Ophthalmic nursing standards framework established

The Practice Standards for Ophthalmic Nurses in Australia, launched over the weekend at AONA-Queensland’s 30th Conference in Brisbane, outlines what is expected of ophthalmic nurses within the eyecare syst. The chair of the AONANC, Ms Heather Machin, said the standards had been developed over the past 10 years and were designed to sit within the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia’s Registered Nurse Standards for Practice.“As we enter a period where there is increased need for nurse engagent and involvent in ophthalmic services, we as nurses need to understand our role, what is expected of us, and how we can support the wider eyecare sector to reach the collective national eyecare needs. The Framework provides that foundation,” she said.{{quote-A:R-W:400-I:2-Q:“We as nurses need to understand our role, what is expected of us, and how we can support the wider eyecare sector to reach the collective national eyecare needs.”-WHO:Heather Machin, AONANC}}“Our development team, spearhead by Queensland nurse Amanda Wylie, examined ophthalmic nursing frameworks from around the world and cross-matched th to other nursing sub-specialist professionals in Australia, prior to devising a practice framework that is relevant to nursing and the eyecare sector in Australia.”Discussions related to the framework and its implentation will take place at the Nursing Day Conference at this year’s RANZCO meeting on Novber 18 in Adelaide.The Standards – A brief:Domain 1: Thinks critically and analyses nursing practiceStandard 1: Acts to enhance the continual development of individual practice and that of the specialtyStandard 2: Advancing the specialist body of knowledge in Ophthalmic NursingDomain 2: Maintains the capability for practiceStandard 3: Donstrates and maintains specialist knowledge in ophthalmic nursingDomain 3: Engages in therapeutic and professional relationshipsStandard 4: Engages in legal and ethical nursing practiceStandard 5: Engages in health promotion and education activitiesDomain 4: Provision and co-ordination of careStandard 6: Manages patient’s ophthalmic health care.More reading: The Standards.