The lack of workforce planning has hampered the ‘return’ of the enrolled nurse, says EN leader Robyn Hewlett.
Hewlett, chair of NZNO’s enrolled nurse section, said she was frustrated at the low employment rate of new graduate ENs and points to the lack of a workforce plan for the next generation of enrolled nurses as a major reason.
“Planning should have commenced back in 2009/2010 when the new enrolled nurse broadened scope of practice and training was announced, said Hewlett.
She said the EN section approached the chief nurses office in the middle of the year about the lack of a EN workforce plan, which had led to the current working party finalising an EN Fact Sheet.
“It’s purpose is to support the improved use of the enrolled nurse workforce across all health care settings and improve understanding of the enrolled nurse scope of practice and the education programme that prepares enrolled nurses for their role.”
Hewlett said it also met in 2011 with Health Workforce New Zealand regarding a new graduate orientation programme for ENs and funding for post-registration education, but to date, had had no response.
She said the section had also drawn up its own workforce paper with 19 recommendations for research, planning, and development of the enrolled nurse workforce and work was now underway on a generic position description for ENs and an education position statement.
(Further coverage on EN issue, including strong Australian demand for ENs, will be featured in our December print edition).
