Council looks to the future
Published: 6 April 2009
With a newly elected QNU Council, including a new President and Vice President, now on deck they’re considering strategies to best defend and promote the interests of QNU members.
President Desley Geraghty-Rudd and Vice-President Sally-Anne Jones tell tqn a little about the priorities for Council going forward and why they’re so pleased to be actively involved in our Union.
Getting active in the QNU
Desley:
Over 20 years ago I decided, due to mentoring for my then peers, to become active in the Union. I’ve been part of numerous changes, structures and negotiations during this time. I admire and respect the values of the QNU and the ongoing support, passion, motivation, professional and industrial assistance and advice that are part of membership.
Sally:
When I first joined QNU Council, got involved at Branch level, and started attending the QNU Annual Conference the real world of the QNU was opened up to me. The more I learned about the QNU, the more I wanted to be a part of the organisation that provided education, support and guidance for nurses and midwives in industrial and professional matters.
The key issues and challenges
Desley:
It will be essential that we monitor and maximise our influence in opportunities such as EB7, the aged care campaign, National Registration and Accreditation and national health reform, and importantly meet the challenges presented by the global financial crisis head on.
Workloads and staffing issues will continue to be a major challenge for QNU members. The nature of our work and our skillmix will change dramatically over the next 5-10 years. It is important that all nurses stay abreast of the issues by listening, reading, debating, and having a say. This is the crux of our Nurses. For you. For life. campaign which will continue to be part of everything we do at QNU Council.
Sally:
I believe that retaining nurses and midwives in their current positions as well as attracting them back to the workforce is as vital as encouraging people to take up nursing and midwifery. There are so many diverse clinical interests that can be catered to in nursing these days — it’s a dynamic, fulfilling and rewarding career choice.
The challenges facing nursing in the 21st century are complex and include catering for the needs and desires of the differing generations of nurses; being innovative in care delivery with ever increasing numbers of patients and residents while still delivering safe and effective care; and developing strategies to attract and keep nurses in the workforce.
The importance of QNU Council
Desley:
Council has the important role of governing the QNU. All issues are openly debated, with every Councillor having the opportunity to voice a view, make a recommendation, clarify a concern and vote for a decision.
We’ve got new Councillors and many experienced past Councillors—a good opportunity for this motivated, passionate team to advance and support the values and philosophies of the QNU, representing all members’ interests.
I would particularly like to thank past Councillors and our past President, Sue Cadigan, for their valued contribution.
Sally:
We have been chosen by the members of QNU to represent them at a meeting where the business of the QNU is discussed and decided upon. We are charged with representing members’ best interests on local and collective issues. The debate at Council can be very robust when there are conflicting interests and opinions in the room. All decisions are voted upon and the discussion is minuted so the decision making process is very transparent.
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