I'm feeling very relieved and excited:

I am so grateful my life is filled with love, passion, abundance and excitement;
I was so relieved that my exams are over for this semester, I had forgotten how you stress when you feel under pressure to perform in examinations... I do wonder the value of examinations.... for two hours I regurgitated information, not necessarily in a organised fashioned, everything I knew relating to the topic I just vomited it onto the paper, so much so that my hand was sore from all that writing.... you know we are just not use to that type of writing any more...why don't they move with the times....we should have computers....automatic spell check, legible writing.... I did think the faster I was writing to get the information down before my time was up...my writing was getting worse... and was thankful I was not marking these papers...now that would be a nightmare....the topics were broad and I should think hard not to be subjective when marking..... Well enough about that it is finished and forgotten until I get my results;

Marking is all done....and most of the students did well.....just amazing how much you can fit into a day.....

Tomorrow I am off to Tanzania...the spare bed is full of what should be going into my suitcase....with the uniforms....nice starch white tops...and navy blue three quarter pants....emmmmm..... aprons, gowns, gloves, etc etc etc....oh and all the books we are donating to the midwifery library.....I have been reading up on all sorts of exciting treatments.... and life in Tanzania.... bought my US dollars...not that there will be much time for any shopping....and got the first aide kit.

We are going on a Safari ...the middle weekend we are there.... I am waiting in anticipation of all that we will see and experience over the next two weeks... I am sure that I will experience many things... and be ever grateful for the wonderful country we live in.... Australia....watch this space for updates.... or the report when I get back....i guess it depends on several factors...internet....and time. take care until next time;


ref pic; http://trekkertime.com/index.php/Site/Tanzania

My feet are not touching the ground:

This is usually a busy time of year....semester finishing, marking, getting ready for Christmas etc, etc, etc; However for me this is a particularly busy time.... semester is finishing and I have my usual marking....thankfully I love this assessment so it is easier to mark and the students also enjoy it and usually do it well, this makes marking so much easier...and as a teacher it is rewarding to read so many good papers;

I am taking on a new challenge...GLOBAL HEALTH ALLIANCE next Saturday i leave with 20 students from 5 universities (4 students from my university) in an inaugural project to Tanzania...to broaden their healthcare skills, provide care to people in the developing world, and to expand their cultural awareness.
“The placements are unique in that it is the first time the five WA universities have collaborated, as part of the GHAWA program, in sending a combined student and supervisor cohort to a developing country,”

“The trip will expose students to a unique healthcare environment which will improve their ability to work in challenging settings and help them to adapt to new cultural scenarios.”

The student nurses will travel with expert clinicians and will commence placements at Hubert Kairuki Memorial Hospital and Amana Hospital in the Tanzanian former capital of Dar Es Salaam.

We will also travel to two rural community health centres, Masaki and Masangaya Health Centres, where the students will undertake supervised clinical practice.

We are hoping that the international placements will allow the students to develop skills and knowledge in dealing with transcultural healthcare issues.



I am so excited...but as you can imagine this has increased my work load... preparing for this trip has been interesting and I don't know how I am going to fit all the protective equipment in my suitcase, together with the text books I want to donate as well as some other essentials...so watch this space for how the trip goes....but that is next Saturday....before then...I should be studying instead of writing this blog...but its called a break....

I am sitting two exams next week...Tuesday and Thursday.... finish my marking... have a couple of meetings....did I leave anything out.... ah yes there is still the surprise to announce which I anticipate to be middle next week....see the family and get on the plane..I think I also have a performance review......its called effective time keeping: or insanity:

I return after two weeks have two days to get Board of Examiners and supplementary papers out and then go to Singapore for three days of intensive teaching.... for trimester three..and two days shopping of course...can't forget that.... home for several hours then off to Canberra for another meeting... no wonder my husband and family think I have too much on my plate... but you know I have done all the Christmas shopping the grandchildren have their presents... if I get time I will wrap them before I go :)..... I will be home for the 17th December.... YEAH: enough time to sort out the Christmas dinner:

My mantra is " I have enough time in the day to get all I need to do done"
ok back to cramming now......

