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Our School Review was conducted in July 2009 with an international and national panel of experts and we are working through the recommendations which will provide a solid foundation  for the future growth of the School over the next decade.
Great news to hear that The University of Queensland was once again successful in a new GP Superclinic proposal to be located at UQ Ipswich Campus. The $2.5 million clinic will have a focus on chronic disease and mental health and offer a range of services in collaboration with local practitioners to serve the Ipswich community. Our School staff and students at both undergraduate and postgraduate level will be involved in implementing and evaluating innovative models of interdisciplinary primary health care through the clinic. The Faculty of Health Sciences, UQ has experience in innovative models of care at Inala Primary Care, in Brisbane's south. UQ is also partnering with the Moreton Bay Region community to establish a GP Super Clinic at Redcliffe, north of Brisbane. This approach to primary health care fits well with the recent recommendations of the National Hospital Health and Reform Commission Report A Healthier Future for all Australians. We look forward to the future involvement of our School in the clinics.
Congratulations to Dr Christine Neville who was recently awarded a UQ Trans-Pacific Fellowship. Christine will spend 4 months in 2010 at the University of Washington, USA to work with leading researchers to further her work in the care of older people with dementia and their carers. Christine is pictured with Professor Max Lu, UQ Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research receiving her award. Chris has also been reappointed for 3 years to the Research Board of the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses.
 Congratulations to two of the School professional staff – Sharon Boyes and Janelle Valentine (pictured left), both from UQ Ipswich Campus, for receiving UQ Miracle Worker awards for excellence in their professional work. Sharon and Janelle received their awards from the UQ Chancellor, Mr John Story at a ceremony this month.
Congratulations to the following students:
· Jacqueline Jauncey-Cooke, PhD scholar and recipient of the U21 scholarship to be hosted by the Univeristy of Korea, October 2009;
· Rachel Bibby, 2nd year nursing student who is the 2009 recipient of The Walter & Eliza Hall Trust Scholarship valued at $6000 and offered to a UQ nursing student each year;
· Alicia Bye 2nd year nursing student who has been selected to attend the University of Pennsylvania, USA on a student exchange in 2010;
· Meng [Nicky] Sun an international nursing student who has receive the TocH bursary; and
· Claire White, 1st year nursing student who is Queensland’s top female coxwain and a member of the Queensland Youth Cup Rowing Team – early morning shifts won’t be a problem for Claire!
We are very fortunate to have many high achieving staff and students within the School. I know that everyone is working to maximum capacity for the benefit of the School and your willingness to strive for excellence in all you do is greatly appreciated and well worth the effort.
Welcome to the following new staff who have recently joined our School - Lya McTaggart our new School Marketing & Communications Officer; Dr Susan Young who is working on postgraduate coursework development for the new Masters program and Dr Julie Hepworth who will be looking after the Research Higher Degree scholars in the School.
Professor Catherine Turner
Head of School
"…It's a funny thing about life. If you refuse to accept anything but the best, you very often get it…" Somerset Maugham
Latest News
Learning - Issue 4
 New degree developments
A suite of postgraduate programs in nursing has been approved by the university, with a Graduate Certificate in Nursing (Grad Cert), a Graduate Diploma in Nursing (Grad Dip) and a Master of Nursing (MN) in six fields:
- Advanced Practice Nursing (a generic field for students whose specialty area is not currently offered)
- Children and Young People’s Health
- Chronic Disease Management and Palliative Care
- Gastroenterological Nursing
- Primary Health Care Nursing
- Rural and Remote Nursing
The three degrees articulate with each other and with the Master of Nurse Practitioner Studies. In the Grad Cert there is one core course in evidence based health care, two field specific courses and an elective. For the Grad Dip, students will complete the Grad Cert, plus a core course with an educational focus, two more field specific courses and another elective. For the MN students who have completed the Grad Dip, there is a core leadership and management course, a research course and a small project.
The Master of Nursing Studies (graduate entry), which will allow students with a degree in any other discipline to study over 2 years to become a nurse, has also been approved by the university, but is awaiting approval by the Queensland Nursing Council.
Future proposals
The School has also just submitted to the university for approval a similar suite of PG degrees in Midwifery and a new field of Mental Health Nursing in the Master of Nurse Practitioner Studies.
