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Meet the team - Ellen Banks
NNA Direct Support Service is Network Nursing Agency's service arm that provides quality disability supports and home nursing to people and families across New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria.
Our Meet the Team series shines the spotlight on some of our wonderful Direct Support team who are making it happen behind the scenes and in our community. In our first installment, we sat down with Community Nurse Manager and Registered Nurse, Ellen Banks, to find out what she loves about her job, her experience moving from the UK to Australia and some of her pet peeves.
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Tell us a bit about yourself
I grew up in North London and went to university on the South Coast to study Nursing. I loved it there so much I ended up staying for 13 years!
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When did you join NNA?
I joined at the end of my first year in Australia in 2016
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What was it like moving over from UK to work as a nurse in Australia?
It was terrifying to move to the other side of the world but also extremely exciting. I was lucky enough to be making the move with a friend, so we had each other for support. Applying for the Working Holiday Visa was easy enough however, as I am sure all international nurses will know, applying to transfer registration to AHPRA is tough, the paperwork is endless!!
I was so nervous attending my first shift as a Nurse in Australia, I had no idea what to expect and I showed up about 45 minutes early “just in case”. However, it went very well, and I was surprised how similar some aspects were to home. Of course, as with any change in job, there are some things totally different and I had to get used to them. It didn’t take too long, and I felt comfortable on shift and with my new role of an agency nurse.
I guess the rest is history, I have been here 5 years this year and still loving it!
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What is a little-known fact about Ellen?
I love scuba diving and most recently dived with reef sharks in Fiji
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Quick Round:
Biggest pet peeve? Loud chewing and undertaking on the roads
Favourite place in the world? As a tourist - a tropical island. To just be - London
Favourite food? Roast dinner of any sort with extra gravy!
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What do you love most about your job?
I love how it constantly changes. I have worked in many roles as a Registered Nurse and all have helped me develop my skills and knowledge. There are a vast range of directions the nursing role can take you. From different wards and specialties to surroundings and countries. I’ve made some great friends and some very interesting people so far, and I am sure there are many more to come.
Nursing is an incredible job filled with so many rewarding opportunities. When it comes to choosing the best career path it can be tricky to know which is best for you. We may be biased, but for most nurses, we believe agency nursing is the best! But, many nurses miss out on the wonderful opportunities available because of some agency nursing myths. So we’re here to bust those myths and show you why agency nursing is awesome. Check out the top 6 agency nursing myths, busted below. 1. Agency nurses don’t get as many benefits Fact: While the benefits employers offer permanent nurses are different, agency nurses get a tonne of incredible benefits. From bonuses for completing certain numbers of shifts, higher pay, flexibility around shift times, refer a friend bonuses, giveaways, bonus holiday time, and so much more. The incentives you get from agencies are never-ending and extremely varied. What you get will change from agency to agency, so have a look at what they offer when you sign up. 2. Agency nursing is only a temporary option Fact: Many years ago, agency nursing was considered a stepping stone to a permanent position, but as nurses seek more flexibility and control over their work, agency nursing has become a popular career choice. It allows nurses to build their careers around their life, making juggling family, study, and hobbies easier than ever. Plus, with Agency Nursing often offering much higher pay, it’s the no-brainer career move for most nurses. 3. I won’t get as much say in where I work Fact: A common misconception is that the agency chooses where you work. But this is not true. It’s the opposite. Agency nurses have full control over the locations they work. Simply select the shifts that are available in the facilities you want to work when you want to work. Of course, not every location in your city may be available to every agency nurse, but you still get to choose where you work. 4. I won’t be supported Fact: Agency nurses often receive more support than permanent nurses. As an agency nurse, you’ll have a team of people backing you up, helping you find jobs, managing shifts, and working with you to help you accomplish your career goals. Whenever you’ve got questions or queries, you’ll know that there is support on hand to help you out. 5. I will be treated differently to permanent staff when on shift Fact: The healthcare sector has become increasingly diversified with nurses coming from a variety of areas. On each shift you’ll work alongside the facilities nurses, part-time nurses, nurses from your agency, and nurses from other agencies. As there is so much demand for nurses the us vs them culture which used to prevail has largely faded away, with nurses from all backgrounds working together to get the best outcomes for their patients. 6. There isn’t enough work for me to take up Fact: With so much demand for nurses in Australia, you’ll find a tonne of opportunities each month. Both our metro and R&R spaces are brimming with opportunities for nurses in Sydney and across the country. A slow month will still have a a lot of shifts for our nurses, so you can keep your income rolling. It’s why agency nursing has become even more popular as a full-time role. Conclusion There are a lot of outdated myths about agency nursing. But as the industry has changed, and nurses are craving greater flexibility, agency nursing has risen to these calls and provided the best solution. If you want to get more flexibility and earn more for each shift, then feel free to get in touch with us. You can get started as soon as possible by registering here .
