Discovery Program - Emergency Department

Completion of Program

At the completion of the Discovery Program, the participant will be able to practice safely and effectively in the emergency department. In particular , they will be able to:  

  • Competently assess and manage moderately ill patients with common emergency presentations such as chest pain, poisoning, diabetic emergencies, trauma and shortness of breath.
  • Obtain, measure and interpret arterial blood gases.
  • Recognize and respond appropriately to abnormal cardiac rhythms.
  • Demonstrate basic knowledge and ability to analyze 12 lead ECG's.
  • Understand and provide safe delivery of oxygen therapy.
  • Demonstrate foundational theoretical knowledge and clinical skills relating to Advanced Cardiac Life Support.
  • Competently insert intravenous cannula.
  • Understand the principles of intravenous fluid therapy and fluid resuscitation.
  • Assess paediatric patients. 

Applications for the Discovery Program

Sunshine Emergency Department

There are two rotations, February and July. Applications for the Program are received at any time. Applications (cover letter and resume) should be directed to:

Sallie Wood, Nurse Unit Manager
Email: sallie.wood@wh.org.au

Western Emergency Department

There are two rotations per year, February and August. Applications are received at any time, however the two main recruitment times are June/July and December/January. Applications (cover letter and resume) should be directed to:

 Leanne McGinn , Nurse Unit Manager
Email:  Leanne.mcginn@wh.org.au 

 

The Discovery Program is offered both at Western Hospital and Sunshine Hospital

The Discovery Program provides a 6-month supported clinical rotation to Registered Division 1 Year 2 or above nurses who have little or no experience in the specialty of emergency nursing. The aim of the program is to facilitate the participant's development of the foundational knowledge and clinical skills required to practice safely and effectively in the emergency department setting. Throughout the structured program specialist clinical educators and preceptors provide participating staff with clinical, educational and professional support.

Program Objectives

Objectives of the Discovery Program are to provide participants with the opportunity to; experience and practice emergency nursing in a supportive environment; develop foundational knowledge and skills in emergency nursing; obtain competency in essential emergency clinical skills such as assessment and management of emergency patients, intravenous cannulation, and intravenous opioid administration. In addition to two supernumerary orientation days to the emergency department, participants attend four educational study days that introduces them to key emergency nursing topics such as cardiac monitoring and ECG analysis, arterial blood gas interpretation, diabetic emergencies, advanced neurological assessment, toxicology and advanced principles of fluid management. Participants also attend an ECG course and an Advanced Life Support Workshop. Participants are supported in their development by the provision of learning resource manuals on advanced cardiac life support, advanced emergency patient assessment and emergency department orientation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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