Interprofessional Education
The third pilot of the simulated ward is to be held on the afternoon of 21 September with nursing students filling the roles of patient-actors as well as participating in “RN” roles with medical students as “interns”. The report of the first two pilots indicated that students learned from the experience both as participants and as observers. With the addition of students as patient-actors, there is potential for the experience to be of benefit to larger numbers, and future plans include expanding access to other health professional students such as pharmacists and physiotherapists.
Second and third year nursing students who attended the interprofessional seminar on caring for a frail elderly woman in a community setting with medical, pharmacy and physiotherapy students reported that it was extremely valuable. There will be another seminar on 28 October considering the care of a person with a stroke.
Conference presentations
Tracey Brandis carried the flag for the simulated ward interprofessional education team at the SimTecT (simulation and technology) conference in Melbourne on 10 September. She presented a poster titled “Planting seeds: fostering undergraduate professional practice through scenario-based simulation”.
Associate Professor Stephanie Fox-Young
Teaching & Learning Coordinator
International - Issue 4
Student Exchanges
University of Auckland: Laura Hollingworth took up her ‘post’ in Auckland in July. Reports suggest she is having a terrific time and will be taking some ‘touring’ time-off in early September.
University of Pennsylvania: Alicia Bye is focused on her exchange for first semester next year. She has become the ‘University of You’ face for Health – the new UQ branding promotional activity. A new UQ SONM International Exchange Scholarship for the University of Pennsylvania is available to assist with exchange related expenses. The scholarship provides funding for UQ Bachelor of Nursing students only.
University of Glasgow: Margaret Sneddon, the HOS, UoG Nursing & Health Care will be visiting 16th-17th September. School staff will be involved in discussions with Margaret for the purpose of establishing a student exchange for 2011.
Community Health Placement Cambodia
Fourteen students have confirmed their involvement in the Cambodia trip, scheduled for January 2010. This cohort of current Year 2 students will be accompanied by SONM staff – Clinical Lecturers Peta Crompton and Jane Menke. The group will meet again with Antipodeans Abroad representatives on September 2nd to discuss travel arrangements, fund raising activities and to hear from Clinical Lecturer Jacqui Young who recently visited Siem Reap (Cambodia) on behalf of the SONM. Jacqui will be presenting a short power-point presentation of photographs of the local area and the facilities students will be attending.
Virtual Exchange Project
The VEP is nearing ‘launch phase’ scheduled for September. A small cohort of six UQ SONM Year 1 students has volunteered for the pilot, under the supervision of Clinical Lecturer Debbie Pittaway. Communication has been flowing freely between UQ SONM and partners in the VEP, The University of Nottingham (UoN). Debbie recently returned to the UK on family business but took the opportunity to contact the UoN to discuss the VEP. Those interested in learning more can contact Debbie ( d.pittaway@uq.edu.au) or Dr Anthony Tuckett ( a.tuckett@uq.edu.au).
Lutheran University of PNG
August 17 2009 Press Release, Lae, Morobe Province (PNG): The Lutheran University of Papua New Guinea inaugurates a new partnership with the University of Queensland [School of Nursing-Midwifery] through the Queensland Brain Institute [QBI] to develop an innovative Bachelor of Nursing [BN] degree programme customized to the special needs of Papua New Guinea. The University of Queensland will graciously gift the people of Papua New Guinea with much of the needed funding to develop this Nursing Degree Program and its curriculum. Dr. Catherine Turner the Head of the School of Nursing-Midwifery from the University of Queensland [UQ] communicated with LUPNG detailed arrangements to provide an office, salary, and travel expenses for a registered nurse academic to serve as a professional curriculum designer who will be based at UQ within the Nursing School. The UQ appointed curriculum designer Ms. Deborah Pittaway has a Masters in Nursing from the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom. She has extensive experience with university curriculum development and has previously worked with groups in the military and Malaysia on programs to suit the needs of specific contexts and cultures. Ms. Pittaway will liaise with relevant PNG staff to upgrade the pre-existing three-year Diploma in Nursing and consult during the curriculum development phase to ensure that PNG nurses are able to implement the degree.
The curriculum development and related funding is an important and formidable gift to the people of PNG towards increasing the standard of life throughout the nation by the University of Queensland. Work is expected to commence shortly and is projected to be completed within two years. For further information contact Dr Anthony Tuckett ( a.tuckett@uq.edu.au).
Dr Anthony Tuckett
Senior Lecturer and International Coordinator (Academic)
Discovery - Issue 4
The School Review process offered us the opportunity to pause and reflect in an otherwise busy research schedule. Special thanks to the researchers and research higher degree  scholars who made themselves available to the review panel. The dust has all but settled on the School Review process and the recommendations which impact on discovery in the school had been preempted. Recognising that the broad areas of research defined at the inception of the school needed to be reviewed and refocused a Research Strategic Planning Day is scheduled September 21st as part of the Research Week activities. This will allow the research community of the school to clarify research foci and align these with strengths at Faculty and University, consistent with national priorities.
Our scheduled Milestones Presentation in July was postponed. The schedule of activities and presentations in Research Week 21-25th September should provide something for everyone, with a number of skills sessions interspersed with Milestones and 3 Minute thesis presentations.
Congratulations to Jacqui Jauncey-Cooke who is the recipient of the School of Nursing & Midwifery U21 Scholarship. Jacqui will attend the U21 Doctoral student forum and present her work on Lung Recruitment Strategies in Paediatrics.
The number of applications for RHD Scholars Publication Incentive grant is steadily growing. Congratulations on those scholars who have been successful in having their work accepted for publication in peer reviewed journals. Special congratulations to Joanne Lim who has recently had a paper accepted for publication on first submission without further review!
The School is participating in the UQ Summer Research Scholarships Scheme for 2009 that aims to expose coursework students to the exciting world of research. A number of potential projects using varied methodologies have been identified, details of these offerings and scholarship application forms can be accessed on the School website. This would be a great opportunity for those interested in a research career, to put a toe in the water and we look forward to hosting up to 6 Summer Research Scholars in the School.
Associate Professor Fiona Bogossian
Postgraduate Research Coordinator & Director of Research [Acting]
The UQ/Blue Care Research and Practice Development Centre (RPDC) is a collaborating Joanna Briggs Centre – The Australian Centre for Evidence Based Community Care  (ACEBCC). ACEBCC in collaboration with The Queensland Centre for Evidence Based Nursing & Midwifery will be holding comprehensive systematic review training. The 4 day workshop will be held at the Mater Hospital on 7th – 10th December. Participants can attend one or more modules which provide the participant with an introduction to evidence based practice (Module 1), skills to conduct a Joanna Briggs Systematic Review for quantitative (Module 2), economic (Module 3) qualitative (Module 4) and narrative (Module 5) types of research. Total cost for the 5 modules will be $1,500 or individual modules can be taken. If you are interested in attending training please contact the Deputy Director of ACEBCC, Dr Anthony Tuckett – a.tuckett@uq.edu.au
The skills learnt during the systematic review training enable students to complete a Joanna Briggs Institute Systematic Review as part of their Honours, Masters or Phd program which results in a publication in a peer reviewed journal.
 The RPDC as part of the Queensland Node of the ARC/NHMRC Research Network n Ageing Well Consortium held a successful grant writing workshop on the 24 th July. The workshop was attended by nine researchers from around Australia. Two collaborative grant applications addressing family carer end of life research priorities were drafted during the one day workshop and these will be further refined for submission for 2010 completive grant rounds (see photo).
Drawing close is the Queensland Node of the ARC/NHMRC Research Network in Ageing Well Consortium activity to be held on September 25th – The positive ageing journey. This symposium is an innovative educational event with a primary target market of baby boomers, older adults and care givers for older adults. The symposium aims to offer attendees constructive seminars to prolong independent living, social, cognitive and functional health for more details contact Dr Tim Henwood t.henwood@uq.edu.au
A new resource for aged care staff working in residential aged care has been developed as part of the Implementation of a comprehensive evidence based palliative approach in Residential Aged Care (CEBPARAC) project led by Associate Professor Deborah Parker. The 14 minute DVD – Conducting Palliative Care Case Conferences provides education on advance care planning and how to conduct a palliative care case conference. The DVD forms part of an implementation Toolkit that is being trialed in nine residential aged care facilities around Australia. Further information about this project is available from Karen Hughes – k.hughes5@uq.edu.au
Associate Professor Deborah Parker
Acting Director UQ/Blue Care RPDC
Engagement - Issue 4
Graduate e-cohort:
The Graduate e-cohort is coming along nicely with 86 of our UQ SONM Alumni currently participating in the study. We have had an amazing response from the Class of 2009 Alumni who graduated in July with over 50% participation! Our partners in New Zealand have 48 participants so with 134 nurses and midwives registered in total; we have the beginnings of a great research project! We would like to extend a big thank you to all our participants.
