Quirindi Care Services (QCS) has teamed up with the Aged & Community Care Providers Association (ACCPA) to address the nursing shortage in rural and remote areas.
By participating in the ACCPA Nursing Transition to Practice Program, QCS can attract, retain, and upskill their existing staff while ensuring top-quality care for residents.
Amber Ferguson, a registered nurse at QCS, exemplifies the success of this initiative. Her journey from care staff to registered nurse, supported by QCS and ACCPA, was profoundly inspired by her personal experience of caring for her declining mother.
The ACCPA Nursing Transition to Practice Program, launched in February 2022, tackles the critical shortage of nurses in rural and remote areas by offering specialised training, mentorship, and professional development opportunities. The program supports newly graduated registered and enrolled nurses in their first two years of work and registered nurses with prior experience new to the sector.
Amber transitioned from care staff to a registered nurse after completing her qualifications while working part-time, with support from Quirindi Care Services providing study leave to pursue her Bachelor of Nursing. Reflecting on her journey, she noted that the training significantly increased and strengthened her knowledge and skills, covering a broad range of topics such as clinical governance, incident management, wounds, and NDIS, and how to apply these in the aged care sector.
Amber acknowledged that the understanding and flexibility of her manager and colleagues were crucial in helping her complete her studies and graduate. She also emphasised the invaluable support from ACCPA, particularly the weekly professional development sessions, which were directly relevant to the aged care sector and made the content highly applicable to her role.
A Personal, Inspired Commitment to Aged Care
Amber’s commitment to aged care is deeply personal. She shared that QCS holds a special place for her, as her mother was a resident and passed away at Eloura in 2018. Her experience of caring for her mother in her own home led her to realise the challenges of watching a loved one decline and require care.
This experience motivated her to change careers, complete Enrolled Nursing in late 2020, and start working at QCS while completing her Bachelor of Nursing at The University of New England, graduating in October last year.
Amber finds being an RN in aged care to be a rewarding career and believes everyone deserves dignified, person-centred, and compassionate care. She thoroughly enjoys making a difference in the lives of the residents she cares for.
Building Confidence and Knowledge
Kim Riley, General Manager of Quirindi Care Services, highlighted the positive impact of the ACCPA Nursing Transition to Practice Program.
“Seeing Amber thrive through the ACCPA Nursing Transition to Practice Program reaffirms the value of investing in our staff. Her journey reflects the transformative impact of tailored professional development and the crucial role it plays in delivering exceptional care in rural settings.” said Riley.
Amber plans to further her studies in dementia and palliative care, continuing her learning journey in a challenging but rewarding career.
She noted that rural nursing requires RNs to be competent and efficient with technology and communication skills, enabling them to engage with other health professionals and access the required care in a timely manner.
A Mutually Beneficial Partnership
The partnership between Quirindi Care Services and ACCPA demonstrates how tailored support and professional development can significantly enhance aged care in rural areas. By investing in their staff, Quirindi Care Services ensures excellent quality care for residents at Eloura, while ACCPA provides the necessary tools and support to help nursing staff thrive.
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