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“Hi, my name is Maddison Curry. I am currently a registered Enrolled Nurse though I wish to further my studies. So, I am currently a student at the University of Canberra studying my Bachelor of Registered Nursing”. 

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Whilst studying my Bachelor of Nursing during my first year I enrolled in the unit Professional Orientation in Nursing. One of the unit requirements was to write a persona essay. This essay required us to analyze the NMBA code of conduct for nurses and NMBA RN standards of practice standard 3 ‘maintain the capability for practice’.  I worked on my essay for months and revised the NMBA standards thoroughly. Though I was struggling with my referencing. This created a huge problem for me as I have never referenced prior. I found this quite stressful. However, I reached out to study skills, pals, and a few other useful resources at the university which eased my stressors. I also discussed this with a few of my peers about the matter and they helped me realize and reassured me I have the support and will learn the essential referencing skills in due course.

Being a first-year nursing student, I am required to learn new skills and adapt to all new things. I could have reached out for more help, though in that situation getting frustrated over one of my first assignments was the worst choice. This situation is important as this helped me to gain practical knowledge and identify my weaknesses. I took action by reaching out and getting help. However, I do believe that there were several other actions as well that could have helped me deal with the situation. I could have been more organized and met with more of my peers as well as my coordinator and other teachers.

Though now I know what is required and have revised the university guidelines I feel much more confident with my referencing and essay skills as a first-year student.

After resolving my situation, I found the required skills I need to adopt to improve my essay writing skills for all other future nursing assignments. I also found that I need to engage in effective communication to understand what is required. This not only essential for my assignments but also as a future nurse working in our hospitals. Besides this, I have also decided to uptake more pals classes for all my subjects. This should help with my future assignments/exams which should help prevent future various issues from taking place during my studies.

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I believe it is important for everyone to strive to demonstrate the characteristics of honesty, persistence, and compassion. My philosophy on nursing is that if I use those characteristics, coupled with a desire for lifelong learning and a willingness to represent others in need, I can make a difference in the life of my patients and their families and become a strong member of the profession.

I also like the nursing theorist Jean Watson. As In n1979, Jean Watson developed the philosophy of caring and highlighted humanistic aspects of nursing as they intertwine with scientific knowledge and nursing practice(G. W. Bsn RN, 2023). I try and put this into practice as I believe this is an important philosophy to abide by.

I also as an aspiring nurse, feel like it is my responsibility to develop an attitude of life-long learning and take advantage of every opportunity to develop my skills that will benefit my patients and skills as a registered nurse.

I also believe that nursing is more than a career. It is a privilege to help others who cannot help themselves. I will forever try to help others in whichever way I can. I can’t wait to become a registered nurse(50 Nursing Philosophy Examples + How to Write Your Own, n.d.).

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Above I have attached a visual representation of how the nursing regulatory components connect with the Australian healthcare structures and systems.

Though I will now explain how these components connect.

Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (APHRA) is Australia’s health regulator which administers a national registration and accreditation scheme for health practitioners, extending to 15 national boards that also play a role in the Australian health care system. Though for nurses, this board is the Nursing and Midwifery Board (NMBA).

Now let me tell you about APHRA.

APHRA’s role is to facilitate public safety of health practice in Australia

• To set standards, ‘the codes’, & policies that all registered health practitioners must meet

• To be registered with AHPRA you are required to self-identify with one of the ‘protected titles’ set

out in the legislation - it is an offense to do so without registering. (Australian Government Department of Health, 2022)

The NMBAs role is to ensure that Australia’s enrolled nurses and registered nurses are trained correctly, qualified, and safe to practice. Public safety is a priority. The NMBA regulates the practice of nursing in Australia(NMBA, 2017b), (Australian Nursing & Midwifery Accreditation Council | ANMAC, n.d.).

Now I would like to explain ANMAC. ANMAC stands for The Australian Nurses and Midwifery council and was established by the NMBA to exercise selected accreditation functions on behalf, under agreement with APHRA. So for example students couldn’t par-take in a bachelor of nursing or midwifery without ANMAC(NMBA, 2017b), (Australian Nursing & Midwifery Accreditation Council | ANMAC, n.d.).

Now let’s dig into what healthcare systems fall under APHRA!

Firstly I would like to discuss General Practice and Primary Healthcare. Some of the providers in primary healthcare include community nurses, dentists, pharmacists, doctors, and allied health workers. Primary Health can also be provided in various setting which includes; general practices, community health centres, and even in your own home. This is usually the first point of call for most illnesses in Australia (Healthdirect Australia, n.d.) .

