Establishment of PCNNZ was underpinned by a desire to develop a professional body through which nurses can respond to and participate in key developments influencing the outcomes for those living with palliative care need. A clear voice for nurses, who make up 80%
of the palliative care work force, is essential in supporting developments in palliative care nationally and regionally. The need to develop a system and structure for national leadership in palliative care was noted in The New Zealand Cancer Control Strategy Action Plan
2005-2010.
On November 2nd 2007 in Wellington, the inaugural conference and AGM of PCNNZ was held. This was made possible with a seeding grant from the Donny Trust. The conference attracted over 90 delegates from a variety of different clinical settings around New
Zealand. Nurses working in the aged care sector, community, hospice and hospital enjoyed a day of high calibre speakers. It was at this conference that the first Annual General Meeting was held and the new committee was welcomed. It was at this conference that the enthusiasm for PCNNZ
was felt and provided the committee with the momentum to develop what PCNNZ has become today.
The Goals /Aims of the group are to:
- Represent professional interests of nurses providing palliative care across all clinical settings
- Identify and validate specialist nursing in palliative care
- Support and validate a palliative approach as an integral part of all nursing practice
- Promote the collaboration between nurses working in specialist and generalist palliative care
- Promote and contribute to the recognition of the professional status of palliative nursing locally, nationally and internationally
- Support the advancement of palliative nursing knowledge through education, research and clinical practice development
- Contribute to the development of an interdisciplinary model of palliative care provision by strengthening partnerships with professional and community groups
Membership is available to any nurse employed in palliative care or who has an interest in palliative care nursing. Committee members are elected at the Annual General Meeting. Click here to become a member.
