05-07 August 2024 | Gold Coast Hinterlands | 20 CPD Hrs
Phone: 07 4151 3884
Email: [email protected]
Conference Synopsis
As Nurses, we are expected to carry on our work or cope, irrespective of the trauma we witness daily. In our personal lives as the Nurse in the family, people look to us to take the lead in a family crisis and “fix it”. The time to reflect on our sense of grief and loss is negated. We tend to swallow our feelings until we can deal with them later, but sometimes later never comes.
In our undergraduate education, we have very little content on counselling a bereaved person, which often makes us feel stressed and inadequate in dealing with the situation. We are also not given adequate education on managing our grief response to the trauma we witness.
This retreat provides you with the unique experience to explore the implications of grief and trauma in both the professional and personal life of the Nurse.
We will examine two main concepts. The first is self-nurturing and healing from our personal grief or challenging experiences. The second is your work with patients and your relationships with family and friends who have experienced trauma, bereavement, or grief – enhancing your counselling and communication techniques.
how will we nurture you?
This unique retreat offers not just education but also a supportive environment with caring and experienced facilitators to assist you explore these difficult topics.
The group will join together to learn practical strategies to manage challenging situations in their personal and professional lives.
In addition to the conference program, attendees will have the opportunity to explore a number of activities to assist them in managing stress and preventing burnout.
Each day, Attendees can join the Facilitators and other attendees on one of the many beautiful, serene rainforest walks, explore different forms of meditation and unpack topics that can only be done in a supported learning environment such as this.
This Nursing Retreat has been developed by two experienced facilitators who look forward to working with you in the breathtaking natural environment of O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat.
Although this retreat is predominantly for Nurses, other health care professionals are also welcome to attend.
Who is this conference for?
This is a conference retreat is for all Nurses irrespective of clinical specialty. The content applies to a new graduate, enrolled nurse, registered nurse through to director of Nursing. The skills you will learn at the conference will be valuable to you in a variety of challenging situations. This retreat offers not just education but includes a supportive environment with caring and experienced facilitators to assist you explore these difficult topics.
You will also learn:
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- What to say and not to say to a bereaved distressed person
- The effect of chronic work stress and the link to poor physical and mental health
- The pathology of panic attacks outlining the fight and flight response
- The signs and symptoms of a panic attack and adrenal fatigue
- The personality traits that are associated with anxiety and panic attacks
- The link between gut health and mental health
- The concept of burnout
- The effects of shift work on the nurses/ paramedics, mental and physical health
- About grief and bereavement and how it affects us
- How to use the ‘five minute framework’ and how to counsel family members or clients.
- Counselling tips
- How to avoid traps in challenging situations.
- About prescription drugs have side effects of depressed mood
- How to utilise the science of mindfulness for your own benefit
Learning Outcomes
In this conference you will:
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- Gain an understanding of the importance of self-nurturing and the development of your own stress management plan
- Explore anxiety, panic attacks and the link to adrenal fatigue
- Investigate the effects of bereavement and grief on physical and mental health
- Learn techniques to enhance your counselling skills
Why a Retreat?
A conference retreat is designed to facilitate the ability of a group to step back from their day-to-day demands and activities for a period of concentrated discussion and exploration of specific issues.
In the past, Nurses have not been offered conference retreats. They have not been provided with the support that other professions have received. Nurses make up the largest health care professional group, but their unique needs have been overlooked.
The need for this nursing conference retreat is based on the counselling work of Anne Evans- Murray as she works with many nursing clients who have experienced bullying or who wish to develop their own personal assertiveness skills.
So, join us in this unique experience as we step back from our day-to-day demands and stressors and take advantage of the supportive environment that a retreat offers.
can I claim this as CPD?
Yes, you can!
Under the code of conduct in Domain 7: Promote Health and Wellbeing, the value statement that we, as Nurses and Midwives are required to abide by is:
“Nurses and Midwives promote health and wellbeing for people and their families, colleagues, the broader community and themselves in a way that addresses health inequality.”
This means that the information and education provided at this retreat is perfect to meet your obligations under this domain and thus claimable as a CPD activity.
The Venue: O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat
The conference retreat is being held at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat which is located 90 mins from the Gold Coast and 2 hrs from Brisbane. O’Reilly’s Retreat offers a rustic environment housed in the beautiful Lamington National Park.
The journey to O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat is almost as memorable as the destination. It will take you through the village of Canungra and as you pass through the Canungra Valley, stop in to sample some O’Reilly’s wine and fuel up for your afternoon of hiking with a picnic at Canungra Valley Vineyards. As you begin your drive up to the Lamington Plateau, take it slowly on the winding mountain road and enjoy the vistas towards the mountains in the West. You’ll understand why it is called “The Scenic Rim”.
