The Process of Registration as a Nurse - Coursework Example

Professional Issues in Nursing Practice Introduction Like any other profession that puts human life at stake there must be regulations and requirements put in place to ensure that professionalism is maintained. Nursing is a very important career that involves the lives of people and there for it is sane to have strict requirements that have been put in place by the relevant regulatory board just to ensure competence and credibility. In order to understand the whole process there are a number of aspects that can be looked at in this fraternity of nursing and midwifery (Audrey, 2004). Why governments regulate the profession of nursing According to Dempsey et al. (2009), midwifery and nursing hold compliance and awareness in high esteem in an effort to observe the practicing legal requirement. The framework for regulation is important to ensure that health consumers are protected and competent practitioners practice their skills effectively. The framework to regulation ensures that professional status are achieved and maintained. The government is interested in having at its disposal competent and well-educated workforce in order to ensure the provision of safe midwifery and nursing services. This has led to enactment of a regulation framework defined by practitioners having credible credentials and putting in place standards that are achievable. Regulation of midwifery and nursing in Australia is apparently convoluted and complex owing to the presence of multiple jurisdiction (Cherry &, Jacob, 2005). An explanation of the process by which a nurse will now obtain registration to practice in Australia The state is bestowed with the power of regulation of midwifery and nursing. It is a requirement by the state for any midwife or nurse to ensure that she or he is registered to be able to practice in a given state. Practicing without up-to-date registration constitutes a legal offence. A license to practice is automatically authenticated by merely registering. Registering in a given state enables one to operate in that given state and not another one because the application of any law state is specific to that given state only (Louise, 2007). The state government and the federal and territory governments in the beginning of 2008 came to an agreement to launch a system of registration that is national for nine health professions that can be recognized. These professions will include midwifery and nursing. Every single territory and state possesses its own provisions for legislation. Despite the differences existing in the various states, the overall framework has in common three fundamental concepts which include: registration of midwives and nurses, establishing disciplinary processes for midwives and nurses and accrediting education programs form midwives and nurses to ascertain their reliability (Dempsey et al., 2009). Accreditation This fundamental function is concerned with power to accredit and review educational programs being offered by institution of higher learning like universities and provide a roadmap that is used to achieve that accreditation (Crisp & Taylor, 2008). Registration The right to practice is necessitated by registration hence it is a very essential and inevitable exercise. After registration, one can earn income by practicing midwifery or nursing. It is a severe offence to try practicing midwifery or nursing without registration. One can be accused of ‘holding out’ which is an offence that involves the representation of oneself as a registered midwife or nurse when one in real sense has not attained that status. Extensive legislative provisions exist in each state regarding to registration. The provisions outline the different categories for registration and the eligibility for registration. They also outline the requirement for registration. Each state’s legislation empowers a councilor board to ensure the administration of the Act (Audrey, 2004). The Council of Midwifery and Nursing of Australia The standards for practice are established by the power of regulatory authorities. These state centered nursing and midwifery authorities (NMRAs) came together and formed a national council called the Australian Nursing and Midwifery council. According to Zerwekh & Claborn (2006), this body has been in charge of the developing of competencies for midwives and nurses who are registered, together with ethics and codes of conduct for nurses and midwives in Australia. The set standards are adopted by the state regulatory authorities and are observed in the given state jurisdiction. It is mandatory for each practicing midwife and nurse to get acquainted with the provisions contained in these documents. To ensure perpetual relevance and validity the competencies are on regular basis reviewed (O'Sullivan, 2000). Registration process An application for registration will go through four basic stages but these stages could go up to eight. Stage one: Application The submitted hardcopy application form is reviewed for completeness internally. This form can also be completed and submitted on-line. The forms for application can be downloaded from the page of Common Application Forms, which contains linkages to specific profession forms found on the website of every National Board (Chang & Daly, 2007). Stage two: Assessment The assessed information is assessed using the registration standards as a yardstick. During this stage the applicant might be requested to divulge more information or go through various examinations or tests in relation to health issues or competencies. A specified recommendation is the issued may be register with conditions, reject or simply register. If the application involved is straight forward and has been recommended for registration, a representative of the board can register the applicant without referring him or her to the relevant National Board. Cases that bear many complexities will automatically be referred to the National Board for the final resolution (Hally, 2008). Stage 3: National Board Decision The National Board can accept the recommendation or take any other action. The decision by the board will be to register, register with conditions, or simply reject the application. Stage 4: Registration Registration is then finalized and the relevant certificates and letters are prepared and issued to the applicant. Stage 5: Submission If the National Board rejects the application or accepts the application subject to conditions, the information will be relied to the applicant at this stage. The applicant may then be compelled to submit his or her appeal to National Board. Stage 6: