Mater Educator recognised with National Emerging Leader Award
Mater Education Continuing Professional Development Coordinator Peta Sullivan has been recognised at the National Awards for Catholic Health Australia with the ‘National Emerging Leader Award’.
Peta is the architect of a Queensland first Nursing Refresher Course to bring experienced nurses back into the acute care workforce, and has two more courses under construction.
At the National Awards on Tuesday evening (28 August) in Melbourne, CHA’s Chief Executive Suzanne Greenwood explained that Ms Sullivan identified a solution to two problems—the immediate deficit in experienced nursing clinicians in the acute setting, and increasing demand from nurses outside of the acute workforce eager to keep current and competent with clinical skills.
“Peta designed and delivered an excellent life-changing workforce solution working with the Australian College of Nursing and Mater to deliver Mater’s Education’s Nursing Refresher Course,” Ms Greenwood said.
“Peta recognised the shortage of experienced nurses in the acute settings and knew Mater would benefit from returning experienced nurses to employment.”
Using contemporary educational methodology and adult learning principles, Peta designed the program to recognise prior learning and evidenced competence, and shaped the course inclusive of 24/7 accessible online learning, with workshops, simulation and clinical placement, supported by excellent supervisors.
Commencing in November 2017 Mater’s Nursing Refresher Course had 22 clinicians through the program, of which 12 are now employed at the Mater, and 25 are currently completing the course. The next round has generated 130 expressions of interest from Gympie, Brisbane, Armidale, northern NSW, Adelaide and Melbourne.
Peta has committed to replicating this transformational program within Mater Mother’s Hospital and is well into the design of Mater’s Midwifery Refresher Program to be launched later this year.
The Catholic Health Australia Awards 2018 honour exemplary practice in health and aged care from a field of 80 hospitals and 440 aged care facilities, employing more than 83 300 people.