The location allows us to hold sessions outside in the rainforest to gain the benefits that mother nature provides in this fabulous location. There will also be opportunities to take advantage of the day spa with time allocated on days two and three in the afternoon to take part in self-care. You will need to book these activities directly with O’Reilly’s well in advance.
“I had a hot stone massage there recently and it was just fabulous – one of the best I have ever encountered.” – Anne Evans-Murray
O’Reilly’s is renowned for its sunsets over the mountains and on day one the group will be able to experience this at the complimentary Conference welcome session.
Attendees will book their accommodation directly with O’Reilly’s. There are several options to choose from and a special rate is available with the use of the Conference booking code (after your registration is paid). If you choose to stay in the original O’Reilly’s Lodge building, there are no TVs in the rooms to detract from your retreat experience.
The lodge does house the dining room as well as a few spaces where you can sit in front of an open fire and talk with others or lose yourself in a good book. The Sunset bar and conference room are also located in the original O’Reilly’s lodge. If you want a more up-market experience, you can choose to stay in one of the many villas that are well appointed. However, you will need to drive up to the Retreat conference room each day.
As the roads are winding, we recommend that you stay at the accommodation including the last night of the Conference. You might choose to stay the weekend or calmly head home on Saturday morning ready to face the world again.
Accommodation
Attendees will book their accommodation directly with O’Reilly’s. There are a number of options to choose from and a special rate is available with the use of the Conference booking code (emailed after your registration is paid).
O’Reilly’s retreat offers a rustic environment housed in the beautiful lamington national park.
If you choose to stay in the original Retreat Lodge building, there are no TV’s in the rooms to take away from your retreat experience. The lodge also houses the dining room and several spaces you can sit in front of an open fire and talk with others or lose yourself in a good book. The Sunset bar and conference room are also located in the original O’Reilly’s lodge.
If you want a more up market experience you can choose to stay in one of the many well appointed villas however, you will need to drive up to the Retreat conference room each day.
There is also O’Reilly’s Campground which is a world class ecotourism attraction set out amongst the pristine rainforest and has onsite safari-style tents available.
Please Note: Accommodation costs are not part of the registration fee.
Our Presenters:
Anne Evans-Murray
R.N., BHlthSc, MACCCN, Grad.Dip Ed, MEd, Dip Counselling, GradCertCritCare, CertIV Training and Assessment, CertIV in Mediation
Anne has extensive experience, with 26 years lecturing for Gold Coast Health District and Griffith University where she lectured for the Masters of Critical Care course.
Anne is a Professional Member of the Australian Counseling Association (PMACA) and The Australian College of Critical Care Nurses (ACCCN). She has written three books; “ECG’s Simply – Cardiac Arrhythmias Made Easy”, “Interpretation of Chest X-rays Simply” and “Uncomplicating Life, Simply”.
Anne is also a frequent presenter at workshops, seminars and conferences throughout Australia and New Zealand on subjects such as high dependency nursing, cardiac arrhythmias & ECG interpretation, chest x-rays, Assessment of the Deteriorating Patient, leadership skills, self-development, assertiveness training and counselling skills.
She also conducts accredited advanced life support (ALS) training for Nurses and Doctors. As well as these activities Anne also has her private counselling practice and is a frequent presenter at educational events throughout Australia and New Zealand.
Anne has a commitment and passion for empowering people through increased knowledge with the hope that such knowledge will lead to an improvement in patient outcomes and enhance their performance satisfaction.
Sue Walker
RN, BN, BN (ADMIN), MPHC, MACN, Specialist Nurse Educator
Sue is the director and co-founder of the Nurses for Nurses Network. Sue is a key contributor to the online education platform Nursing CPD – a Continuing Professional Development platform to assist Nurses in meeting their annual CPD requirements.
As a Registered Nurse, Sue holds Degrees in both Nursing and Health Administration, a Master’s Degree in Public Health, as well as a number of certificate courses in Psychiatry of Ageing, Gerontology, Chemotherapy Administration, and Training and Assessment. She is also an Accredited Mental Health First Aid Trainer, Mindfulness Practitioner, and Clinical Supervisor.
Sue has extensive experience as a clinician, educator, and senior manager. She has presented at local and international conferences on many topics including, key issues in healthcare, such as the psychological impact of the work that Nurses do and how the work requirements to deliver healthcare impact the health of the clinician. Other topics presented comprise of Nursing Leadership, Emergency Management, Mental health, Aged Care, Advanced Life Support, Assertiveness, Grief and Loss, and Workplace Bullying.
