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The nursing profession faces a number of significant workforce challenges. Both the nursing workforce and US population are aging, leading to a wave of nurse retirements and a simultaneous increase in need for health care, especially in long-term care settings. Furthermore, the current nursing workforce does not mirror the racial and ethnic diversity of the population. Released following the Center on Education and Skills New America (CESNA) report 'Apprenticeship and the future of nursing' [available in VOCEDplus at TD/TNC 137.1230], this guide aims to explore why and how apprenticeship could diversify the nursing workforce and increase academic and career progression for nurses. While apprenticeship may not be a silver bullet for workforce challenges, the model can lower financial and logistical barriers to entry and progression for those that may have felt such a career was out of reach.

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The Department of Health announced an independent review of nursing education as a measure in the 2018/19 Federal Budget in May 2018. The present report represents the outcome of the various consultations, debates, and discussions. It covers the educational preparation of nurses, as well as the factors that influence people to choose nursing as an occupation. The report also looks at how other countries view Australian nursing education. The review found much that is excellent about nursing education, but it also found areas that could be improved. These include increasing the diversity of the nursing workforce, providing easily navigable career paths, fostering inter-professional collaboration, and ensuring that all nurses are adequately prepared for their roles. This report covers each of these topics and several related ones.

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Introduction: Community nursing and midwifery is changing in response to a shift in care from hospital to home, brought about by increasing costs to care because of an aging population and increasing chronicity. Until now, community nursing positions and scope of practice has been dependent on service focus and location, which has led to the role being unclearly defined. Lack of appeal for a career in community practice and a looming workforce shortage necessitates a review into how community nursing and midwifery transition to practice is supported.

Methods: This review sought to identify, assess and summarize available evidence relating to transitioning into community nursing and midwifery practice as a speciality. A systematic review was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses approach. A narrative synthesis was then undertaken on papers that examined community nursing and midwifery pathway perspectives which define, and enable or inhibit a contemporary pathway. Thematic analysis used a theoretical framework developed for early career and rapid transition to nursing specialty practice.

Results: There is a paucity of research that identifies community nursing and midwifery as a discreet scope of practice. Twelve papers were eventually included in the review. Verbatim findings were extracted from the papers and clustered into categories based on the chosen theoretical framework. Major themes were 'the self' (professional and personal); 'transition processes'; and, a 'sense of belonging'. Sub themes included narrative identifying inhibitors and enablers in each theme.

Discussion: No definition of community practice or pathway was identified in nursing, although midwifery was clearly defined. Community nursing practice was described as generalist in nature although specialist knowledge is required. Being part of the community in the professional sense and personal sense was considered important. The importance of transition was identified where pre-entry exposure to community practice was seen as important. Stages in transition to practice were recognised as pre-entry; incomer; insider; and, a sense of belonging. The process of transition should be planned and individualised acknowledging past experience whilst acknowledging the specialist nature of community-based practice.

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