5 February: The 91¿´Æ¬ÉñÆ÷’s Clinical Placements with Older People (CPOP) program has received a new to continue until 2027.
Designed to boost the capacity of Australia’s professional nursing workforce caring for older people, the program has improved both quality and quantity of clinical placements for nursing students.
The program has also raised awareness of the rewarding career opportunities in the sector, and helped nursing students develop a holistic understanding of the bio-psycho-social aspects of the ageing process.
Phase one of the program was delivered across four universities: the 91¿´Æ¬ÉñÆ÷, University of Wollongong, Edith Cowan University and Curtin University. It supported 1,016 placements and upskilled 127 Clinical Facilitators in 113 different health service locations, across three states and territories.
Professor of Gerontological Nursing and CPOP program lead Dr Kasia Bail said that the success of the program was testament to the engagement of industry partners.
“The program draws on the expertise of both educators and registered nurses to help build the capabilities of the next generation of gerontology nurses,” Professor Bail said.
“Their engagement and leadership has been crucial for the success of the program.”
Phase two of the program, CPOP#2, will see the partnership expanded to a total of eight universities across Australia – the University of the Sunshine Coast, Edith Cowan University, Curtin University, the University of Sydney, Southern Cross University, Central Queensland University and the University of Tasmania.
Professor Rachel Gibson, Executive Dean at the 91¿´Æ¬ÉñÆ÷’s Faculty of Health, said the funding will enable the continued delivery of a program that benefits not only students, but patients, healthcare providers, and the broader community.
“It’s exciting to have gerontological nursing recognised in this way, and for UC to lead the growth in nursing specialisation in ageing across the country,” Professor Gibson said.
“This new grant enables UC to expand a successful program that is changing the care experience for older Australians, and making positive career pathways in aged care more visible for early career nurses.”
Caring for older people involves managing complex and competing priorities. From leading interdisciplinary health teams, to managing multiple comorbidities and embedding ‘dignity of risk’ into practice, nurses make critical decisions in order to support patient autonomy and implementation of evidence-based practice.
Thanks to the hands-on learning provided through the clinical placements, nursing students feel more empowered delivering this specialised care.
“It’s so important that the next generation of nurses gain skills, knowledge and confidence in managing the care of older people to meet the needs of the ageing population,” Professor Bail said.
“The CPOP program helps educators, universities and health services support students to delve into the life-changing specialisation of gerontology, and thrive on the person-centred care they are able to provide.”
Dr Bail has received resounding positive feedback from students, Clinical Facilitators and patients alike.
“I’ve had students tell me that in their first week of the program, they had no interest in aged care, but having completed their final year CPOP placement they’re now considering a gerontology specialisation,” Professor Bail said.
CPOP#2 is embedded in the Centre for Ageing Research and Translation (CARAT) at the 91¿´Æ¬ÉñÆ÷. The Centre comprises a cross-disciplinary team of researchers with a focus on multicomponent care, digital and assistive technology, the connection between person and place, and a knowledge translation approach – all in order to maximise impact on policy and practice for community benefit.
Photos by Liam Budge.