About Us

The NSW Respiratory Nurses Interest Group (RNIG) represents nurses whose primary focus / main area of interest is respiratory nursing in both the hospital and community settings.

History

The NSW RNIG was set up during the winter (August) of 1994 by Mary Dunford Respiratory CNC and Neil Heron RN, as a professional support network for nurses working in respiratory nursing. The first meeting was held in the respiratory department at St George Hospital, with pizza and red wine, and no more than 10 respiratory nurses present.

The original objectives were to:-

Provide a forum for networking;
Encourage the development of a professional role model system;
Encourage the development of nurses with an interest in the field of respiratory nursing to network, share knowledge and ideas;
Lobby for the development of advanced training courses in respiratory nursing;
Be a representative voice influencing the formulation of health management policies;
Set standards and promote a code of ethics within the health industry;
Enhance the potential for the development of multi centre respiratory nursing research studies.

14 years later NSW RNIG continues to exist with the original objectives in mind. Many of these objectives have been achieved, but now it is the sustainability of these objectives that is our goal. As for the objectives that have not been fully achieved, the Executive Committee and members will persevere to ensure the development, support and professional advancement of respiratory nursing.

Mission

NSW RNIG Mission The mission of the NSW Respiratory Nurses Interest Group is to facilitate networking, support and education, develop and promote guidelines/protocols, encourage and support research of innovative evidenced based respiratory nursing practices, and to collaborate with our nursing, allied health and medical colleagues to further improve respiratory health in the community. Also to provide a forum for respiratory nurses to expand their current knowledge and skills through the sharing of their experiences.

Aim

To keep abreast of new advances in respiratory care and the dissemination of evidence based nursing practice amongst respiratory peers through education, networking, support and clinical practice development

Vision

Our vision is to promote and maintain the highest standard of respiratory nursing by incorporating the original objectives and beyond by:

Disseminating information to members on issues of significance to respiratory nursing and health;
Providing and facilitating professional development in the areas of clinical practice, education and research;
Identifying and examining issues and problems relevant to respiratory nursing practice through discussion and education;
Read more: Mission

Executive Committee

The role of the Executive Committee is multifunctional. In keeping with the original vision of the founding members, the Committee organises education opportunities, workshops, and programs to continually update respiratory clinical nurses with evidenced based practice, guidelines and research and provide a networking forum. The Committee facilitates the development and or implementation of evidenced based protocols and guidelines for clinical practice. The Committee frequently seeks feedback to ensure such education, protocol and policy development is relevant and meets the needs of our members and the general nursing community.