If you are still considering joining the study, it is never too late. The study is conducted entirely online and involves approximately 15 minutes of your time annually for five years to complete an electronic survey. Regular updates on the study’s progress will be posted on the Graduate e-cohort website ( http://graduates.e-cohort.net) along with links to journal articles as they are published. The University of Queensland’s nursing and midwifery graduates are the only nurses and midwives in Australia being invited to participate. If all this has made you curious, visit the website and register … you can help make a difference to your profession today!
Graduation Badge
 In the last newsletter, Head of School: Professor Catherine Turner, offered a Nursing Graduation Badge to all Alumni at no cost. These badges were first presented to nursing and midwifery graduates at graduation on 20 th July and one-third of Alumni are now wearing one. There are specific badges available for Nursing, Midwifery and Nurse Practitioner graduates.
If you are yet to request a Graduation badge, the next mail-out will be at the end of November. Send me your current contact details (Address, phone number, email address) and I will add you to the list. Additionally, we are asking all Alumni to nominate their current workplace. This information is to be used by our Marketing and Communication Officer Ms Lya McTaggert who assures you that you or your employer will not be contacted as a result. Workplace information provided will only be used for developing marketing strategies for future students and graduates.
Alumnus Abroad:
Our first Alumnus Abroad is Class of 2006 Alumnus Elke Murray who has just completed time working in the Oncology department of The Beacon Hospital in Dublin, Ireland.
Any of our students or Alumni planning on working in Ireland in the future will be pleased to hear of Elke’s experiences gaining registration in that country: “ UQ was the best university to come through as I gained full registration in Ireland due to my great university practical experience. Most other Australians have to do a six week adaptation course her when they arrive so I am very fortunate to have been given full registration”.
“Surprisingly there are not that many jobs in Ireland at the moment for nursing. Lots of cutbacks and the health system is in dire straits. I have been fortunate to always be employed but I am looking forward to coming home to more of a stable environment. And it also makes me appreciate the health systems Australia has. Nursing itself is very similar to Australia though, but the system is old fashioned in some ways. For example, nurses don't really question doctors, and being Australian you can guarantee I asked my fair share of questions which in some ways gave me respect BUT was frowned upon also. But here I am telling you all the bad! The good parts are the nurses are all so friendly, the money is great and the shifts are 12 hours so you only work 3 days a week! Very handy when travelling!”
Elke completed her contract in September and met up with her parents in Ireland before heading off to travel Europe for the next few months. She will be back in Australia in time for Christmas and is considering another working holiday sometime in the future.
If you are an Alumnus currently working overseas I would love to hear from you. Send an email to s.kellett@uq.edu.au and tell me what you are up to and I will feature you as a future Alumnus Abroad.
Social Event:
Mark the 4 th of November in your diaries as that is when the School of Nursing and Midwifery is holding its annual Cocktail Party. This year it is being held at the UQ Staff and Graduates  Club, St Lucia Campus. Those who attended last year’s function at Customs House will remember what we all got drenched in the downpour preceding the event so we are hoping for better weather this year! All Alumni are invited to be our guests at this event that will run from 1700 to 1900 hours on the evening. Partners are welcome to attend for $30 per head payable on the evening.
RSVP to Theresa Pryor t.pryor@uq.edu.au no later than 23 rd October 2009 if you will be attending this event.
Missing Alumni:
We have relocated two Alumni since our last newsletter … many thanks to those who helped point me in the right direction. We still have a few members we are trying to locate …
Class of 2006: Jennifer Parker, Sarah Laune, Michelle Davies, Lauren Rothwell and Angela Plumbe.
Class of 2007: Teresa Kenny, Indira Mendis, Cherie Gawen, Sharon Madsen, Kristy Nash and Chantelle Shannen.
Class of 2008: All currently accounted for.
Class of 2009: All currently accounted for.
If you are in touch with any of our missing Alumni or can pass on their contact details, please contact me at s.kellett@uq.edu.au
Don’t forget to let me know your new contact details if you move house, change your email address or get a new phone number so we can stay in touch.
