RCNA Annual Report 2010

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RCNAAustralia’s peak professional nursing organisation

t +61 (02) 6283 3400f +61 (02) 6282 3565freecall 1800 061 [email protected] www.rcna.org.au

rCna 1 Napier Close

PO Box 219Deakin West

ACT 2600

ABN 69 004 271 103

mailto:canberra%40rcna.org.au?subject=RCNA%20Annual%20report%202009

www.rcna.org.au

RCNA ANNUAL REPORT 2010 3

contents 03

WhO We ARe 04

OuR visiON, missiON AND CORe vAlues 05

BOARD Of DiReCTORs 06

PResiDeNT’s RePORT 08

TReAsuReR’s RePORT 10

CeO’s RePORT 12

exeCuTive AND sTAff 15

OuR sTRATegiC DiReCTiONs AND gOAls 16

fiNANCiAl sTATemeNTs 27

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rcna continues to be the peak professional nursing organisation.

Royal College of Nursing, Australia (RCNA) is the peak professional member organisation in Australia for nurses seeking to excel in their scope of practice. RCNA’s membership base is comprised of clinicians in every setting in which nurses practise, academics and educators in all spheres of nursing education, researchers in all fields of nursing endeavour, managers from the full range of health and aged care facilities, lawyers, politicians and bureaucrats.

RCNA takes a leadership role in enhancing the reputation and professional status of nursing, engages in policy formulation and advice on issues of relevance to nursing and health generally and facilitates lifelong learning through the provision of a comprehensive national professional development program that is accessible to both members and non-members.

established in melbourne in march 1949, RCNA originally provided post-registration nursing courses to prepare experienced general nurses for leadership positions within the nursing profession. The aim of RCNA was to enhance the reputation and professional standing of nursing. This was achieved through ensuring that those who taught nursing were highly educated and competent, and that the voice of nurses was heard at all levels of public and private sector decision-making in the provision of health care. After more than 60 years of evolution, RCNA continues to be the peak professional nursing organisation representing our members in all areas of practice.

04 who we are

professionalism and Commitment to exCellenCe: that’s what makes an rCna nurse stand out from the Crowd.

we believe very strongly in the need for nurses to engage with their professional community through membership with organisations like rCna”

“


our vision, mission and core values 05

our vision

We will be the leading organisation that inspires, progresses and promotes the profession of nursing.

Simply explained, the vision statement is the driving sentiment for all our activities.

three strong themes underpin the vision:

1. membership

This is critical to the purpose of the organisation. Membership provides the mandate to represent the professionalism of nurses and revenue to deliver this all important function.

2. Professional growth

As the pre-eminent organisation representing the professionalism of nursing, RCNA is in a key position to raise the standards and profile of the profession.

3. Community health

Our members are driven by the desire to contribute to the health of the Australian community. RCNA plays a strong role in pursuing a national community health agenda.

our mission

To benefit the health of the Australian community through research, promotion and recognition of professional excellence in nursing by:

� representing the professional needs of our growing, substantial membership base

� influencing policy development and formation

� advocating and advising on issues relevant to nursing

� facilitating lifelong learning through a national professional development program

� providing services that support the professional development of nursing

� promoting and supporting the extended network of nursing.

Our mission clearly defines the purpose of the organisation and reinforces and strengthens the directions set by previous strategic plans. As the Australian member of the International Council of Nurses (ICN) we are committed to aiding the progress of the global nursing profession. This, in turn, allows us to be progressive in our contribution to the determination of professional standards.

our Core values

The consensus of the RCNA Board, the executive team, the senior management team and national office staff was that the core values that continually shape our beliefs and behaviours in all our activities are:

ethics

advocacy

excellence

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06 board of directors

stephanie fox-Young frCna, fCn president

debra Yolande Cerasa frCna, fCn Chief exeCutive offiCer Board memBer

ian thackray frCna Board memBer

Christine smith frCna Board memBer

paula elliott frCna viCe-president

Carmen morgan frCna treasurer

the rcna board of directors is committed to transparent governance and a genuine desire to respond to the needs of our members.


Julie shepherd frCna Board memBer

gayle heckenberg frCna Board memBer

John Buxton Board memBer

gay lavery frCna Board memBer

lynette geri frCna Board memBer

Christopher John farrelley Board memBer

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08 president’s report

In the RCNA Strategic Plan, released in 2009, we identified three key themes underpinning the RCNA vision to be the leading organisation that inspires, progresses and promotes the profession of nursing. They were membership, professional growth and community health.

You’ll notice that the directorate reports look at 2010 in the context of RCNA’s five strategic directions and goals; I’d like to report back on 2010 in relation to the themes listed above and update you on what we’ve achieved since the plan was released.

memBership

2010 was an excellent year for membership. We finished the year with a significant increase on our year-end totals for 2009. A range of initiatives contributed to this growth, including our complimentary student membership offer; an increased media profile, driven largely by our policy activities; and a broadening of the number of nursing specialties that RCNA represents. Combined, these initiatives made us a more attractive option to a growing group of nursing professionals looking for a peak body to represent their views.

