The Council of Remote Area Nurses of Australia Does Not Support Single Nurse Posts
The Council of Remote Area Nurses of Australia once again raises the issue of the
safety of nurses working in single posts in the most remote locations in Australia. This
follows the report of an assault on one such nurse working alone in a single nurse post
in the remote Torres Strait.
In its positional statement of May 2002, The Council of Remote Area Nurses Inc. stated
its opposition to Remote Area Nurses working in single nurse posts.
The findings of a two year study entitled "Unfinished Business” by Associate Professor
Trudy Yuginovich and Remote Area Nurse Lyn Hinspeter into the stressors of Remote
Area Nursing supports this position and shows strong links between nurse’s concern for
their personal safety and working in single nurse posts. Those interviewed discussed
levels of violence within communities and how this creates fears for their personal
safety. They also expressed concern at the difficulties in maintaining the appropriate
level of primary health care needed for people dwelling in these small isolated
communities.
Many of the factors that contribute to the stress levels and ultimately the retention of
Remote Area Nurses working in single nurse clinics could be overcome if Health
Departments replaced single nurse posts with two or more nurses.
CRANA is committed to supporting nurses working in these locations and believe that
their work plays a major role in the health outcomes of people in all remote
communities. However, CRANA is also committed to the safety of nurses. It is clear
that unless we can assure potential and current staff that their work is appreciated by
Government and that their safety is paramount, nurses will be reluctant to go into areas
where they are most needed.
Once again we ask Health Departments to urgently look at all single nurse posts and
replace them with secure clinics with two or three nurses. This is vital if we are to
continue to provide the health care remote people need; health care that most
Australians take for granted.