Passion for nursing leads to PhD
Amanda Jones
14 April 2014: University of Canberra PhD graduate Jackie Lea’s passion for nursing will take her all the way to Canada to present her findings at an international nursing conference.
Dr Lea’s PhD examined new graduate nurses who enter rural nursing practice and the learning support they need in their first year of work.
“Most new nurses begin their career in Australia on a transition to practice program that is designed to provide structured workplace support as the new graduate makes the transition from being a student nurse to a professional practising nurse,” Dr Lea, also a senior lecturer in nursing at the University of New England, explains.
She said that move is further complicated by the unique role of the rural nurse, which she says is often described as a ‘specialist-generalist’ or ‘jack or all trades’ role.
“Rural nurses often work in areas where there are limited health services, health care facilities and medical practitioners and so the role of the rural nurse requires a multi-dimensional approach accompanied by a broad range of skills.”
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Dr Jackie Lea’s PhD examined new graduate nurses who enter rural nursing practice. Photo: Michelle McAulay |
Dr Lea became aware of the difficulties rural health service staff face in her role as clinical coordinator for a pre-registration nursing program.
She hopes her research will highlight the importance of a supportive graduate nurse program specific to the rural environment, while also addressing recruitment and retention concerns of new graduate nurses in the rural workforce.
“The rural nursing workforce is ageing and there are critical health workforce shortages, particularly in Australian rural health services. This needs to be addressed if rural nursing practice is to survive as a viable and rewarding nursing specialisation.”
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