But membership is not just about increasing numbers; it’s also about successful engagement with our current members and successful engagement with the global nursing community, and I think we also advanced both of these in 2010. Our local engagement took a variety of forms, from the inaugural RCNA Nursing Summit to the experienced nurse think tanks and the development of a number

of new networks, faculties and corporate partnerships. More detail can be found on these elsewhere in this report.

In terms of the global nursing community, we played a very active role as the Australian voting member of the International Council of Nurses (ICN), sending RCNA representatives to the ICN Biennial Triad Meeting in Geneva, the ICN Workforce Forum in Japan and the ICN Credentialing and Regulators Forum in the USA. We also attended a gathering of the Commonwealth Nurses Federation in Cyprus. In addition to our visits, we undertook some policy work to review the ICN Position Statement on Strike Policy. Ensuring the Australian view is heard at international levels is integral to our role as the Australian member of ICN.

professional growth

2010 was all about professional development, thanks to the shift to National Registration and Accreditation that took place in July this year. RCNA members and RCNA national office found themselves moving into a whole new realm of nursing regulation; a professional growth, of sorts! To this end, RCNA played a key role in keeping our members updated about the transition to national registration. We provided a link on our website directing members to key information about the national registration process and distributed regular updates via our publications and website about the transition. We also provided significant feedback on the draft national registration and accreditation standards stephanie fox-Young frCna, fCn

president

three key themes underpinning the rcna vision… membership, professional growth and community health.


that were drawn up by the newly founded Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, urging the importance of maintaining competency-based methods of nursing and midwifery education and reminding the Board that these methods should not be undermined by requirements for nurses to complete a set number of professional development hours every year.

Other significant areas of professional growth included the signing of a renewed Memorandum of Cooperation with the College of Nursing. This was a momentous occasion and a reminder that both organisations have a similar focus on important nursing issues such as professional development. As such, we agreed that we should be putting our energies into moving our entire profession forward, and we can do that much more ably with the combined strength of our two organisations.

CommunitY health

RCNA’s significant expansion this year has paved the way for better community health outcomes. In growing our membership, we are helping to grow the professional competency of the nursing workforce via initiatives like 3LP and our continuing professional education activities. RCNA nurses are engaged with their profession and engaged with their community; they provide high standards of care and take a personal interest in the development of their individual careers. The greater our membership numbers, the more RCNA nurses who are out there providing health care services, the better off the community will be.

We focused our agenda on lobbying state and federal health ministers, ensuring that the RCNA view is heard at all levels of government to continue our efforts for improved health care services for the Australian public.

RCNA shouldered an increased policy load in 2010 that will have significant impact on how the community accesses and receives health care services. Of particular note was our work on the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission’s draft report, Building a 21st Century Primary Health Care System – A Draft of Australia’s First National Primary Health Care Strategy (the draft strategy). In our response to the draft strategy, we outlined RCNA’s belief in the need for a primary health care sector with vastly increased capacity. Within that capacity, advanced practice nurses would play a key role and the nursing profession itself, in a more general sense, would take a leading role in moving forward with an interdisciplinary system of care. We noted that this model of care could be achieved by ensuring primary health care services move beyond the general practice model

and into an arena where all health care professionals can work to the full extent of their competence, education and experience.

Our response also requested more information in a range of areas, calling for a national examination of nursing and midwifery services and infrastructure to identify opportunity for service alignment and service development; an examination of options to integrate nursing and midwifery services with other health services through communication, referral and infrastructure supports; and a national examination of potential funding models to support the delivery of nursing and midwifery outside the general practice environment.

Our work here is clearly not yet done, but I believe that the collaborative model of primary health care we are advocating for is one that will genuinely provide better health care to the community, thereby improving health outcomes.

All in all, 2010 was another exciting year for RCNA. I look forward to reporting on even more exciting events at the end of 2011.

to remain a dynamic and relevant organisation, we must acknowledge changes and growth within our profession.”“

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10 treasurer’s report

overview

RCNA commenced the year in a strong financial position and with a focus on supporting our membership base, RCNA has continued to positively influence the profession of nursing throughout 2010. Expenditure has been targeted in line with strategic goals and directions of the organisation resulting in an increased membership base and coordination of a strong position for nursing policy and professional issues. New initiatives have been introduced including the launching of the New Generation of Nurses Faculty; such initiatives are expected to provide valuable future benefits for RCNA and its members in the years ahead. In addition, ‘think tanks’ were held to provide a forum for experienced nurses to discuss current issues facing the nursing profession.