congratulations to our nurse of the month for March 2024 - Sophie! She's been working hard for her patients and deserves this recognition. You can read all about her time with NNA in the interview below: I love the variety of experiences and opportunities that working with Network Nursing Agency provides. It allows me to work in different healthcare settings and with various patient populations, which keeps things interesting and challenging. The flexibility and diverse learning experiences make each day unique and fulfilling. One of the most rewarding experiences I've had while working with Network Nursing Agency was being able to provide care and support to patients in need, especially during patients challenging times of need and vulnerability . It was fulfilling to make a positive impact and help those in need. The gratitude and appreciation from patients and their families made those moments truly special. I'm passionate about nursing because it allows me to make a difference in people's lives and provide care and support when they need it most. The opportunity to help others and contribute to their well-being is truly fulfilling and rewarding.
Australia is one of the best countries in the world to visit on a working holiday. There’s so much to see and do, so many people to meet, and incredible experiences to be had. If you’re joining us as a nurse, midwife, or other healthcare worker on your working holiday visa, then we’ve got some great tips to help you make the most of your time here. We’ve got some awesome benefits that are designed to help you explore Australia and experience all the incredible things available on this continent. So, let’s kick it off with our top 6 tips for making the most of your working holiday visa as an NNA nurse! 1. Take time off work to travel While it can be tempting to work a lot to take advantage of all the incredible career opportunities available, you do need balance. Make sure you’re booking time between shifts to explore the city and go on day trips. One thing you can do is to plan out larger amounts of time off, especially when you first arrive. You could have a schedule like: Month 1-2: Travel Months 3-5: Work Month 6: Travel Months 7-12: Work and live in your favourite city. This way you’ll have plenty of time to travel and explore the country. You can find the spot that you love while also having time to enjoy the career opportunities available. 2. Move between cities and states Being a part of NNA gives you access to a nationwide network of nursing agencies. This means you can travel and work across the country! The best thing you can do on a working holiday visa is explore all of our incredible cities and regional towns. You’ll love experiencing the unique cultures of each of our cities and regional towns. You can find your favourite to spend the most time in and enjoy all the day trip opportunities available. It’s the best way to explore the country and make the most of your WHV. 3. Prepare for all seasons (including snow) Yep, that’s right, in some parts of Australia it snows. It’s not all hot weather down under, you can experience all four seasons. So, it’s important to pack for them. While most of the year is warm or mild across the country, you’ll find winters can get cold. Plus, if you want to visit Australia’s excellent ski slopes, which are only a couple of hours from Sydney, then you’ll want to bring your snow gear. The best thing you can do is bring along shorts and t-shirts for summer, jeans and a coat for winter, and then some lighter jackets for between the seasons. It will depend on where you will be of course, with northern states experiencing a much warmer winter than those further south. 4. Prepare to drive to get to day trips Australia is a big country. While our cities, and many regional towns, tend to have decent public transport systems, there are many day trips that you’ll need a car to reach. So, if you don’t plan on driving or having a car make sure you plan around this. Otherwise, there are many other options for you. Whether you want to rent a car, try out a car share service, or purchase a car, you’ll have a lot of options. Just make sure you get a local driver’s license as you’ll often need one to register a car that you purchase. If you want to try a car-share service, options like Go-Get are great for day trips, are quite common in Sydney, and are affordable. 5. Use travel packages to find unique adventures To get an experience you can’t get on your own, try out some travel packages. They will bundle multiple experiences together so you can go on unique adventures across Australia. Travel Playground offers a wide range of experiences perfect for those on a working holiday visa. You’ll find short experiences across New South Wales, or multi-day journeys along the east coast of Australia which take you to some of the coolest places in the country. You can check them out here. 6. Use our Travel Planet referral code If you like what you see on Travel Playground then we’ve got a special gift for NNA nurses! As a member of NNA, you get access to some incredible discounts on their packages and experiences. Have a chat with the NNA team and we’ll give you our referral code. It’ll allow you to save some money so you can do more on your working holiday! Conclusion A working holiday visa in Australia is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity so it’s important to make the most of it! Having a schedule and work arrangements that allow you to explore the country, and a referral that allows you to save a bit of money means you can take advantage of every moment. Check out Travel Playground for all the exciting travel packages available and, if you haven’t already, sign up to NNA for an epic discount.
