The Association’s professional team answer your questions about professional issues, your rights and responsibilities.

I am a midwife. How many CPD hours do I require to keep my registration?

Midwives must complete a minimum of 20 hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) per year, relevant to their context of practice. The 20 hours of CPD must be completed every year between 1 June and 31 May, for the practitioner to meet mandatory registration requirements. This requirement is in addition to CPD hours required as a registered nurse if you hold dual registration.

I am a nurse and I’m thinking about completing my midwifery degree. What would be my CPD requirements once I am dual registered?

All nurses and midwives must complete at least 20 hours of CPD every year between 1 June and 31 May, relevant to their context of practice for each registration they hold. For those registered as both a nurse and midwife, 20 hours of CPD is required for each registration. It should be noted there can be crossover of CPD if relevant to both professions. For example, a medication module could count towards both nursing and midwifery CPD hours and can be recorded under each registration.

I am an EN working in aged care. I have heard there is no funding for ENs in aged care anymore – is this true?

ENs make up a vital part of the clinical workforce and although minutes of care provided by ENs cannot currently be counted towards RN-specific care minutes, the direct care they provide to residents is included in the total care minutes. The federal government has asked providers to report separately on their EN care minutes. These minutes will be published on My Aged Care as part of the overall Star Rating from October 2023. This shows that they see the EN role as an important part of the aged care workforce.

I was stopped for a random breath test and found to be driving with a mid-range Prescribed Concentration of Alcohol. I must go to court in two weeks’ time. This isn’t related to my registration. How can the NSWNMA help me?

Under the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) Standards for Practice and Code of Conduct, your conduct in your personal life can impact your professional life and your registration. As a registered health practitioner, if you are charged, found guilty or convicted of a criminal offence, including a serious driving offence with a possible penalty of 12 months’ imprisonment, there are mandatory notification requirements to AHPRA within seven days. This is a very short timeframe at a stressful time. Following a review of your circumstances, our legal officers can assist you to meet your reporting obligations. In addition, they can also advise, assist and represent you through any disciplinary process that may follow, including any declaration you may be required to make at your registration renewal.

I am interested in being engaged in political rallies and activities – what do I need to consider?

When engaging in political activities, it is important to consider your obligations as an employee, and professionally as a nurse or a midwife. From an employee perspective, you must ensure you don’t breach any relevant workplace code of conduct (e.g. don’t wear your work uniform to a protest or rally, and don’t identify your workplace to the media). From a professional perspective, the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) professional standards outline the practice and behaviour expectations of all nurses and midwives (https:// www.nursingmidwiferyboard. gov.au/Codes-Guidelines- Statements/Professional- standards.aspx). These professional standards outline that nurses and midwives should promote health and wellbeing, and understand and apply the principles of public health. Nurses and midwives should also participate in health advocacy for community and population health in a way that addresses health inequality. Nurses and midwives must not participate in unlawful behaviour, and understand that unlawful behaviour may be viewed as unsatisfactory professional conduct or professional misconduct and have implications for their registration. Being politically active is often necessary in order for our voices to be heard, and our standards indicate that we should speak out when things aren’t right. Doing so in a professional manner strengthens our voice.