Victorian Nursing Council

Full description

Establishment

The Victorian Nursing Council was established on 1 March 1958 with the proclamation of the Nurses Act 1956 (No 6035). The Council assumed responsibility for functions previously administered by the Nurses Board (VA 3144). This Act also expanded the new council's function to include the registration of all nurses and the investigation of various matters related to nursing.

Formation and Membership of the Council

The Act provided for a Council of twenty-eight appointed by the Governor in Council. The Council consisted of twelve registered general nurses (six elected by their peers and six nominated by various nursing institutions), a registered midwife (duly elected by registered midwives), two registered mental or mental deficiency nurses (one elected by registered mental or mental deficiency nurses, the other nominated by the Mental Hygiene Authority), an expert in the field of education, a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court and two Ministerial nominees representing mothercraft nurses and nursing aides, with the remaining nominees to come from the medical association and government sector.

Functions

The Council was established as a policy-making body, responsible for the regulation of nursing matters. It was responsible for the establishment of standards, the co-ordination of education and the registration of nurses in any branch of nursing. (To be eligible for registration, nurses and midwives were required to undergo training in training schools approved by the Board and to pass the prescribed examinations).

In performing these functions, the council:

- advised the Minister on all nursing matters.

- co-ordinated policy, research and investigated all matters related to nursing.

- determined the educational standard for entrance into nursing courses.

- administered training programs, setting standards and managing examinations.

- authorised and conducted special courses within the field of nursing, and promoted and established refresher courses for the various categories of nursing.

- consulted and advised authorities and other bodies in matters relating to standards within the field of nursing.

- established links with agents and agencies concerning the use and employment of nurses and from 1960 assumed responsibility for the registration and supervision of these agents and agencies.

- assessed functions for the classification of nurses or nursing services.

- arranged reciprocal recognition of training and qualifications with other nursing organisations within Australia and overseas.

- accepted or rejected applications from hospitals or institutions wanting to establish a training school or course for nurses, inspected training schools revoking approval if facilities or standards were not met.

- registered nurses, issued certificates of registration and annual practicing certificates for all branches of nursing.

- controlled the practice of midwifery by midwives.

- published reports and information concerning nursing matters, circulated information concerning maternal mortality and the preservation of infant life to nurses within these fields.

Location of Records

For records of this agency, see list of series below.

By 1996 the Nurses Board of Victoria (VA 4611) had replaced the Victorian Nursing Council (Nurses Act 1993).