Professional Regulation in Nursing & Midwifery

Study Notes

Nurses and midwives require specific and particular skills, higher education, formal qualifications, and are required to undergo ongoing education and training.
The scope of practice for nurses and midwives is overseen by regulatory boards specific to their profession, such as the Nursing & Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).

The Australian health system has both regulated and unregulated health professionals.
Regulated professionals require registration and adherence to specific standards and guidelines.

Professional regulation ensures public safety and maintains the integrity of the healthcare system.
The National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS) regulates health professionals and promotes public protection.
The scheme is implemented through the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Act (2009).

Patient safety is prioritized.
Ongoing development of healthcare workers is encouraged.
The scheme promotes consistency and mobility of qualified professionals across Australia.
Collaboration between different healthcare bodies is essential.
Efficiency is promoted in the regulation of healthcare professionals.

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) is responsible for implementing the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme.
The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) provides standards, guidelines, and supports the registration of nurses, midwives, and nursing/midwifery students.
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) accredits and sets standards for nursing and midwifery education and training.

AHPRA works collaboratively with 15 National Health Practitioner Boards, including the NMBA, to oversee the implementation of the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme.
Registration with the relevant National Board is mandatory for anyone working with a protected title under the National Law.
AHPRA focuses on establishing common registration standards, managing complaints, and maintaining the integrity of the registration process.

National Boards, like the NMBA, are responsible for protecting the public, registering practitioners and students, and setting the standards that all registered health practitioners must meet.

Registration standards ensure the competency and ethical practice of nurses and midwives.

The NMBA works in partnership with AHPRA.
The NMBA is responsible for regulating Australian nurses, midwives, and nursing/midwifery students to safeguard the public.
The NMBA handles notifications, complaints, investigations, disciplinary hearings, and assesses internationally trained nurses and midwives.
The NMBA approves accreditation standards developed by ANMAC.

This is a reference to data about nursing and midwifery practice in that specific year, more information would be needed to understand its significance.

ANMAC establishes high-quality standards for nursing and midwifery education, training, and assessment.
ANMAC is an independent accrediting authority that develops, reviews, and provides advice on accreditation and skilled migration for nurses and midwives.
ANMAC collaborates with national and international professional organizations to ensure adherence to standards of education.

Professional standards define the practice and behavior expected of nurses and midwives.
The primary professional standards include:
- Codes of Conduct
- Standards for Practice
- Codes of Ethics

The Code of Conduct is applicable to all registered nurses and midwives in all practice settings.
The Code of Conduct is based on evidence-based practices and is meant to guide the ethics and professional behavior of registered nurses and midwives.

Standards of Practice provide clear guidelines for nurses and midwives in their daily duties.
Adherence to the Standards of Practice ensures safe and effective nursing and midwifery care.

The Code of Ethics for Nurses outlines the moral and ethical principles that guide nursing practice.

The Code of Ethics for Midwives outlines ethical principles and standards for the practice of midwifery.

Section 5 of the National Law (2009) defines situations where practice falls below expected standards and can result in disciplinary action.
These situations include:
- Professional misconduct
- Unprofessional conduct
- Unsatisfactory professional performance

Anyone can make a voluntary notification (complaint or concern) about a registered health practitioner.
Registered health practitioners, employers, and education providers are legally mandated to report 'notifiable conduct'.
Notifiable conduct includes situations where a healthcare professional poses a significant risk to public safety due to factors such as:
- Practicing while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs.
- Engaging in sexual misconduct during practice.
- Demonstrating an impairment that risks public safety.
- Practicing in a way that significantly deviates from accepted professional standards.
Complaints and notifications about nurses and midwives are processed through the NMBA.