Congratulations Katelyn on winning February's nurse of the month! We're really proud of the hard work and dedication you've put into caring for your patients. This award was a long time coming and we're happy to celebrate your achievements with you! You can read all about Katelyn's time with NNA in the interview below. What do you enjoy about working with NNA? I’ve worked with NNA for 3 years and I enjoy the flexibility agency work provides, I love being able to pick shifts up as I need and schedule them around my day-to-day life. The team at NNA are great and wonderful to work with. What's a rewarding experience you've had with NNA? My career provides ongoing rewarding experiences and I thoroughly enjoy being an emergency nurse. I particularly enjoy working in the emergency department with various patients, providing them care at a very uncertain time for them, and educating/helping them understand what is occurring. What keeps you passionate about nursing? I’m passionate about holistic nursing care, ensuring the individuals' concerns feel heard, in the business of the emergency department. I also love educating colleagues and patients, helping to understand procedures/diagnoses/etc.
If you’re looking for a new experience as a nurse, with exciting career and travel opportunities, then you’ll love rural & remote nursing. You’ll be able to take up a variety of contracts and work as a nurse in rural town or remote location. There’s a tonne of demand in these locations, so you’ll find some exciting work that allows you to explore new avenues of nursing while working in a collaborative environment. Sound exciting? Keep reading as we’ll break down what R&R nursing is all about. Where are the contracts located? NNA gets R&R contracts from across Australia. You’ll find contracts available in NSW, Queensland and the Northern Territory. It’ll allow you to go across the country to explore different locations while earning money. You can choose your location whenever you choose a new contract. So, you can spend more time at a place you’ve already been or explore somewhere totally new. Wanted to visit North Queensland, pick a contract in Cairns. Wanted to visit Darwin, you can pick a shift there too. It’s all up to you. How long do the contracts last for? Contract lengths can vary. Generally, you’ll start with a 4-week contract whenever you start a contract. Sometimes the length can be longer, but you’ll be notified upfront if this is the case. The great thing about R&R contracts is flexibility. For most contracts, if you want to stay for longer, you can extend your contract to up to 12 weeks. This allows you to get more time to soak up the career benefits from your contract, and more time to explore the local area. Of course, it also means that if you don’t like a spot, you can head off after 4 weeks and try somewhere new! What benefits do you get? The specific benefits that you’ll receive differ from contract to contract. Depending on the level of demand some contracts may offer big incentives to convince more nurses to sign up. But there are a few common benefits that you may see across rural & remote contracts. Most contracts will offer free accommodation or accommodation vouchers so that you don’t need to worry about hotel fees or rent. On top of this, they may offer travel reimbursements to help you fly or drive to these locations. Then you’ll also find financial incentives, like higher pay, living away from home allowances, and occasionally sign-on bonuses. The exact benefits will differ between contracts. Are there travel opportunities? There’s so much to do at each contract location. You’ll be able to explore the town, go on hikes, spend time at the beach, or enjoy the many attractions available across Australia’s regional towns. Between shifts, you can take the time to explore, book trips, or get to know the locals. Many nurses use this as an opportunity to explore the country and take in the incredible beauty found in Australia’s rural locations. It’s something many Australians dream about doing when they retire, but for nurses, they can take the opportunity now and earn money while travelling. How do you get started? Getting started with rural & remote nursing is the easy part. You can register your interest for rural & remote nursing at our page here . Once you’re registered, we’ll get in touch with you and help you find the perfect contract. Once you’ve completed your contract, you can then find another or head back home. It’s up to you! If you have any other questions about rural & remote nursing get in touch with us.
