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Practice Nurse

Practice nurses provide health assessments, treatment, care and information for patients.

Tasks & duties

Practice nurses may do some or all of the following:

assess peoples' health and carry out tests
plan and carry out health care for clients
provide advice and consultation in person and over the telephone
initiate first aid and emergency treatment
administer injections and immunisations
promote and teach health maintenance, and prevention of accidents and illness to clients
educate and provide information about health conditions such as asthma, diabetes and wound care management
prepare and assist with special procedures and minor surgery
take cervical smear tests or specialise in another area
set up screening programmes or clinics in conjunction with businesses or community agencies
provide ongoing screening programmes and clinics for clients
liaise with other health professionals within the general practice team and externally
provide counselling and support to help people make healthy lifestyle choices
provide a recall service reminding clients that they are due for an immunisation or smear test
keep records of clients and nursing services
order supplies and check and maintain equipment
act on behalf of clients as an advocate
participate in quality improvement activities such as carrying out audits of clinical practice, managing infection control, and participating in risk management groups that deal with patient complaints

Specialisations

Practice nurses may specialise in a particular area of health, including mental health, women's health, wound care, child health, aged care, or diabetes and asthma education.

Skills & knowledge

Practice nurses need to have:

excellent nursing skills and up-to-date knowledge of different nursing practices
knowledge of how the human body works
knowledge of different diseases and illnesses
knowledge of medicines and treatments, and the effect these have on patients
an understanding of nursing law and legislation
communication skills, including good listening skills
excellent time management and organisational skills
decision-making skills
problem-solving ability
observational and analytical skills
writing skills
computer skills

Entry requirements

To become a practice nurse you need to complete a Bachelor of Nursing. You also need to be registered with the Nursing Council of New Zealand, and have a current Annual Practising Certificate.

Practice nurses are also required to have a current cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certificate, and a certificate of competence in vaccinations or cervical screening if they are specialising in these areas.

Secondary education

At least four years of secondary education is required to enter tertiary training, although five years is preferred. Useful subjects include English, maths, chemistry and biology.

Training on the job

Practice nurses undertake regular professional development by attending workshops and courses to remain up to date with new developments in nursing practice and health care. Their professional development may also include specialising in an area such as asthma or diabetes.