The changing face of nurses in Australian general practice.

OBJECTIVE To describe the workforce characteristics and current responsibilities of nurses working in Australian general practice settings. DESIGN Survey research combining qualitative and quantitative data collected through telephone interview. SUBJECTS 222 enrolled (RN Division 2 in Victoria) and registered nurses (RN Division 1 in Victoria) working in general practice in rural and urban areas of Australia. RESULTS General practice nurses in Australia are likely to be RNs (84.7%) who work on a part-time basis (75.3%) in a medium to large practice (93.7%). Often the nurse has worked less than five full time equivalent years (52.3%) in a general practice environment and is likely to work in a practice where at least one other nurse works (64.4%). The nurse is likely to have some post-basic formal education (65.9%), and to have participated in professional development in the past two years (94.9%). The nurse performs a diverse range of activities within the general practice. No substantial differences were found in the workforce characteristics or role of urban and rural general practice nurses. CONCLUSION It appears that nurses working in general practice are no longer the 'handmaiden' to the doctor but are professionals who perform a vast range of clinical, administrative and organisational responsibilities within the general practice primary health care setting.