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• Evolution for APNA

Evolution for APNA

The Australian Practice Nurses Association Incorporated has changed its name to the Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association Incorporated. The association will continue to be known as APNA, however the P now stands for "primary health care" rather than "Practice."

This change reflects the shift in the number of APNA members working as primary health care nurses in the general practice setting as APNA maintains their focus on member needs. It also is a continuation of the association's constitutional purpose which is "to be the peak body for nurses working in primary health care, providing representations, professional development and support at a local, state and national level."

Julianne Badenoch, President, APNA, said that the broadening of the constitutional purpose reflected two developments. 

"The first was that we began receiving feedback from many of our members who work in general practice, that they preferred to be known as "primary health care nurses" working in a general practice setting, rather than "practice nurses," said Ms Badenoch. "The second was that APNA was increasingly being approached by nurses working in areas of primary health care other than general practice, with requests for support, representation, and access to professional development."

The movement was officially voted on in ANPA's Annual General Meeting in May 2013, and members overwhelmingly voted in favour of the motion.

Ms Badenoch was quick to assure members that the name change did not change the focus of the association, and that APNA was still very much focused on the needs of the group.

"We will continue to strongly represent and support nurses working in general practice, including through advocacy and work programs specific to the needs of these nurses. At the same time, we will provide a suite of programs and services that are accessible and relevant to our members." said Ms Badenoch.

"At a day-to-day level it is business as usual."