Nursing Issues

Nurse & Midwife Leaders Forum Report
The report represents the experiences and views of 130 nursing and midwifery leaders, current and future, from around New South Wales - held in Terrigal, 27-29 April 2007. » more

Policies, Guidelines & Position Statements
The NSW Nurses' Association continuously reviews and develops policies. All policies are approved by Annual Conference delegates to ensure they are a true reflection of members' needs and aspirations. NSWNA Policies NSWNA Policies - Updated January 2010 - Click Here » more

Public Hospitals
Public hospitals are the bedrock of our health system. They face myriad issues including staff shortages, under funding and access problems. Making the nursing profession attractive and respected is pivotal to solving the problems of public health. » more

Private Hospitals
The NSWNA believes the provision of private health services is, and should remain, complementary to a viable and effective public health system and that remuneration, conditions of employment and other entitlements of nurses employed in the private sector must be equitable with those employed in the public health system. » more

Mental Health
The NSWNA is of the view that mental illness is no longer a public health issue. After decades of neglect we now face a major human rights issue. It is now time for all Australian governments to fund mental health services appropriately and ensure we have a skilled workforce capable of delivering high quality care. » more

Student Info
The NSWNA runs an Undergraduate Student Network that meets regularly. It provides a forum for undergraduate students in nursing where they can form networks across universities, share information and ideas and hear about issues that are affecting the nursing profession and to share their views on these issues from the perspective of a student. » more

Rural Issues
The Association is very concerned about the myriad of issues that face our members and the community in general in rural and remote areas. Issues such as the drought, youth suicide, the shortage of health professionals and many other issues impact significantly on rural communities and particularly on nurses working in these areas. » more

Medicare
Australia's universal health insurer remains under attack, despite the fact that Medicare has delivered high quality health care at low cost to Australians for over 20 years. The NSWNA is committed to the preservation of public health care in this country. » more

Legal Issues
The NSW Nurses' Association employs Legal Officers to provide the following service: legal advice; legal representation in relation to professional conduct issues and matters before the Coroner; education seminars on legal and professional issues; and assistance with drafting statements to Police and Employers. » more

Women's Issues
The Association has a strong commitment to women's issues and is represented on the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) and Unions NSW women's committees. There is a Professional Officer devoted to women's issues who represents the Association's interests on all gender related issues. As the majority of child rearing activities remains in the female domain child care matters are also dealt with within the women's portfolio. » more

Disability Nurses
The health care needs of developmentally disabled people in NSW have been neglected too long. In NSW developmentally disabled citizens and their families confront more barriers to accessing specialist services. » more