DGD12-053
Policy
Nursing and Midwifery Re-Entry (Refresher) Programs
Policy Statement
The ACT Government Health Directorate (the Health Directorate) provides nursing and
midwifery re-entry programs for Registered Nurses and Midwives of the Australian Capital
Territory (ACT) and region to return to nursing or midwifery practice after an absence from
practice of up to ten years.
These programs are accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) and
are designed to facilitate the return to work of suitably qualified nurses and midwives into
the workforce of the Health Directorate.
Purpose
This policy and its standard operating procedure (SOP) outlines the processes of application,
acceptance, program requirements, clinical placement, further employment,
implementation and evaluation of the Re-entry (refresher) programs across the Health
Directorate, in line with the stated goals of the Health Directorate as a patient and family
centred care organisation and in accordance with the National Registration Scheme,
effective from 1 July 2010. (Refer to Standing Operating Procedure - Nursing and Midwifery
Re-entry (refresher) Program).
Scope
This policy applies to all:
 Managers and staff of the clinical environment that facilitate learning opportunities
for the participants of the re-entry( refresher) programs
 Clinical Nurse Consultants (CNCs) and staff of the clinical environment that facilitate
learning opportunities for the participants of the re-entry programs
 Nurses and Midwives participating in the re-entry programs and
 Re-entry Program Coordinator(s).
Development and Review of Program content
 All programs have been developed by Nursing and Midwifery educators from
the Health Directorate, Staff Development Unit (SDU). Program content was
reviewed by experts from nursing, midwifery and other professionals on
topics related to their expertise.
Doc Number
DGD12-053
Version
1.1
Issued
Oct 2012
Review Date
Oct 2015
Area Responsible
PSSB
Page
1 of 4
DGD12-053
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The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) accredits all programs
via the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council.
Program content for each program is reviewed annually and reports are sent
to the NMBA, as per terms of the accreditation.
Evaluation recommendations are incorporated into the programs annually.
Stakeholder meetings with representatives from across the Health
Directorate and ACT region, occur twice yearly. At the stakeholders meetings
curriculum changes are endorsed and program outcomes are discussed to
ensure that the program is meeting organisational needs.
Evaluation
Outcome Measures
 100% of eligible candidates for the re –entry programs are given the opportunity to
participate.
 80% of successful participants completing a re-entry program are offered
employment with the Health Directorate.
Method
 Twice yearly stakeholder meetings with reports and feedback.
 Participant evaluation
 Work area evaluation
 Data presented in the Health Directorate Annual report.
Related Legislation and Policies
Legislation
Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (ACT) Act 2010
http://www.legislation.act.gov.au
Health Professional Act 2004
http://www.legislation.act.gov.au
Public Sector Management Act 1994
http://www.legislation.act.gov.au
Standards
Australian Nursing and Midwifery Competency Standards
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia
http://www.nursingandmidwiferyboardaustralia.gov.au/
Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council Standards
http://www.anmac.org.au/
Doc Number
DGD12-053
Version
1.1
Issued
Oct 2012
Review Date
Oct 2015
Area Responsible
PSSB
Page
2 of 4
DGD12-053
Definition of Terms
Registered / Enrolled Nurses / Registered Midwives: are persons who have
completed an educational program of nursing or midwifery education or training in
an institution that is recognised by the NMBA for the purpose of registration.
Registration standards: define the requirements that applicants, registrants or
students need to meet to be registered and are determined by the NMBA.
Student Deed: an agreement between Health Directorate and an individual who has sought
the co-operation of the Health Directorate in providing access to facilities and clients of the
Health Directorate for the purpose of providing the Trainee with opportunities to enable him
or her to obtain practical clinical experience to obtain or maintain registration in Australia, or
to update existing qualifications.
Student Registration: nurses whose registration has lapsed may be eligible for
student status by the NMBA, allowing them to enrol and complete a re-entry
program conducted by an accredited provider such as the Health Directorate, SDU.
In these circumstances nurses will have had their eligibility assessed by the NMBA.
The Re-entry Programs are the Health Directorate programs, accredited with NMBA
and managed by the SDU of Health Directorate. There are 3 separate re-entry
programs:
 Registered Nurse Re-entry(refresher) Program
 Enrolled Nurse Refresher Program
 Midwifery Re-entry (refresher) Program.
The re-entry programs include learning packages and/or modules and a 12 week
clinical placement including orientation to the hosting health service. The
participants of the programs are assessed against the Australian Nursing and
Midwifery Council (ANMC) Competencies Standards for Nurses and Midwives in their
scope of practice.
References
Australian Nursing and Midwifery Competency Standards
http://www.anmac.org.au/
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA)
http://www.nursingandmidwiferyboard.gov.au
Doc Number
DGD12-053
Version
1.1
Issued
Oct 2012
Review Date
Oct 2015
Area Responsible
PSSB
Page
3 of 4
DGD12-053
Associated SOPs
SOP - Nursing and Midwifery Re-entry (refresher) Programs
Disclaimer: This document has been developed by Health Directorate, People, Strategy and Service Branch
specifically for its own use. Use of this document and any reliance on the information contained therein by any
third party is at his or her own risk and Health Directorate assumes no responsibility whatsoever.
Doc Number
DGD12-053
Version
1.1
Issued
Oct 2012
Review Date
Oct 2015
Area Responsible
PSSB
Page
4 of 4