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At the same time, providers are facing persistent workforce challenges, including high turnover, skills shortages and onboarding complexity. The Aged Care Transition to Practice Program (ACTTP) was developed in response to these challenges, directly supporting recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, which identified the need for a capable, confident and well-supported nursing workforce.

Funded by the Australian Government Department and delivered by Ageing Australia, the ACTTP combines formal learning, workplace support and mentoring to accelerate nurse capability, confidence and retention. “Ageing Australia is committed to providing expert education and support for nurses in the aged care sector,” said Belinda Allen, Ageing Australia General Manager Services and Sector Capacity. “The ACTTP is part of a national effort to build a sustainable aged care workforce by offering structured pathways, mentorship and professional development for nurses entering the sector.”

The program is seeing Ageing Australia work collaboratively with the Sydney Nursing School (SNS), from the University of Sydney. With a strong commitment to improving the capacity and capability of nurses in the care of older people across health and aged care settings, the SNS academic team is providing feedback and guidance to support continuous improvement in the training modules. “We’re delighted to support capacity building initiatives in the aged care setting, and value our partnership with Ageing Australia,” said the university’s Professor of Healthy Ageing Yun-Hee Jeon. “An important part of our role is to be engaged in frontline healthcare and contribute to ongoing improvements in the experiences of service users in health and aged care.”

Built on a high-quality, evidence-based curriculum that aims to elevate the delivery of aged care services, the ACTTP uses a blended learning model. The program combines live-streamed professional development sessions with Ageing Australia’s nurse educators, on-demand digital content as well as workplace-based mentorship to equip nurses with the knowledge and skills required to deliver safe, high-quality care. The curriculum also incorporates case studies to provide stimulus for learning and to guide participants through the application of learning to their practice as registered or enrolled nurses.

“Our nurse educators are instrumental in guiding and supporting nurses as they transition into the aged care sector,” said Belinda. “Playing a vital role in the ACTTP, they facilitate learning and assessment while providing support to learners and responding to program-related questions and concerns. Their expertise and dedication are essential to creating an enriching environment for all participants and maintaining a high standard of education, ensuring successful learning outcomes.

“The nurse educators at Ageing Australia have in-depth knowledge of the role-specific requirements for registered nurses, enrolled nurses and nurse practitioners as they transition into aged care. This expertise enables us to tailor support and education to meet the unique needs of each nursing workforce, ensuring ACTTP is contemporary, evidence-based and aligned with essential knowledge and skills for aged care nurses.”

Edna Odhiambo completed the ACTTP earlier this year as an enrolled nurse at Whiddon Residential Care in Kelso, a regional town of Bathurst, New South Wales. Edna said the teaching was second to none. “Ageing Australia’s nursing team had the best facilitators to teach in their specific fields,” she said. “We were very lucky to have the very best health practitioners, nurse educators and leaders who were all advocating for us to be the best aged care nurses we can be. My nurse educator was very patient with me from the very beginning and was always encouraging me to do my best.”

Free and available in all states and territories, the ACTTP addresses one of the most pressing areas in aged care quality – ensuring a skilled nursing workforce, particularly those who are transitioning into aged care careers. “Ageing Australia is driving growth and expertise in aged care nursing and is committed to help learners complete the ACTTP with confidence,” said Belinda. “Through structured learning, mentoring and industry collaboration, we are empowering nurses to become confident, safe and professional practitioners in the sector.”