Model of Practice for Contemporary Aged Care

The implementation of the Model of Practice for Contemporary Aged Care has led to positive outcomes for residents in terms of continuity of care and the building of trust between families, residents and nurses as a result of acknowledging the full role of aged care registered nurses at Peter Cosgrove House.

The Model of Practice has provided Peter Cosgrove House with.

• a stabilised professional nursing workforce
• an increased staff satisfaction
• an enhanced quality of resident care
• a foundation for recruitment and retention of nursing and care staff within the human resource management approach

A combined nursing and management program differentiates the role of registered nurses working in aged care environments versus nursing practice at acute hospital environments.

The key roles of registered nurses in residential aged care are as clinical experts, general managers, and regulatory compliance leaders - placing them at the core of every successful aged care organisation.

Nursing roles in aged care homes are non-clinical in nature.  For instance gerontology, palliative care and mental heath are some of the key disciplines required to provide quality of care to residents.

The Model of Practice was implemented in late 2005 and has encouraged nurses to bring forth their innovative ideas in ways that enables these ideas to be investigated properly and gain management support.