Mention Practice 2.9

The Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses (CATSIN) was (10/10) founded in 1997 with the express intention of increasing the representation of indigenous people in the nursing profession. Chaired by Sally Goold, CATSIN challenges the western model of health care and seeks to ensure nursing education in indigenous health is culturally appropriate, as well as facilitating indigenous students into nursing. Looking at the broad picture, Alice Springs Hospital nursing director Professor Ged Williams says it is pointless to talk about getting indigenous people into nursing until something is done to address the education of indigenous students in schools. ‘There aren’t too many Aboriginal nurses in Australia because Aboriginal education is appalling,’ Professor Williams said. He argues it is important to begin by getting a critical mass of Aboriginal people into the health sector in jobs such as ward clerks, cleaners, or patient carers where they can support each other. ‘Once we have a large critical mass in the system, then we can hope that this will form a pool of potential employees to go on and do other health work like nursing,’ Professor Williams said. However, Professor Williams adds it is crucial to ensure that early education is meeting the needs of indigenous people, and keeping them in the system.