Development, implementation and evaluation of an interprofessional graduate program for nursing–paramedicine double-degree graduates
Julie Considine A C , Tony Walker B and Debra Berry AA School of Nursing and Midwifery, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Vic. 3125, Australia. Email: debra.berry1@deakin.edu.au
B Ambulance Victoria, Building 1, 41–47 Joseph Street, Blackburn North, Vic. 3130, Australia. Email: tony.walker@ambulance.vic.gov.au
C Corresponding author. Email: julie.considine@deakin.edu.au
Australian Health Review 39(5) 595-599 https://doi.org/10.1071/AH14258
Submitted: 20 December 2014 Accepted: 17 February 2015 Published: 13 April 2015
Abstract
Over the past decade, several Australian universities have offered a double degree in nursing and paramedicine. Mainstream employment models that facilitate integrated graduate practice in both nursing and paramedicine are currently lacking. The aim of the present study was to detail the development of the Interprofessional Graduate Program (IPG), the industrial and professional issues that required solutions, outcomes from the first pilot IPG group and future directions. The IPG was an 18-month program during which participants rotated between graduate nursing experience in emergency nursing at Northern Health, Melbourne, Australia and graduate paramedic experience with Ambulance Victoria. The first IPG with 10 participants ran from January 2011 to August 2012. A survey completed by nine of the 10 participants in March 2014 showed that all nine participants nominated Ambulance Victoria as their main employer and five participants were working casual shifts in nursing. Alternative graduate programs that span two health disciplines are feasible but hampered by rigid industrial relations structures and professional ideologies. Despite a ‘purpose built’ graduate program that spanned two disciplines, traditional organisational structures still hamper double-degree graduates using all of skills to full capacity, and force the selection of one dominant profession.
What is known about the topic? There are no employment models that facilitate integrated graduate practice in both nursing and paramedicine. The lack of innovative employment models for double-degree graduates means that current graduate program structures force double-degree graduates to practice in one discipline, negating the intent of a double degree.
What does this paper add? This is the first time that a graduate program specifically designed for double-degree graduates with qualifications as Registered Nurses and Paramedics has been developed, delivered and evaluated. This paper confirms that graduate programs spanning two health disciplines are feasible.
What are the implications for practitioners? Even with a graduate program specifically designed to span nursing and paramedicine, traditional organisational structures still hamper double-degree graduates using all their skills to full capacity, and force the selection of one dominant profession.
References
[1] Productivity Commission. Australia’s health workforce: research report. Canberra: The Australian Government, Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing; 2005.[2] Russell AW, Dolnicar S, Ayoub M. Double degrees: double the trouble or twice the return? High Educ 2008; 55 575–91.
| Double degrees: double the trouble or twice the return?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[3] Hickey N, Sumsion J, Harrison L. Nursing double degrees: a higher education initiative in times of nursing shortages. Aust J Adv Nurs 2010; 28 52–9.
[4] Williams B, Onsman A, Brown T. Is the Australian paramedic discipline a full profession? J Emerg Prim Health Care 2010; 8 990383
[5] Preston B. The Australian nurse and midwifery workforce: issues, developments and the future. Collegian 2009; 16 25–34.
| The Australian nurse and midwifery workforce: issues, developments and the future.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 19388424PubMed |
[6] Mannix J, Harrison L, Sumsion J. Transition to work and the career destinations of double degree nurses. Contemp Nurse 2013; 45 64–78.
| Transition to work and the career destinations of double degree nurses.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[7] Williams R. Nurses who work in the ambulance service. Emerg Nurse 2012; 20 14–7.
| Nurses who work in the ambulance service.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 22799043PubMed |
[8] Oglesby R. Recruitment and retention benefits of EMT–paramedic utilization during ED nursing shortages. J Emerg Nurs 2007; 33 21–5.
| Recruitment and retention benefits of EMT–paramedic utilization during ED nursing shortages.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 17258048PubMed |
[9] Machen I, Dickinson A, Williams J, Widiatmoko D, Kendall S. Nurses and paramedics in partnership: perceptions of a new response to low-priority ambulance calls. Accid Emerg Nurs 2007; 15 185–92.
| Nurses and paramedics in partnership: perceptions of a new response to low-priority ambulance calls.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 17993276PubMed |
[10] Whetzel EA, Wagner LK. Transitioning paramedics into emergency nurses: a unique population of new nurses. J Emerg Nurs 2008; 34 154–5.
| Transitioning paramedics into emergency nurses: a unique population of new nurses.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 18358359PubMed |
[11] Australian Health Practiitoner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). National Board guidelines for registered health practitioners: guidelines for mandatory notifications. Canberra: AHPRA; 2014. Available at: http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:hqFxxt70PfMJ:www.ahpra.gov.au/documents/default.aspx%3Frecord%3DWD14%252F13129%26dbid%3DAP%26chksum%3D2STYQzPr5%252B%252B8bFILcmOfag%253D%253D+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=au [verified 17 November 2014].
[12] Victorian Government Department of Human Services. Mandatory reporting: advice 1122. Melbourne: Victorian Government Department of Human Services; 2012. Available at: http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/cpmanual/intake/overview-of-intake-of-reports-under-the-children,-youth-and-families-act/?a=660715 [verified 17 November 2014].
[13] Parliament of Victoria. Version No. 091. Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981, No. 9719 of 1981. Version incorporating amendments as at 24 August 2010. 1981. Available at: http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/Domino/Web_Notes/LDMS/LTObject_Store/LTObjSt5.nsf/DDE300B846EED9C7CA257616000A3571/652E75AD1B785534CA257789000756C4/$FILE/81-9719a091.pdf [verified 16 December 2014].
[14] Parliament of Victoria. Authorised Version No. 010. Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Regulations 2006, S.R. No. 57/2006. Authorised version incorporating amendments as at 16 June 2011. 2006; Available at: http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/LDMS/LTObject_Store/LTObjSt6.nsf/DDE300B846EED9C7CA257616000A3571/CBB80677A53FB2B4CA2578B1000601ED/$FILE/06-57sra010%20authorised.pdf [verified 16 December 2014].
[15] State Government of Victoria Department of Health. Training and development. Nursing and midwifery Policy. 2014. Available at: http://www.health.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/506580/TDNursingMidwifery2014-15_Guidelines.pdf [verified 16 December 2014].
