Professional capability within the Australian hyperbaric nursing workforce

Abstract

Objective: To document and describe a contemporary profile of the Australian hyperbaric nursing workforce.

Design: A mixed methods research methodology using a web-based survey questionnaire.

Setting: Members of the Australian Hyperbaric Technicians and Nurses Association.

Main outcome measures: Overview of the current Australian hyperbaric nursing workforce including demographics, education, clinical experience, employment status and workplace health and safety requirements.

Results: A majority of the 49 respondents working in the specialty of hyperbaric medicine were female (87.7%) and aged between 45-54 years (42.9%). All have qualifications relevant to hyperbaric, wound management and/or critical care nursing. A mostly part-time and casual workforce (75.5%) participates in an on call roster between one and five times per fortnight (81.6%). Hyperbaric nurses (95.4%) have been recruited from critical and emergency care departments with many continuing to work shifts in these areas. A high level of workplace health and safety compliance includes an annual medical examination (91.8%) and associated hearing test (77.6%). Personal injuries associated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy are low.

Conclusion: Limited data are available on the characteristics of the hyperbaric nursing workforce in Australia. Results of this survey show the recruitment and retention of female nurses’ in the middle of their career ensures a high level of job suitability. Advanced clinical skills coupled with relevant post graduate tertiary qualifications are necessary. A high level of casual workforce employees ensures the mandatory 18 hour break between compression treatments is achievable. The emphasis on workplace health and safety compliance is paramount with few injuries being reported.