Another service provided in Australia is our After-hours services and Emergency department. Emergency departments (ED)s are able to treat patients who need urgent medical or surgical care. Most EDs are located in, and operated by, public hospitals throughout Australia.

EDs are designed to deal with acute (severe and sudden) illnesses and life-threatening medical emergencies. Non-acute, less serious conditions are best dealt with by a general practice(Healthdirect Australia, n.d.).

As for our After-Hours service they provide an option for people to call their doctor or a nurse which is called a call-out service. Though this is usually only available in major cities and centres in Australia(Healthdirect Australia, n.d.). They will provide them with information and advice from a registered nurse and/or doctor.

Next I would like to discuss Public and Private hospitals in Australia. Hospital services in Australia are provided by both the public and private sectors. Public hospitals are owned and managed by state and territory governments(Healthdirect Australia, n.d.).

Medicare provides access to free treatment and accommodation in a public hospital for Australians.

Though if you have private health insurance, patients may get some funding to cover the costs of care in a private hospital(Healthdirect Australia, n.d.).

Medicines and prescriptions are also under APHRA.

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) ensures that Australians have access to affordable medicines. The PBS subsidises the cost of prescription medicines so that Australians can access a wide range of medicines without having to pay full price(Healthdirect Australia, n.d.). Australia’s

The next system I would like to discuss is Australias health records . My Health Record is an online summary of your key health information(Healthdirect Australia, n.d.). It allows you to share your health information with doctors, hospitals and other healthcare providers if you want to – whilst being secure.

Finally I would like to discuss Primary Health Networks (PHN) and Local Hospital Networks (LHN), which also fall under APHRA.

Primary health networks (PHNs) are independent, government-funded organizations. PHN improve the coordination of medical care across the healthcare system, as they try and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the healthcare services provided in Australia(Healthdirect Australia, n.d.).

Local hospital networks (LHNs) are responsible for a group of local hospitals, or an individual hospital, linking services within a region(Healthdirect Australia, n.d.).

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My culture and upbringing have helped define the way I see myself, set my expectations, and how I act. As I always try to be a good person, believe in god (as well as science), & always love giving back to the community. Family is also very important to me, I believe always having that set time at dinner to be together is very important. This is because it helps us come together and to build better relationships with my family.

Though as a nurse I pride myself in accepting everyone, and treating everyone equally. I also do my best to research different cultures, beliefs and religions so that I can provide the best care to all my patients.

For example, I have learned that Hindu culture seems very different to my own. As the central belief of Hinduism is the law of cause and effect – karma!  Hindus believe that their wellbeing, & their current and future lives are affected by every action, word and thought which accumulates karma. Hindus also believe in reincarnation.

I personally believe in science, which is quite different to any other customs or beliefs. Science is objective & studies the world as we know it. In science, it is forever changing, constantly experimenting, and always welcoming new ideas as they are tested and challenged.

Although I personally believe in science; I also like to learn about other religions and am open minded about the idea of there believing in god, and a possible afterlife. As mentioned previously, scientists are always open to new theories & the universe may be too complicated and precise to have formed itself as evolutionists believe.

I believe in always being inclusive and learning about different cultures or beliefs so that I can have a better understanding with people from these groups. Being inclusive allows me to see from different perspectives and to always be more accepting. I also believe being inclusive will increase efficiency and productivity in the workplace.

In summary the cultural and political paradigm in Austrllia has influenced me to be understanding of all cultures and political views. As I believe to increase social awareness of these cultural issues, I would educate people, and explain the importance of it. As mentioned previously, when people have a better understanding, they can be more accepting.

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Bsn, G. W., RN. (2023). Nursing Theories and Theorists: The Definitive Guide for Nurses. Nurseslabs. https://nurseslabs.com/nursing-theories/

50 Nursing Philosophy Examples + How To Write Your Own. (n.d.). https://www.nursingprocess.org/nursing-philosophy-examples.html

NMBA. (2017b, February 2). NMBA. Nursing and Midwifery Board Australia. Retrieved March 28, 2023, from https://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Codes-Guidelines-Statements/Professional-standards/registered-nurse-standards-for-practice.aspx

Australian Nursing & Midwifery Accreditation Council | ANMAC. (n.d.). https://anmac.org.au/

Australian Government Department of Health. (2022, November 15). Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra). https://www.health.gov.au/contacts/australian-health-practitioner-regulation-agency-ahpra

Healthdirect Australia. (n.d.). Australia’s healthcare system. Healthdirect. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/australias-healthcare-system