The Australian Ophthalmic Nurses Association (AONA) National Council has launched the first National Practice Standards for Ophthalmic Nurses in Australia at AONA-Queensland's 30th Conference in Brisbane.

The standards have been developed to give individual nurses, employers and the wider eye care sector a clear explanation of what is expected of Australian ophthalmic nurses, especially as the need for nurse engagement and involvement in ophthalmic services increases.

Spearheaded by Queensland nurse Amanda Wylie, the standards development team examined ophthalmic nursing frameworks from around the world, and cross-matched them to other nursing sub-specialist professionals in Australia, before drawing up a practice framework that is relevant to nursing and the eye care sector in Australia.

The standards are designed to sit within the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia’s Registered Nurse Standards for Practice.

The standards cover:

Domain 1: Thinks critically and analyses nursing practice

• Standard 1: Acts to enhance the continual development of individual practice and that of the specialty
• Standard 2: Advancing the specialist body of knowledge in Ophthalmic Nursing

Domain 2: Maintains the capability for practice

• Standard 3: Demonstrates and maintains specialist knowledge in ophthalmic nursing

Domain 3: Engages in therapeutic and professional relationships

• Standard 4: Engages in legal and ethical nursing practice
• Standard 5: Engages in health promotion and education activities

Domain 4: Provision and co-ordination of care

• Standard 6: Manages patient’s ophthalmic health care.

AONA will be discussing implementation of the framework at its Nursing Day Conference at The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists in Adelaide on 18 November.