Older people across South Eastern NSW will benefit from enhanced care in general practice after seven local practice nurses completed specialist training in gerontological nursing through a fully funded program supported by COORDINARE – South Eastern NSW PHN. 

The Gerontological Nursing Competencies (GNC) program provides registered nurses with advanced skills, structured mentoring and nationally recognised competencies to better support older people living with complex and chronic health conditions, helping them remain healthy, independent and connected to their community for longer. 

“Supporting the professional development of practice nurses is a vital step in strengthening primary care and improving outcomes for older people,” said Prudence Buist, CEO of COORDINARE-South Eastern NSW PHN. 

“Providing registered nurses with mentorship, skills, and knowledge to better support older people in the community, helps reduce the need for more complex services and delay early entry into residential aged care,” added Ms Buist. 

Mellissa Jackson, a registered nurse based in the Shoalhaven said completing the Gerontological Nursing Competencies (GNC) program through the University of Sunshine Coast has significantly strengthened her practice as a Registered Nurse working in a rural general practice.  

“In our community, many older people live with multiple chronic conditions, increasing frailty, limited access to specialist services and the challenges that come with ageing in rural areas. The GNC program has provided me with the knowledge, confidence and clinical skills to better support these patients within the primary care setting through evidence-based, person-centred care," said Ms Jackson. 

"The greatest change in my practice has been the way I assess and approach the care of older adults. Rather than focusing solely on treating medical conditions, I now consider the whole person, including their physical health, cognitive function, emotional wellbeing, social supports, independence and personal goals.  

"This holistic approach has enabled me to identify risks earlier, facilitate timely GP intervention, and work collaboratively with patients, their families and the wider multidisciplinary team to help older people remain healthy and independent within their own homes for as long as possible," she said. 

Ms Jackson said the program had strengthened her ability to recognise early signs of frailty, cognitive decline and functional deterioration, allowing earlier intervention and more proactive management for older patients with complex health needs. 

"Working in a rural GP clinic often means practice nurses play a broad and vital role in coordinating care and supporting patients who may have limited access to specialist services. Since completing the GNC program, I have become a stronger advocate for my older patients by ensuring their preferences, dignity and goals remain central to every care plan. 

"Overall, the GNC program has transformed my approach to caring for older adults. It has increased my confidence, expanded my clinical capability and reinforced the value of person-centred, preventative care within rural general practice,” said Ms Jackson. 

Professor Victoria Traynor, Director of the GNC Programme, said the program is unique in that it provides opportunities for registered nurses to undertake work-based learning with support from a mentor. 

"This initiative demonstrates that the Gerontological Nursing Competencies are relevant for practice nurses and the outcomes will be used to improve the health and wellbeing of older people in the local practices where upskilled practice nurses work," added Professor Traynor. 

The GNC Aged Care Transition to Practice (ACTTP) program was funded by COORDINARE and delivered by the University of the Sunshine Coast.