CQU’s Foundational Professor of Contemporary Nursing William Lauder will suggest a major restructure of the current educational framework for nursing in Australia at a public professorial lecture next week in Rockhampton.

Professor Lauder’s lecture “Future Directions for Nurse Education and Research” will be held at CQU Rockhampton, next Wednesday June 11 from 6pm in building 18, room G.05. The lecture will be followed by a light supper from 7pm to 8pm.

Professor Lauder believes nursing and nurse education in Australia is disjointed and a leadership vacuum exists at a national level, unlike the structure that operates in the UK and US.

“Current educational structures are outdated and require major restructuring in which education is clinically led, largely delivered by clinicians and boundaries between industry, university and TAFE are blurred,” he said.

He suggests that a three-year generalist preparation in nursing does not meet the needs of many vulnerable client groups.

“Aged care and mental health should form a major component of undergraduate programs. The scope of practice as it is interpreted in Australia acts as a limiting force, especially in the way in which it constrains and marginalizes enrolled nurses,” Professor Lauder explained.

He also believes that nursing research must meet the challenge of competing on the international stage.

“Australia’s PhD programs are not producing rounded researchers who can provide the answers to the full range questions practising nurses require. We need to have a clear clinical-academic path in which the brightest and most talented students are identified at an early stage of their career and supported in both clinical and academic aspects of their development.

To RSVP for the lecture phone Amy Hixon on 07 4923 2550.