New South Wales is one of the best states in Australia to work in as a nurse. Not only is it filled with incredible beauty, amazing beaches, and awesome towns, but it’s also got heaps of opportunities available for nurses. The state boasts a strong job market for nurses and countless opportunities to grow your skills. When it comes to living in New South Wales, most people will immediately think of Sydney. But there are a lot of other great towns outside of Sydney where you can accelerate your career while enjoying the best New South Wales has to offer. Here are 5 towns you should check out. 1. Newcastle New South Wales’ second-largest city, Newcastle offers a beach-side lifestyle, a thriving arts scene, a diverse economy, and decent public transport. It’s loved for its vibrancy, bustling CBD, and cultural heritage. Plus, it's filled with great housing options that are significantly more affordable than Sydney. For nurses, Newcastle provides access to a wide range of high-quality healthcare facilities. There are ample job opportunities available for nurses to take up offering great pay rates. Plus, you’ll have access to some of the best education facilities in the state for further developing your career. 2. Central Coast If you’re looking for a quiet coastal town only a couple of hours out of Sydney then you’ll love the Central Coast. It’s filled with opportunities for leisure, with a burgeoning food and beverage industry and arts scene. Add to it the beautiful beaches and national parks and it’s hard to beat the Central Coast. While smaller than Newcastle, and much smaller than Sydney, the Central Coast still has many great opportunities for nurses. There are some great hospitals and other healthcare facilities to work in. The area is filled with families, so the healthcare jobs available reflect their needs. 3. Coffs Harbour This relaxed beachside town may be famous for the big banana but it offers so much more. Coffs Harbour is fast becoming a creative hub where young artists and creative chefs get their start. It’s created a small town that is buzzing year-round with a strong arts and food scene. On top of the great culture, Coffs Harbour has excellent healthcare facilities for nurses to grow their careers. So, if you’re looking for a fun, laid-back town with great healthcare facilities, then Coffs Harbour is calling you. 4. Orange The first non-coastal town on this list, Orange is a gem in western NSW that you shouldn’t ignore. Known for its tree-lined streets, charming heritage buildings, and fantastic wine, it’s the perfect town for anyone looking to take life at a slower pace. But you’re not giving up much as the town boasts excellent education facilities, a strong economy, and a tight-knit community. As Orange is a regional town there is a tonne of demand for nurses. You’ll find yourself accelerating your career as you take on a more diverse role with the support of your team. It’s a huge plus for any nurse looking to get ahead and face new challenges. 5. Wollongong Wollongong is a picturesque coastal community that’s perfect for anyone seeking a vibrant urban life and natural beauty. Boasting 17 patrolled beaches and a bustling CBD, Wollongong is a town loved by families and young professionals. The city also has great educational facilities such as the University of Wollongong. Plus, it hosts a variety of cultural events throughout the year. For nurses, Wollongong offers the best of lifestyle and career development. You’ll find great healthcare facilities that you’ll love working in and excellent educational opportunities for upskilling. Conclusion New South Wales is far more than just Sydney. It’s a state filled with countless opportunities for nurses. There’s an enormous number of towns to check out if you’re looking for a sea change. Check out our top 5 and see what you think! For more tips for nurses stay tuned to our blog and follow us on Instagram .
