The Australian College of Nursing (ACN) is committed to working with the Government to bolster the aged care nursing workforce and strongly back their efforts to provide training and support for overseas-trained nurses to live and work in Australia to supplement the workforce to meet growing demand.
ACN CEO, Adjunct Professor Kylie Ward FACN, said today that the College's position was misrepresented in an article in The Australian newspaper.
Adjunct Professor Ward said that there has been no greater advocate and champion for skilled migration for nurses than the Australian College of Nursing.
"As CEO, I have led the College's long-time efforts to attract, retain and support overseas nurses to come here and stay to provide quality care where it is needed most – often in rural and remote communities," Adjunct Professor Ward said.
"ACN has for many years provided training and bridging courses and other support for overseas nurses.
"Just last week I had a meeting with the office of Immigration Minister Andrew Giles to offer support to help facilitate more overseas nurses more quickly into Australia, especially to help targets for 24/7 registered nurses in aged care.
"The report in The Australian today misrepresents the work the College is doing with the Government to deliver on the Royal Commission's recommendations for aged care.
"We do, however, oppose any moves to force overseas nurses to join a union to get a job.
"We have been assured that compulsory union membership for nurses is not on the table.
"ACN said that workplace security, safety, and rewarding working conditions must be priorities for all nurses.
"ACN has always worked collaboratively with all nursing unions to ensure nurses receive fair and equitable pay and conditions to support workplace safety and the promotion of nursing excellence that is delivered throughout Australia every day in every community.
"We will work with the Government to recruit, train, retain, and respect nurses to increase the nursing workforce across all areas of the health system.
"For many of the health challenges facing the Federal and State and Territory Governments, nurses are the solution," Adjunct Professor Ward said.
