The annual Passionate About Practice Symposium was held in Brisbane yesterday, uniting nurses and midwives from across the state to celebrate their professions. With take-away messages like: innovation means a lot of things, be part of positive change, and ‘purple cow’ – it’s no doubt the 2019 Passionate about Practice Symposium left guests inspired and motivated.
The action-packed day included opening remarks from Assistant Minister for State and Minister for Veteran’s Affairs Jennifer Howard and a video message from Lord Nigel Crisp, Co-Chair of the Nursing Now campaign. Lord Crisp reminded the audience of the power of nursing and midwifery in helping people to be healthy in their own way, and encouraged participation in the Nightingale Challenge 2020, which Queensland is set to be a part of.
Captain Jan Becker, CEO of Becker Helicopters Group was the keynote speaker for the morning session. As a qualified midwife, nurse, helicopter pilot and CEO, Jan had plenty to offer this year’s PAP guests, which she delivered in her own captivating and entertaining way. Captain Becker founded Midwife Vision to provide education, professional support and resources to midwives at the Amana Referral Hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Jan’s words around the need to support each other and be part of positive change clearly resonated with the crowd. Jan explained the ‘extra 15 per cent’ mentality by saying that it takes 85 per cent power to hover a helicopter and you’re not even going anywhere. She said people were like this by ‘just doing the job’. But in a helicopter, when you move from hovering to forward flight, the craft shudders, dips and then moves up. Applying that extra 15 per cent is hard and scary, but that’s where amazing change awaits.
Captain Becker also talked about being the ‘purple cow’ – which is to stand out, be different, and be the ‘go to’ person by being engaged and always putting your hand up to try something new. She reminded the nurses and midwives in attendance that they didn’t just ‘fall’ into this job, they worked and studied hard for a long time. “You are talented and courageous, connect to that again and to each other.”
PICTURED ABOVE (L-R): Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer Shelley Nowlan with Captain Jan Becker.
Guests then split into nursing and midwifery concurrent sessions. Dr Jocelyn Toohill, Director of Midwifery for the Office of the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer, said the inclusion of profession-specific presentations maximised the learning potential. “Nursing and midwifery are two distinct professions, recognised as separate under law, so the concurrent sessions meant everyone could takeaway something specific to their role, but to also learn and be inspired by what’s happening generally in healthcare.” She led the session identifying the overwhelming evidence for midwifery continuity of carer and how we need to ensure support for all midwives, no matter what model of care, "so we can fulfil our roles as 'Defenders of women’s rights' which is the International Confederation of Midwives theme for 2019."
The concurrent sessions included presentations from Hospital and Health Services in the themes of innovation and technology, professional development, and consumer-led initiatives. Winner of OCNMO’s Midwifery Choice Award went to Lynette Zeller from Mackay Hospital and Health Service who talked about their use of the CEQ, OCNMO statewide maternity models of care decision making framework.
Loanna Kama brought on tears for many in the audience with her student placement experience in Papua New Guinea with James Cook University. Loanna found the basic housing and the lack of availability of quality health and education services confronting but left inspired and said it was “the start of an amazing career as a registered nurse caring for vulnerable communities.” Loanna’s presentation won the People’s Choice Award, sponsored by the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses (ACMHN).
PICTURED ABOVE (L-R): Shelley presents a certificate to Loanna Kama for winning the People's Choice Award.
Kylie Lindsay from the Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service put on her recruitment hat by showcasing the endless opportunities with remote nursing based on her experience working on Thursday Island. In the past few years the hospital has grown to around 98 per cent permanent staffing. And despite the resident crocodile at the helipad, Kylie said it was rewarding nursing: “unique, interesting and diverse.” Her presentation earned a nod from OCNMO, taking out the Nursing Choice Award, sponsored by the Australian College of Nursing (ACN).
PICTURED ABOVE (L-R): Representative from the ACN and Shelley Nowlan present Kylie with her certificate.
Our very own Jan Phillips, Executive Director Centre for Leadership Excellence, talked about the importance of culture in teams and organisations. Jan's insight was so fascinating, we'll soon post a dedicated article on it - so stay tuned!
To see out the day, the winners of the inaugural Passionate about Practice Symposium Photo Competition were announced. With almost 2,000 votes received throughout the two weeks of voting on Facebook, the results were met with much excitement. Click here to find out who won.
Shelley Nowlan, Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer said “thanks to everyone who voted in the competition and those who joined us for #PAP2019. We hope you feel inspired and motivated to continue delivering high quality care like you do every day (and night!), and that we’ll see you all again next year.” If you have any questions about the Passionate About Practice Symposium event or the photo competition, please email chiefnurse-office@health.qld.gov.au.
To see what else is on, view our event calendar. Or for other learning and development opportunities, click here. Read more CEQ news or to keep up to date with other news from Clinical Excellence Queensland you can subscribe to our mailing list or follow us on Twitter or Facebook.
