Nurses are best equipped to lead strategies managing catastrophic events because of their real-time, hands-on experience of dealing with the challenging unfolding situations present.

A new report from Health Professionals Bank and the Australian College of Nursing has put forward five clear recommendations to ensure this role can be greater acknowledged and optimised to improve health outcomes for all Australians during disasters.

“Nurses have just shown again how amazingly resilient, resourceful and adaptable we are”, said Jodie Bailey, a Senior Practice Nurse, in an interview with HealthTimes.

“So, we just keep stepping up, whether it be the pandemic or through natural disasters, it’s been one thing after another and nurses have continually risen to the challenges.”

“We say to ourselves, ‘this is what we’re dealing with now – okay, so how do we do this and how do we make this work for our patients and our community?’”

When it comes to what makes nurses so valuable during a crisis, Jodie feels it’s a combination of their training and the inherent qualities that all nurses share.

“It is a profession, but it's also become a way of life.”

“I've been a registered nurse now for longer than I care to imagine, but you don't stop being a nurse. It's not something you can step into or out of. You’re called to it, and it's always part of who you are. You're always that carer or that person looking out for others.

“You're not just concerned with the process or a disease, you’re concerned with the person and who they are, and maybe that's what makes us so adaptable.

When Ms Bailey has had to step up during unfolding crises, she says that autopilot plays one part of the reaction process. 

“It's also about trying to stay one step ahead of it all, which has been difficult, given in the past three years we've had major bush fires, and now three floods.”

“For me, I’m just constantly thinking, ‘okay, let's hope for the best but what do I need to do to prepare for the worst?’”

“You've got contingency plans in your head, and I remember back at the start of 2020 when the first cases of COVID-19 were being reported, I said to my colleague, ‘I'm not sure about this - I think this could get worse’”.

“I knew we needed to make sure we were prepared with PPE. We needed to be ahead of it.”

Looking more broadly, Ms Bailey feels that there are steps that can be taken to optimise the involvement of nurses strategically in crisis management and planning.

The newly released report recommends:

• That nurses should be proportionately involved in the decision-making process of governments at all levels when they are discussing health-related crisis prevention and management, response taskforces, and strategic workforce planning.
• That nurses be offered appropriate additional training when moving from one specialisation to another to meet a current need.
• That nurses be able to bulk bill their services via Medicare provider numbers and an expanded Medicare Benefit Scheme, to allow them to provide accessible care to marginalised, disadvantaged, geographically isolated and vulnerable populations.
• That nurse employment conditions be improved by
• Ensuring all nurses are entitled to annual and personal leave
• Offering additional paid leave to nurses who have experienced disruptive events, such as bushfires, storm damage and floods, as well as paid leave for domestic and family violence support
• Bringing nurse pay in line with other risk-exposed first responders, such as police, paramedics and military
• Creating supportive workplaces that respect gender equity, diversity and flexibility
• Creating a reserve workforce of nurses at all levels and areas of practice, from students and new graduates, to advanced practice nurses and those who have retired or taken a break, and who are willing and able to re-enter the profession.
• That extra funding be allocated to ensure paid, regular clinical supervision for every nurse, and for the Australian College of Nursing to develop and deliver leadership and management training for nurses.

CEO of the Australian College of Nursing Adjunct Professor Kylie Ward FACN said “Australia’s nurses have been the backbone of the frontline in recent years. They’re highly trained and experienced in providing leadership during disasters. We’re asking all Government to recognise their dedication and experience”.

Health Professionals Bank said the recommendations would go towards improving Australia’s future crisis response by ensuring the on-the-ground perspective of Australia’s largest health workforce are leading influences in decisions impacting the health of those most in need.

“Nurses have always been an invaluable part of our communities, but the natural disasters and pandemic over the last three years have shown just how courageous nurses are in stepping up to the challenges of caring for others and fulfilling their civic duties.

“Respecting the expertise and dedication of nurses requires more than words, it demands action that incorporates the nurse's expertise in decision-making and leadership roles,” said Steve James, CEO, Teachers Mutual Bank Limited – the corporate entity for Health Professionals Bank.

Ms Bailey said that by involving nurses in these roles, Australia would be better prepared for future crises.

“I really believe that nurses have a better idea of the broader picture than some other professions do. We are trusted. We're incredibly valued by our patients. We are integral parts of our community, whether we work in the hospital system or not.”

“We are part of this world and we see what's happening at the grass roots. You're just chatting with your patients and you're getting a feel for what’s happening on the ground.”

“We have a remarkable privilege of being able to hear our patients and then to share that information with others and promote that for our community.”