Sue is passionate about making a difference in how the community and Nurses experience the healthcare system.
“Nurses are the backbone of the healthcare system and work in difficult environments that can take advantage of their commitment to ensuring the best possible care is delivered. To continue to meet professional and community expectations Nurses and Midwives need to acknowledge their unique contribution to health care delivery and assert their collective strength to safeguard the community and ensure their ongoing professional needs are recognised and met.
Healthcare should be delivered by competent, knowledgeable individuals to ensure the best possible experience for the recipient of that care. Nursing is a fabulous profession. The knowledge and skill of the individual Nurse will have the greatest influence on the happiness and health outcomes of each and every client”.
Conference Program:
Day one: Monday, 05 Aug 2024
Topics covered today will include:
- Anxiety, panic attacks and adrenalfatigue from constant stress
- Personality Profile – ABCD model
Evening: Attendee Get Together
Watch the sunset with drinks and canapes as attendees get to know each other as a group.
Dinner this evening will be at your leisure and not included in the conference program. O’Reilly’s has
some great dining options to choose from.
Day Two: Tuesday, 06 Aug 2024
Topics covered today will include:
- Meditation Practice
- Exploration of Art and Mindfulness
- Grief and Bereavement
- Counselling techniques and ‘the five minute framework’
- Strategy Workshop
Day THREE: Wednesday, 07 Aug 2024
Topics covered today will include:
- Burnout in Speciality Areas and Ward Situations
- Mindfulness and Meditation
- Effects of Shift Work on Physical andMental Health
- Professional Boundaries
- Challenging Situations that can Affect Mental and Physical Health
- Developing a Personal Self-Management Plan
CONFERENCE GOVERNANCE
The Governance oversight for the content of this Conference program and the issuing of the associated CPD Certificate is provided by Nursing CPD. Nursing CPD is committed to providing high-quality, clinically relevant education for Nurses.
Things to do During your Visit To O’reillys
SegWay Safari
What a fun way to have a look around the gorgeous rainforest on this guided tour on segways.
Don’t worry if you haven’t ridden one, the team at O’Reilly’s have taught many people to ride them safely so as to have the best experience possible.
Birds of Prey Show
Barn owls, barking owls, black kites, kestrels, and of course the amazing wedge-tail eagle will be on display in all their magnificence at the Birds of Prey show.
Don’t miss the opportunity to slip on the glove and get up close and personal with the eagle.
Visit the Glow Worms
Climb aboard the 4WD bus as we are guided to the glow worm grotto where you will see hundreds of thousands of these twinkling delights.
You may also be lucky enough to see other night-dwellers like possums, bandicoots, frogs or Lamington Spiny Crayfish.
Experience the Zip Lines
If you are up for a bit of adventure then head over to the zip line where you will be strapped in and sent on a 180m journey, 25m up in the rainforest canopy.
You’ll experience the wind through your hair as you see epic views of Morans Creek below.
Our affiliation with ACN provides you with the opportunity to grow your career and tap into your individual potential.
Happy attendees
I would recommend [this] retreat to others. Interesting content. Plenty of stretch and coffee breaks. Speakers [were] very engaging and professional. Had a wonderful retreat we all really enjoyed it and will definitely be back for more. Thank you, Sue and Anne.
The presenters were with their presentations and the great examples they used from their experience. I would also say that every single nurse should attend this retreat within their nursing career for their resilience and wellbeing.
[The] nursing retreat itself was great, learnt a lot and relevant to the current climate. Inspired me to utilise strategies provided.
What’s Included
- An extensive Conference program based on current best practice
- Conference Presenters that are recognised experts in their field and are excited to be able to share their skill, knowledge, and passion with Conference Attendees
- Welcome function on the first night
- A Conference pack that includes a notepad, pen, and additional information to support a fantastic Conference experience
- Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea as outlined in the program
- A Conference Transcript that identifies each session held at the Conference including the session synopsis and session presenters
- A Certificate of Completion identifying the CPD hours attached to the Conference Program for you to include in your CPD Evidence Portfolio
Registration Cost
$890.00 inc GST
Disclaimer: The opinions and statements of facts expressed in the Papers in these proceedings are those of the Authors and do not necessarily represent those of the Nurses for Nurses Network (NfNN), the editors, the organising committee or the supporters of this conference. No responsibility can be accepted by the organisers for errors or omissions in the individual papers. Sessions are correct at time of publication. Sessions are subject to change without notice due to circumstances beyond the control of the organisers. NfNN reserves the right to alter charges, cancel, postpone, change or withdraw the product or service at any time.
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