The Nurses Board of Victoria is expected to make a decision this month on the application by Holmesglen TAFE to offer the nursing degree from 2009.
The forum is endorsed by ANF (Vic Branch), ANF Federal Office, Metro Health Services Nurse Executive Group, National Tertiary Education Union, Royal College of Nursing, Australia and the Victorian and Tasmanian Deans of Nursing and Midwifery.
The ANF (Victorian Branch), along with the other nursing professional groups, is opposed to any proposal that turns back the clock and moves Division 1 education from universities to the TAFE sector.
Whilst the State Government's education and training regulatory body, the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority, has accredited Holmesglen TAFE's application, approval from the NBV must take place prior to Holmesglen proceeding with offering the nursing degree.
The NBV released a discussion paper on the issue in late July calling for submissions, which closed on Monday 11 August 2008.
In its submission to the NBV the ANF expressed its concerns about the role it understands the Board must play, subject to its powers, under the Health Professions Registration Act 2005. The ANF believes that the NBV must also consider Holmesglen's application in the context of the Council of Australian Governments' agreement to move the Registration and Accreditation of Health Professionals to a national system by 2010.
The ANF submission also outlined four major concerns it had regarding conducting the Bachelor of Nursing in institutions other than the university sector:
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That the approval by the NBV of the Holmesglen (or any other TAFE provider) Bachelor course will have an immediate adverse impact on the supply of registered nurses into the Victorian health workforce.
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That the approval for this course will, in the medium to long term, adversely impact on the recruitment and retention of registered nurses within the Victorian health workforce.
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That, with the imminent move to National Accreditation of Nursing Courses in Australia, this course may not meet the criteria for accreditation.
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That graduates from this course may not have the required education or undertake their degree in an educational environment that meets the demanding complex needs of the future nursing workforce in Victoria.
The ANF believes that the issues raised in its submission require the NBV to withhold its approval of the Holmesglen course. The NBV should also, under its powers, refer the matter to Victorian Health Minister Daniel Andrews for his direction.
The NBV is required to consult with the Minister and have regard to his advice.
The statewide nursing forum will be held from 2 - 3.30pm on Thursday 11 September at Dallas Brooks Hall in East Melbourne.
The forum will include speakers from the nursing bodies endorsing the forum. In addition, Mr Philip Gardner, Partner from Ryan Carlisle Thomas, will address the forum. Importantly it provides an opportunity for nurses to find out more and ask questions.
