An Aboriginal nurse-led working model for success in graduating Indigenous Australian nurses

Abstract

Australia needs more Indigenous nurses. This is widely recognised in both academic literature and government policy. In 2012, only 0.8 percent of the Australian nursing workforce was Indigenous (AIHW, 2012). In spite of the clear need, there is little discussion about how to successfully recruit, retain and graduate Indigenous nursing students. This paper describes a successful programme being implemented at the University of Southern Queensland (USQ). Between 2000 and 2012, USQ graduated 80 Indigenous nurses and midwives, at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. In this paper, the authors outline the journey they undertook to develop the successful programme at USQ: The Indigenous nursing support model: Helping hands. They argue that four elements underpin success for Indigenous nursing students: The availability of Indigenous academics, Indigenous health content in the nursing curriculum, Indigenous-specific recruitment materials, and individual mentoring and nurturing of Indigenous students.

Promoting Indigenous nursing student success in post-secondary education: A phenomenological study

“…[2] Many Indigenous students have experienced racism and are experiencing unique social pressures and barriers. [3,11] Given that all three researchers are of European descent, Indigenous experiences and perceptions are not part of our lived experience. Not having lived these experiences we believe that it is particularly important to build relationships to promote a level of instructor-student trust; without this, open dialogue is not possible.…”

“…They often face barriers that simply do not exist for non-Indigenous students. [3] Forty-nine per cent of Indigenous students complete postsecondary education compared to 65 per cent of non-Indigenous students. [4] This is in part, due to the fact that attrition rates are higher for indigenous students.…”

Choosing a nursing career: Building an indigenous nursing workforce

“…There are limited studies that have investigated Indigenous representation in the Australian nursing workforce despite the profession recognising that this group are necessary if the needs of Indigenous Australians are to be met. [16,17,19] Indigenous people who have successfully achieved a higher level of education by becoming a nurse should be celebrated and promoted as role models for Indigenous people. [16] Opportunities to promote nursing as a career option and participate in decision making processes that affect Indigenous people regarding health policy should be created and encouraged.…”

“…[16,17,19] Indigenous people who have successfully achieved a higher level of education by becoming a nurse should be celebrated and promoted as role models for Indigenous people. [16] Opportunities to promote nursing as a career option and participate in decision making processes that affect Indigenous people regarding health policy should be created and encouraged. [19] Building and growing an Indigenous nursing workforce will support the "Closing the Gap" initiative yet without significant efforts to achieve this, the initiative will continue to struggle in achieving its outcomes.…”

“…Even with these programs in place, successful completion rates of Indigenous people undertaking tertiary education remain low. [16] West et al [4] recommended ways to move forward in addressing these issues require a combined approach. Some of the suggested strategies include incorporating an Indigenous pedagogy within undergraduate nursing programs to educate non Indigenous people about traditional culture and attitudes toward health systems which are not culturally sensitive.…”