New website for Nurses & Midwives to navigate: Changes for 2010

The year has began and for me it is going to be a very busy year with all the expected legislative changes affecting Nursing and Midwifery for Australia with National Registration being one of them.

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency Website:

This will be the website for updated information relating to National Registration for July 2010.

Here are some key points from Louise Morauta Project Director:for the full report see Australian Health Ministers’ Advisory Council
National Registration and Accreditation Implementation Project
PROJECT UPDATE DECEMBER 2009
The national law has now been passed in Queensland and adopted in New South Wales and Victoria. The adopting legislation has also been introduced but not yet passed in Tasmania, ACT, and NT. What is happening to WA? we have to wait until Parliament re commences for the New Year. The expectation is that the legislation will be passed in all jurisdictions in time for commencement day on 1 July 2010.

The boards commenced work with their first meeting on 20 September 2009.
Work commenced in November on the data migration project which transfers information from the existing boards to the new national boards.
The Agency announced Martin Fletcher as its inaugural CEO on 18 September 2009.
Martin commences on 21 December 2009.


Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia

From 1 July 2010 Nurses and Midwives across Australia will have to meet the same requirements to be registered and their registration will be recognised in all States and Territories. Wow I have been waiting for this for about 20 years... that's a long time for change to occur......these things move very slowly and this just proves it.

The Board was established under the Health Practitioner Regulation (administrative arrangements) Act, 2009. From 1 July 2010 the Board will operate with its full range of functions under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (the national law) where adopted in a jurisdiction.

Members of the inaugural Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia were appointed by the Australian Health Workforce Ministerial Council for a period of three years on 31 August 2009 and here they are if you don't already know.

Ms Gillie Anderson - Appointed as a community member
Ms Angela Brannelly - Appointed as a practitioner member (registered nurse and midwife) from the Northern Territory
Professor Elizabeth (Mary) Chiarella - Appointed as a practitioner member (registered nurse) from New South Wales
Ms Anne Copeland - Appointed as Chair and a practitioner member (registered nurse and midwife) from Queensland
Dr Lynette Cusack - Appointed as a practitioner member (registered nurse) from South Australia
Professor Denise Fassett - Appointed as a practitioner member (registered nurse) from Tasmania
Mrs Lynne Geri - Appointed as a practitioner member (enrolled nurse) from Victoria
Ms Louise Horgan - Appointed as a practitioner member (registered nurse) from Western Australia
Ms Mary Kirk - Appointed as a practitioner member (registered nurse and midwife) from the ACT
Dr Christine Murphy - Appointed as a community member
Ms Heather Sjoberg - Appointed as a community member
Ms Margaret Winn - Appointed as a community member

There are some familiar names here for me and I even know a few....don't know what that says about me....for that's enough information.... keep watching for more...

My year according to the horoscope: Leo

This year has started well.... a great clinical shift today lots to reflect on but will save that for another day.... however as I was browsing the Newspaper on my break this evening I pondered on my horoscope according to Tanya Obreza in the West Australian today...my star was split into three categories, soul purpose, overview and love and sex....it went something like this?

Soul Purpose for 2010: leadership;

After years of hard work...the planets are aligned and you are now happy...and they are planing big things for you;.. you are a 'go and get it kinda person' just as well as there are a number of projects on the horizon for you... you have leadership qualities and you will lead by example and be recognised for your work... the most interesting bit was the love and sex....Jupiter plans a year long stay in my sector of sexuality...whatever that means...but sounds exciting...not sure where I will get the time from though... Pluto sends a romantic tremble through the work place... these plants are all rather busy... some foreign involvement...oh I almost forgot the 'treat yourself to something naughty but nice' em wonder what that might be....any clues?
I did then go on to read Ian's and his was exciting too....
It was a pleasant tea break wondering how many other Leo's have read this horoscope and feel excited about the coming year....emm now how many Leo people would this apply too.... is it possible that they will all achieve this sort of year... maybe now I am being the sceptic.... it is all in good fun and if it encourages some enthusiasm then i am all for it... it made light reading for my break and I felt good....I was excited about the year before I read the stars but this confirms my thoughts..... its going to be a good year....






ref picture: http://www.vedicastroindia.com/pic/leo-sunsign.jpg