federal and State Anti-Discrimination Acts make it unlawful to discriminate against a person because of:-
- Race, colour, nationality or ethnic origin.
- Sex, marital status, pregnancy or family responsibilities.
- Physical or mental impairment.
- Sexual preference.
- Political or religious conviction.
- Industrial activity.
- Parental status.
- Physical features.
- Status as a carer
Harassment:
Harassment is unwelcome conduct that is felt to be intimidating, humiliating or offensive.
Harassing behaviour can be physical, verbal or visual and could be based on perception i.e. if someone perceives a behaviour to be offensive then it may constitute harassment even if it was unintended.
Harassment may be Sexual, Racial or Disability Harassment and a complaint can arise as a result of :-
- A male employee’s conduct towards a female
- A female employee’s conduct towards a male
- A male employee’s conduct towards another male
- A female employee’s conduct towards another female
