Nurturing Australia's Nursing Future: a ground breaking initiative for clinical facilitators

In an important development for Australia's healthcare sector, Network Nursing Agency (NNA) has been invited to advise a consortium of tertiary institutions, seeking to develop a formal qualification for clinical facilitators. This initiative promises to reshape the landscape of nursing education and workforce readiness across New South Wales.


Australia's commitment to delivering high-quality, equitable and universally accessible healthcare has long been a cornerstone of our nation's values. But, to maintain this level of healthcare excellence, a diverse range of healthcare professionals is required.


At the heart of our healthcare system lies the nursing and midwifery sector, constituting a remarkable 55 percent of the total healthcare workforce 1. However, against the backdrop of escalating healthcare demands, heightened by an ageing population, a report to national cabinet this year found "a severe shortage of nurses, will see Australia requiring an additional 46,000 registered nurses needed by 2026, including those required in aged care" 2.


Clinical facilitators play a vital role in preparing future nurses with the skills and resilience to address this gap and NNA is set to play a key part in recognising and valuing their contribution. Experienced nurses themselves, clinical facilitators work in educational institutions and healthcare settings to provide nursing students with hands-on training and guidance. They are role models, boosting self-assurance and arming students with skills to lessen stress and burnout when they transition to the workforce.


NNA has worked with universities in Sydney for more than a decade to develop an important partnership with their nursing programs. Central to this partnership is a commitment to establish a nationally recognised and transferable qualification for clinical facilitators. This move is not just a leap forward in standardising the training process but also a crucial step in elevating the mentorship quality for new nurses. By ensuring new entrants into the nursing profession are guided by highly qualified professionals, the quality of patient care and the overall health system's efficacy will significantly improve.


This initiative emerges against the backdrop of pressing challenges in Australia's nursing sector including escalating shortages, workforce burnout and the necessity for continuous education all underscoring the need for innovative solutions to grow the talent pool. The new qualification program proposed by the universities addresses these challenges head-on, offering a strategic approach to mentorship and training in nursing.


NNA's role in this collaborative effort highlights their decade-long dedication to nursing excellence. With a history of nurturing and supporting the nursing workforce, NNA's involvement in this initiative reflects their proactive stance in addressing the evolving needs of the healthcare sector. This partnership is a testament to their vision of empowering clinical facilitators with the tools and knowledge necessary to cultivate a resilient and skilled nursing workforce.


The benefits of this program extend beyond the immediate training of nurses. It promises enhanced career opportunities and professional development for clinical facilitators, fostering a more dynamic and competent nursing workforce. This initiative is particularly crucial in preparing nurses to meet the diverse healthcare needs of Australia’s population, including those in rural and remote areas.


The establishment of a formal qualification for clinical facilitators marks a significant stride in ensuring that the nursing profession in Australia remains vibrant, competent, and well-equipped to meet the challenges of modern healthcare.


By formalising the role of clinical facilitators through a national qualification, Australia takes a decisive step towards maintaining high-quality patient care and addressing the critical challenges facing its healthcare system. In doing so, NNA has provided guidance to its educational partners, paving the way for a future where the nursing profession continues to thrive and evolve, bolstered by well-trained, passionate, and skilled mentors.

1 The future of Australia’s nursing worforce:COVID-19 and burnout among nurses (K Mannix, University of Melbourne, 2021)


2Independent review of overseas health practitioner regulatory settings – Interim Report (R Kruk AO, 2023)


Network Nursing Agency

Established in 1997 in Sydney, Network Nursing Agency (NNA) has a well-earned excellent reputation for supplying reliable efficient high-quality nurses and medical staff to a wide range of clients.


We provide some of the busiest public and private hospitals and healthcare clinics in New South Wales with professional and outstanding Nurses and Midwives. We also place staff in nursing homes, residential homes, mental health facilities, prison services and learning disability environments though out greater Sydney.


NNA is part of the PeopleIN family of brands. PeopleIN is largest ASX-listed talent solutions business connecting more than 5,000 people with work every week and operating 25 brands across three key verticals: Healthcare & Community, Professional Services, and Industrial & Specialist Services.