This month's nurse of the month is Crystal! She's a passionate, hard working nurse and we want to honour the effort she puts in each day. Crystal is honoured to receive the award and loves NNA's commitment to quality patient care and flexibility in accomodating her schedule. You can read more about her time with NNA in the interview below. What do you enjoy the most about working with Network Nursing Agency?  What I enjoy the most about working with Network Nursing Agency is the agency's commitment to quality patient care, and their flexibility in accommodating my schedule. This has made NNA a fantastic place to work. The collaborative and supportive atmosphere among the teams that I have worked with has made my transition to nursing in Australia really stress free. Tell us about a rewarding experience you’ve had whilst working with Network Nursing Agency? One of the most fulfilling aspects of my work at Network Nursing Agency is the opportunity to assist families in bringing their newborn babies home from the hospital. It's a moment filled with both excitement and apprehension for parents, especially when their baby has spent a long time in the neonatal intensive care unit. What makes you passionate about nursing? As a NICU nurse, my passion for nursing is fueled by the privilege of caring for the most delicate and vulnerable newborns. I find immense fulfillment in witnessing the resilience of these tiny patients and the joy of helping them and their families through their critical moments. The NICU is a place of hope and healing, and being a part of that journey is what makes nursing, in this specialized field, my true calling. Conclusion Thank you Crystal for your passion and incredible work. We're really happy to have you on the team. If you want to send your congratulations to Crystal, leave a comment on our Instagram or Facebook post.
Work-life balance is incredibly important in nursing. As you’re dealing with a lot of stressful situations at work, it’s important to have balance in your life to avoid burnout and maintain your passion at work. Fortunately, there are a lot of great things you can do to improve your work-life balance and increase your quality of life. To help you out, we’ve broken down 8 things you can do to improve your work-life balance. Believe that you can find work-life balance  Many nurses don’t believe that a good work-life balance is possible in their industry. But that’s not true. It’s available to all nurses who stand up and seek it. At NNA your work-life balance is important to us. So, you’ll find unmatched flexibility and support to work when you want to. This will give you the ability to spend more time doing the things you love or spending time with family. Find a hobby A big part of finding balance in life is uncovering what gives you energy. There are obvious things that give you energy, like food and sleep, but one thing that sparks a lot of energy and excitement is passion. Being passionate and excited about something gives us that jolt of energy we need. For a lot of nurses, nursing was that passion. Which is great! Hold onto that. But now that it’s become your career, it can easily become draining over energising. So what can you do to reverse that? Pick up a hobby! Hobbies are an easy way to build that passionate energy. It’s something not tied to your income, is fun, and gives you something to spend your relaxing time doing. The energising force you’ll get from a hobby will help relieve the pressure off your passion for nursing and provide more energy to enjoy each day. Reduce overtime Overtime is great when you’re feeling energised, want to earn a bit more money, and are keen to keep on working. But if you’re feeling a bit burnt or spend too much time each week on overtime, then it may be time to cut back a little bit. We’re not saying get rid of overtime completely. It has its time and place. But ensure you’re not spending all your time at work. You need time for yourself, your hobbies, and your family, all things that energise you. Take breaks If you have leave use it! Holidays are incredibly important to your health and wellbeing. Humans weren’t built to work hard all year, we need time to rest, recover, and enjoy life. It doesn’t even have to be a big holiday like a trip overseas, you can take a break from work at home for a week or two and enjoy the same benefits. Take the time to focus on your hobbies, go on a day trip to the beach, or just spend some time with the kids. It’ll be a relaxing reward for your hard work. Get enough sleep Hospital nurses walk on average 8 km on a 12-hour shift! So, getting enough sleep is incredibly important. It helps give your body enough rest to energise you and reduce your stress levels. Sometimes it can be challenging to get enough sleep. You may have multiple shifts or family responsibilities that reduce your chances of getting enough sleep. But there are a few things you can do to increase the quality of your sleep so that you can get a good rest. Try things like: Wake up at a regular time each day Catch morning sunlight Avoid afternoon caffeine Establish a relaxing bedtime routine Unplug from electronic devices early Manage your time On top of getting enough sleep, make sure you’re managing your time around your needs for rest and free time. Booking in back-to-back shifts, chores, and family responsibilities is a quick way to burn out. Try to schedule your shifts carefully, keeping in mind the time you need for breaks. You can always pick up another shift if you feel up for working. Make sure you’re leaving enough time to eat, sleep, and do things that you love as these energise you. If you need to, ensure you cement barriers with your patients and their families so you can use your time more efficiently and provide the best care. Eat well Eating healthy and nutritious foods is an important aspect of ensuring you’re feeling energised. You’ll find it has a positive impact on your physical and mental health, allowing you to feel upbeat and energised to conquer the day. Just as important as what you eat is how you eat. Take time in your day to enjoy what you eat. Live in the moment, eat foods that taste great, and don’t rush. It can be easy to see eating as something you have to do rather than want to do. But if you take the moment, it gives you some necessary rest and allows you to enjoy the moment. Aim for flexibility The key to getting a work-life balance is to have the flexibility to take the time to do things that energise you. This can be flexibility around shift times or when you can have a break from working. If you’re finding that you don’t have much flexibility on offer in your current role, consider jumping over to NNA. You’ll be able to choose to work when you want to and where you want to, making achieving a great work-life balance a sinch. Conclusion Work-life balance is important to keep us passionate about our work, free of burnout, and loving life. For nurses, it can be a challenge to achieve as you don’t have as consistent of a schedule each week. But with the tips above you’ll find that you’re more energised and your passion at work will be restored. Give them a go! If you’re looking for a greater work-life balance and shift flexibility, reach out to NNA.
Congratulations to Sheeba for winning October’s nurse of the month! We are really proud of you and the hard work you do for your students. You’re a gem to work with. As a clinical facilitator, she’s helping to train the future generation of nurses. You can read more about Sheeba’s time with NNA in the interview below. What do you enjoy the most about working with Network Nursing Agency? What I enjoy by working for network nursing agency is the diverse and dynamic nature of the work, the flexibility it provides, and the opportunity for professional growth and financial rewards. Staffs are very supportive and friendly. Tell us about a rewarding experience you’ve had whilst working with Network Nursing Agency? As a clinical facilitator, watching the transformation of students is always satisfying. Also, working at various facilities gives the opportunity to meet new people and to extend my knowledge. Getting chosen as the “Nurse of the month” itself is a reward and means a lot to me. What makes you passionate about nursing? My passion for nursing is deeply rooted in mentoring future healthcare professionals. Ensuring the delivery of quality patient care through education is a profound motivator. Clinical facilitation keeps me engaged in lifelong learning and updated on nursing skills. Feel free to celebrate Sheeba’s success by sharing this on your Facebook or Instagram!
If you’re a nurse or midwife in NSW, then you’re in for an exciting future career. While there will be some changes and challenges to overcome, future technologies and focuses will make healthcare an extremely rewarding career path. It can be hard to predict the future. But we’ve created a picture of what the future of nursing could be from a combination of existing trends and government reports. The healthcare system is one of NSW’s most important systems, so a lot of thought has been put into how it will be shaped in the future. So, let’s dive into the things you can expect for the future of nursing in NSW. Expected challenges for the healthcare system. The future has a lot of new challenges and changes ahead that will test NSW’s healthcare system. To keep up, the healthcare system will need to adapt and change to the stresses it faces. By 2061 there’ll be around 11.5 million people living in NSW, life expectancy is expected to be at 91.7 for women and 89.4 for men. This will have a massive impact on the healthcare system. Demand is expected to increase at rates beyond population growth, especially in mental health, diabetes, and communicable diseases. At least 750,000 people will have more than one chronic disease by 2032, increasing the complexity of care they need. The demand for telehealth will rise, having been accelerated by the COVID pandemic, and two-thirds of the disease burden in NSW will be managed outside the hospital system. One of the biggest shifts will be in the demographics of NSW. Today only 16% of the NSW population is over 65. By 2031, it’s expected that this number will climb by 700,000 to 22% of the population. Due to the complex health requirements of this demographic, there’ll be a change in demand which is likely to put more pressure on the system. Future technologies will ease some burden. The quality of patient care is set to get a boost with new technological advancements. New technologies will save lives, improve treatments, and increase efficiencies. We already mentioned telehealth, which is set to change the way patients and healthcare workers interact with each other and manage conditions that don’t require in-person visits. But telehealth will extend further than this. Adding in technology like scheduled medication reminders for patients, apps to manage diabetes, and mobile monitors for pacemakers or sleep apnoea. Further developments in automation, robotics, augmented reality, virtual reality, and holographic technologies are all going to revolutionise healthcare practices. They will improve training, increase accuracy, and ease the minds of patients who are undergoing medical procedures. On top of all of that are the advancements in digital technology such as scheduling and patient management software. The continued development in this space will improve efficiencies, reduce the burden on nurses, and increase accuracy in patient care. Greater focus on preventative care. Over 38% of the disease burden in NSW is preventable. As the population grows, and healthcare needs become more complex, prevention will help reduce the number of people needing the healthcare system at a given time. A focus on prevention will also boost health outcomes overall, ensuring people in NSW can be as healthy as possible. This is going to be achieved through an increased focus on promoting positive health behaviours, supporting people managing chronic conditions, and encouraging people to be responsible for their own health. There will be targeted initiatives aimed at identifying patients with early markers for chronic disease and embedding prevention and health promotion in clinical settings. Of course, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. So, a close relationship between GPs, nurses, mental health workers, allied health professionals, and their patients will be key. Better support for staff. Healthcare staff will continue to have the greatest impact on patient experience and outcomes. No technology can replace the care that nurses, mental health workers, midwives, and allied health professionals provide. So, it’s important that staff feel supported and empowered to do the best they can. To do this, new flexible support structures will be required. Staff will need to have access to health support, training, and flexible schedules to improve their own health and reduce burnout. New technologies will assist in enhancing their capabilities, taking some of the load off. But technology can’t do it all, so maintaining a collaborative and supportive culture will be key to reducing staff burnout. Sustainable healthcare. We are now all aware of our environmental impacts across our society. This extends to industries like healthcare. The healthcare industry contributes significantly to NSW’s carbon footprint. So, the future of healthcare will make sustainability and environmental impact a high priority. While single-use items may never be eliminated for health purposes, we can do other things to reduce waste. Using digital systems and resource management can go a long way to reducing waste. As well as this, clean energy and the electrification of vehicles will have a massive impact on reducing emissions. The future nurse will be different from today’s nurse. The future nurse will be more diverse than ever, with people from different backgrounds, nationalities and genders making up the workforce. Currently, 12% of nurses are men, with this number set to rise in the future. This diversity will also include specialisations, with more nurses specialising in even more fields than before. Specialist expertise will be greatly desired to help the healthcare system care for the more complex health needs of the future. So, nurses will be encouraged to follow a specialisation that they are passionate about to fulfil the needs of the industry. As well as this, the future nurse will be far more tech-savvy. More systems will need to be learned and utilised. While advancements in robotics, AI, and smart devices will mean nurses are using more technology than ever before. Skills you could look at building. With all this future change it’s important to stay up to date and adapt. Of course, that is easier said than done, but there are a few things you can start now that will help you out in the long term. Here are some skills you should look at: Reflect, be self-aware, and incorporate the idea of continuous learning into your practice. Aim to be curious or motivated. Take every opportunity to learn something new. Jump into new technologies and be an early adopter. It may be intimidating at first, but it will allow you to stay ahead of upcoming trends. Collaborate and pass on your learnings to others in your team. Effective nursing relies on open and transparent teamwork. Develop and lead projects, while keeping an ear out on national and international health trends. Conclusion There’s a lot to expect for the future of nursing in NSW. As the state continues to grow, and our population continues to age, our healthcare needs become more complex. Added to this are changes in technologies and the need to be more sustainable will change the way we do things in the industry. At the same time, these technologies and a greater understanding of mental health are forcing the industry to adapt and improve conditions for nurses. Keep your ear out and stay hungry for new knowledge so you can adapt to the exciting future ahead. To prepare for the future of nursing you need flexibility. With flexibility, you can schedule your shifts in a way that improves your well-being and gives you the chance to study. Gain this by registering with NNA today .
