Continuing Nurse Education

The CNE grant program is designed to assist health services in the acute health sector to run professional development programs and is a contribution to the cost of the overall nurse education program. 

The funding model and principles underpinning the Grant were established in 2005 following consultation with health services and key stakeholders. Throughout the triennium, a series of monitoring and evaluation activities have been undertaken by the Nurse Policy Branch in order to maximise the outcomes of the Grant and inform the 2008-2011 Guidelines. Evaluation activities have included:

• Regular reviews of the CNE program have taken place since the program began in 1999.  
• Health services have reported to the Nurse Policy Branch annually. Theses reports have been analysed to determine issues in the provision of nursing education and the administration of the Grant.
• In June 2007 a comprehensive review of the CNE program conducted a detailed analysis of records and reports. At the same time, health services and rural DHS regional coordinators were invited to provide feedback on the program.

The  2008-2011 Program Guidelines (pdf, 53kb) and submission proforma have been developed in response to recommendations of monitoring and evaluation activities.

The changes to the Grant are minimal and have focussed on maximising the educational outcomes, linking CNE to organisational strategic directions and minimising the administrative burden to health services. As in 2005-2008, rural health services are encouraged to provide submissions from consortia.
The Nurse Policy Branch is now calling for funding submissions for the Continuing Nurse Education (CNE) Grant for the period 2008-2011. 

Contact

All enquires can be directed to the Project Officer, Nurse Policy Branch Funded Programs.