Recent posts

Recovering with Care: Marc’s Journey Through the Recover At Work Program

By Craig Thomas • November 13, 2024
GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND - JOEL KASS

Talent Spotlight
Bianca Donovan

October 16, 2024
“It was just going to be a little job for a couple of months, when I first came back from overseas”. 14 years ago Karlee Berg began her career with Tribe Workforce Solutions as an Administration Assistant. Today, after performing every role in between (and often more than one at once!), she’s now the General Manager. “I trained as a beauty therapist and I'd been working overseas, as the day spa manager on cruise ships. It’s a hectic lifestyle and I was pretty burnt out when I got home and needed a break,” Karlee said. “I think I'd only been back in the country for a month and a friend, who was working with AWX (another of PeopleIN’s brands), said the directors had started this new business, focused on the hospitality sector. They didn’t have admin or account staff, just a general manager, and people from AWX were just jumping in to help where they could.

“Be Memorable” Award Winner: Sophie Yang

October 16, 2024
Five years after commencing his recruitment career with PeopleIN’s labour solutions business AWX, today Johan Thomas is an Account Manager with an enviable record of success. From international student, to junior recruiter, to today being an essential part of AWX’s Melbourne team, Johan says it’s the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of others which has motivated his professional growth. "The most enjoyable part of my job is helping people” Johan said.

3IN3 with Ian Healy

October 13, 2024
Ian HealyAustralian cricket legend​“Heals” played 119 Test matches for Australia and is one of our greatest ever wicketkeepers. We sat down to ask him about being part of an extraordinarily high performing team and how he uses what he learned behind the stumps in his post playing career.Watch it here

3IN3 with Amy Chapman

October 13, 2024
Amy Chapman

3IN3 with Vu Tran

October 13, 2024
Vu TranFounder of Go1 and

3IN3 with Matt Galton

October 13, 2024
Matt Galton DSC Former Director General, Capital Facilities and Infrastructure for Defence In his former role Matt was responsible for a multi-billion dollar budget and the team who managed Defence infrastructure. We challenged him to answer three questions about managing large numbers of people, large budgets and engaging contractors to deliver a broad variety of projects. Watch it here

Seeds planted early for Sally’s career

October 10, 2024
Landcare Australia’s Project Hindmarsh in rural Victoria has been a labour of love for many but, for one member of our Timberwolf Planting team, it’s literally been a lifelong commitment.Last week a revegetation project which began nearly 30 years ago was completed, with the final stage of a largely volunteer based project delivered by PeopleIN’s contract tree planting business. And, for Regional Manager for Victoria, Sally Werner, it was a deeply personal experience.In 1996, Project Hindmarsh

3IN3 with Joel Fitzgibbon

October 10, 2024
Joel FitzgibbonFormer Minister for Defence and AUKUS Forum ChairHon. Joel Fitzgibbon GAICD joined us to answer three questions about relationship building in the Indo-Pacific, recruitment to support the growth of defence infrastructure in northern Australia and the opportunities presented by the AUKUS Agreement to Australian business.Watch it here

3IN3 with David Hanham

October 10, 2024
David HanhamCEO of the Queensland RedsThis year one third of the Queensland Rugby Union (Queensland Reds) Super Rugby squad have Pacific Island heritage.We invited Reds CEO David Hanham to take on our 3IN3 challenge and answer three questions about the value and the joy PI players bring to organisations, clubs and communities across the country.Watch it here

3in3 with Simon Black

October 9, 2024
Simon BlackBrownlow MedallistIn this 3IN3 Brisbane Lions triple premiership player and 2002 Brownlow Medallist Simon Black describes how being a key part of a hugely successful sporting franchise equipped him with the skills and experience to achieve post playing success as a businessman and investor.Watch it here

3IN3 wth Liz Savage

October 9, 2024
Liz Savage - PeopleIN Non-Executive Director​Liz is a highly experienced Company Director who had a 20-year executive career in the airline industry in Australia and Europe.Her insights highlight the importance of precise alignment to customer needs and the invaluable intelligence leaders gain “walking the floor” with frontline teams.
Show More
Share by: