Abstract
Most Australian nurses are female, employed by acute care hospitals and reside in capital cities. Although the majority work as clinicians in the medical and surgical field, nursing homes have also increased as a significant employer during recent years. Current challenges for Australian nursing include rural nursing, public health nursing and a projected national shortage in certain clinical areas. Staff retention rates are becoming problematic as increasing numbers leave the profession because of family commitments and limited employment satisfaction. Their workloads are also increasing, and many feel that recent technological changes have not really given nurses any more spare time. This paper provides a brief overview of contemporary nursing within Australia. Detailed statistics are provided, along with education and registration arrangements, historical aspects and future challenges. The opportunities and requirements for foreign nurses wishing to emigrate to Australia are also discussed.