Susan Kellett
Alumni Coordinator [Academic]
Project Manager - Graduate e-cohort Study
Welcome to Lya McTaggart who commenced as the School’s Marketing and Communications Officer in July. Lya is doing a fantastic job implementing the School’s marketing strategy. As  part of the School’s marketing strategy, staff have been actively engaged in promoting School programs through secondary school visits in particular to our Top 10 Feeder schools and those schools participating in the early offer scheme. I would like to thank all School of Nursing and Midwifery staff and students who have contributed their time at expos, conferences, school visits and open days. Your contributions are greatly appreciated.
The School has implemented sponsorship of several new scholarships for students. Congratulations to all of our undergraduate and postgraduate students who have recently been awarded scholarships (please refer to Professor Cathy Turner’s report above). The School is also currently seeking industry funding for additional scholarships.
Leanne Tucker
School Executive Officer
Staff Spotlight
Staff Spotlight - Issue 4
Academic Staff Spotlight
Within the School, Christine Neville focuses on developing and co-ordinating the School’s contribution to the Master of Mental Health Nursing and the Mental Health Field of the Master of Nurse Practitioner Studies. Christine also has responsibility for the online delivery of lectures and is the chief investigator on a number of research projects. Christine also supervises post-graduate students.
Previously, Christine was the School’s Undergraduate Program Director where she was responsible for the implementation of the Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Midwifery and the Dual Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Midwifery Degrees.
“That was a very complex and varied role that constantly dealt with curriculum, student, staffing and clinical partner issues. Being replaced by two very competent people made me realise why I was so tired!” Christine said.
Christine has a background in tertiary education for nurses and has taught across many areas calling upon her clinical experience in mental health and intensive care nursing.
Christine counts one of her greatest professional achievements as co-authoring a book with Professor Gerard Byrne on Community Mental Health for Older People, which is due for publication in December this year.
“I am really proud of the work Stephanie Fox-Young, Sandra Goetz, Kerry Neale and I did for the mental health course in the Undergraduate Nursing Degree. We are busy evaluating and writing up that project. I am looking forward to taking up the Trans-Pacific Research Fellowship to research dementia with some of the best in the world at the University of Washington. I have just been re-appointed to the Research Board of the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses and I am Chair the Education and Research Committee of the Psychogeriatric Nurses Association.”
The part of Christine’s role that she finds very rewarding is graduation day each semester.
“Seeing graduating students and their parents is always special”.
In her spare time Christine enjoys “spectatoring” sport, as well as snow skiing, bushwalking, camping, quilting and horses.
Professional Staff Spotlight
Theresa Pryor began working the School as PA to the Head of School of Nursing in 2005, as one of only three administrative staff in the School. Theresa has enjoyed learning every  aspect of Student administration and performing higher duties when the administrative staff numbers dropped down to just two!
“I've represented the School at Open Days, TSXPO & Graduation and organised anything from morning teas to Course Development days for the School. In 2008, I farewelled (or more truthfully, sprinted from) the front desk, and my role became more specialised”.
Theresa now maintains the following for all Undergraduate Programs within the School:
- Electronic Course Profiles
- Timetabling and room bookings
- Exam papers
- Ward Information Booklets
Theresa is also one of the Building One Fire Wardens.
“Being Fire Warden for level 3 (bldg 1) allows me the small thrill of evacuating everyone in my area upon hearing the woop woop sound. As First Aid Officer for the School's Ipswich site, I'd appreciate everyone keeping injuries to a minimum, in fear of actually fainting if there's too much blood”.
Theresa continues to arrange travel far and wide for most academic staff. Apart from never leaving any School staff flightless or without accommodation in another state or foreign country, Theresa’s achievements to date include maintaining responsibility for several roles within the School as the School has grown and developed, all the while maintaining composure and a smile.
Theresa’s newly allocated DACA responsibilities (Deputy Alumni Co-ordinator - Academic) allows her to continue to assist in bidding our wonderful Graduates farewell in style, and makes all of the above organised chaos tiring but fabulously worthwhile.
“I enjoy my weekends at home on 5 acres at Fernvale with my wonderful fiance Drew (did I mention we were getting married on Nov 7th?), and watching my 3 lovely girls grow up!”
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