Assessment of the Submission Preceding Stage 5, the appeal of the applicant is considered and an appropriate final decision is made. Stage 7: Tribunal If the applicant is not satisfied with the final decision of the board, he will proceed and present his or her case to a tribunal for the very final decision to be made. Stage 8: Withdrawn incomplete If the requested response from the applicant is not received within the required time, the application is subsequently closed-withdrawn and incomplete. A registered practitioner can renew his registration online. Limited registrants and Chiropractors are not allowed to use the online service owing to the additional information required from them (Speedy. & Jackson, 2005). The requirements for maintaining registration as a nurse, once obtained. Annual renewal of nursing and midwifery registration or enrollment With the Act of Nursing and Midwifery Board, is due by March 31 of every year. The registrations of ACT Health employed midwives and nurses must be current for an individual to perform and attend work duties. To ensure maintenance of registration an individual employee has responsibility to; renew their annual registration in a timely manner, present the original copy of their current license to practice their midwife/nurse manager by 1st April of each year, if on extended leave, show an original copy of their present license to practice to their midwife/nurse manager on the first day that they resume work, work within their scope of practice, condition of registration and comply with legislative requirements, advise their midwife/nurse manager of any conditions or limitations on their license and registration to practice (Funnell & Gabby 2008). The disciplinary processes (i.e. complaints) of AHPRA and the NMBA for nurses registered with the national Nursing & Midwifery Board of Australia. The regulation of midwifery and nursing is a prerogative of the government to ensure protection of consumers of healthcare services. If the competence or fitness of a midwife or a nurse is questionable his practicing license may be revoked. Where for example if a nurse may become mentally impaired or ill or in some other way is unable to practice as a competent practitioner then the NMRAs have the power to deregister such a person. The provisions for impairment are somehow different from those concerning unprofessional conduct because they entail the health of the health care practitioner. Addiction to any other drug or alcoholism maybe considered to fall in the category of impairment. There exist numerous formulations in different jurisdictions concerning professional conduct (Dempsey, et al. 2009). Provisions such as those existing in New South Wales divide professional conduct into unsatisfactory professional conduct and this does not result in the registration being cancelled and those involving professional misconduct or unprofessional conduct. The regulatory authority may cancel or suspend registration owing to unprofessional conduct, which is a concept that is legal and has a definition in the legislation of some states. The process involved in such cases entails complexities and they are outlined in detail in each of the Acts. This entails disciplinary powers bestowed on regulatory body and every midwife and nurse should acquaint himself or herself with the various powers since those powers comprises of the right to: impose fines, impose conditions on practice, cancel registration, require a health check, suspend registration-the right to practice-for duration of time, and recommend the practitioner to undergo counseling (Chang & Daly 2007). Funnell & Gabby (2008) note that registration as a midwife or a nurse is a license to practice. It is such a monopoly on property right and practice and it cannot be withdrawn without following the due process, which comprises of notice of the investigation entailing the nature of the allegation and a fair and just hearing. A number of tribunals and committees have been established to listen to allegations of unfitness and/or misconduct. Their main role is to act as a mechanism of maintaining high standards of practice in midwifery and nursing and in the long run ensuring safety in healthcare services and at the same time exercising the protective role of the regulatory authority (Crisp& Taylor, 2008). The procedures and processes concerning such committees and tribunals are outlined in the legislation for the given jurisdiction. There are a number of publications put in place by the various NMRAs which provide particular examples of actual disciplinary matters that have been listened to in the particular jurisdiction. It is vital to get familiar with these cases to familiarize oneself with what constitute of professional misconduct (Tollefson, 2004). Conclusion Every career comes with a share of its own challenges. To be able to deal with the challenges effectively it is very important to have necessary regulation and legislations that deal with them. The authority boards in Australia have gone a long way to ensure the streamlining of the functions of nurses and midwives in the country. They have charted the roadmap in ensuring all matters arising are dealt with sanity. References Dempsey, J. et al. (2009). Nursing and Midwifrey: A Person-Centered Approach to Care. Walnut St. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Hally, B. (2008). A Guide for International Nursing Students in Australia and New Zealand. Melbourne: Elsevier Australia. Chang E. & Daly J. (2007). Transitions in Nursing: Preparing for Professional Practice. Sydney: McGraw Hill. Cherry B. &, Jacob S. R. (2005). Contemporary nursing: issues, trends, & management Edition3. Melbourne: Elsevier Health Sciences. Funnell, R. & Gabby K. (2008). Tabbner's Nursing Care: Theory and Practice. Elsevier Australia. Speedy S. & Jackson D. (2005). Contexts of Nursing. Melbourne: Elsevier Australia. O'Sullivan J. (2000). Law for nurses and associated health professionals within Australia. Taylor & Francis, 1983 Tollefson, J. (2004). Clinical psychomotor skills: assessment tools for nursing students Edition2PublisherCengage Learning Australia, 2004 Louise, R. S. (2007). Basic concepts of psychiatric-mental health nursing. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Crisp, J. & Taylor C. (2008). Potter and Perry's Fundamentals of Nursing Edition3, Melbourne: Elsevier Australia. Audrey B. (2004). Kozier and Erb's Fundamentals of Nursing: Concepts, Process, and Practice, 8/e (With DVD). NY: Pearson Education. Zerwekh J.G. &, Claborn J. C. (2006). Nursing today: transition and trends. Melbourne: Elsevier Health Sciences. Read More