2010 finanCial result

RCNA experienced solid financial performance in 2009 posting a profit of over $492 000. As a result 2010 was characterised by a strategic decision to provide new initiatives designed to ‘give back to members’. This 2010 investment in RCNA members is expected to reap benefits well into the future. In line with these new initiatives there was significant increased expenditure in 2010 including the following areas:

� Nursing Student Complimentary Membership – over $60 000 was invested in this important initiative designed to connect nurses with RCNA and the nursing profession, at the commencement of their nursing careers. Student complimentary membership proved popular with over 5000 students taking up membership in 2010. This investment will reap benefits in years to come by maintaining a strong membership base for RCNA.

new initiatives designed to ‘give back to members’.


� Experienced nurse think tanks – $17 000 was invested in two very successful ‘think tanks’ held in July and August 2010. The think tanks, facilitated by an external consultant, were a discussion forum where experienced nurses could formulate ideas and actions and advise RCNA on how to best cater for this cohort of members. A range of ideas/suggestions were raised by both groups that RCNA could consider to further engage with the experienced generation of nurses, as well as RCNA members in general, with several ideas already actioned.

� Reinforcing RCNA’s role as the policy body representing the nursing profession, particularly in an election year over $41 000 was invested on raising our media profile.

� The Extraordinary General Meeting held in July 2010 incurred over $15 000 in unanticipated costs.

Some overly optimistic revenue projections in the budget – especially given the effects of the global financial crisis on the discretionary expenditure of all Australians – additional, unanticipated expenditure required to correct and upgrade financial reporting and IT systems to accommodate improvements – and personnel costs that were under estimated for the year, each contributed to a sizeable end of year deficit position of $421 844. On a brighter note, the systems improvements and structural changes that have been implemented will ensure that these problems do not recur.

A focus area of 2010 was RCNA staffing levels and the creation of new positions designed to contribute to future growth of key areas within RCNA, including the creation of a new position of Advertising and Sponsorship Coordinator within the Membership and Business Development directorate. Already the creation of this role has successfully attracted sponsorship money raising the profile of RCNA and supporting the business activities of RCNA into the future.

outlook

Significant increased expenditure on new initiatives in 2010, effects of the global financial crisis on revenue projections and improvements and organisational restructuring each contributed to a deficit of $421 844. Despite this, RCNA maintains a strong financial position with total net assets of $3 415 420. The outlook for 2011 and beyond is to reap the benefits of 2010’s new initiatives and to maintain modest profits, ensuring RCNA’s future profitability and viability for our members.

RCNA remains in a secure financial position for the year ahead and beyond.

expenditure has been targeted in line with strategic goals and directions of the organisation resulting in an increased membership base and coordination of a strong position for nursing policy and professional issues.”

“

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12 ceo’s report

2010 was my second year at the helm of RCNA and it was as busy and inspiring, if not more so, than my first. RCNA has undergone some significant changes in 2010 and these required a lot of innovative thinking and passion on behalf of our members and staff.

Our directorate reports cover the fine details and chronology of the year’s major operational activities, so I’d like to use this space to pick out a few significant initiatives we’ve implemented that support and further RCNA’s mission to be the leading organisation that inspires, progresses and promotes the profession of nursing.

suCCession planning

One thing that all nurses are conscious of is the desperate need for succession planning within our profession. We know that a large proportion of the workforce is due to retire in the next few years, which makes the development and professional nurturing of the new generations of nurses more important than ever. RCNA has implemented some significant initiatives in this direction.

nursing student ComplimentarY memBership

Connecting with nurses when they begin their professional journey creates exciting opportunities for RCNA to foster career-long associations with the nursing community. This is why we decided to offer complimentary membership to all nursing students in Australia. This initiative is important on two levels – firstly, we believe very strongly in the need for nurses to

engage with their professional profession through membership with organisations like RCNA; and secondly, this sort of early stage career planning for nurses will keep RCNA’s membership numbers strong in the coming years, allowing us to remain a viable and profitable organisation. Uptake of this membership was very rapid, with over 5000 students taking out complimentary membership in the first few months.

new generation of nurses faCultY

The New Generation of Nurses Faculty (NGNF) was officially launched in 2010. The term ‘new generation’ refers to nurses in the early stages of their careers – generally within three years of graduating from university or TAFE. The development of the NGNF was the result of a think tank held at RCNA’s national office in late 2009, attended by a group of new generation nurses from across Australia. These nurses made it clear that they felt under-represented within professional organisations supporting the nursing workforce and wanted the opportunity to engage with their peers with the strength of RCNA behind them. In its first year, the NGNF had 5647 members sign up – a really clear sign that we have discovered a gap in the profession where nurses needed to be heard.

engagement

RCNA engaged with the nursing profession and the general public in a range of ways in 2010. Our nursing and health care expos continued in 2010, with a total of 12 500

debra Yolande Cerasa frCna, fCn Chief exeCutive offiCer

rcna nurses are engaged with their profession and in touch with their community.


people passing through the doors of our state and territory expos, we also signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the College of Nursing – a huge step that really establishes the professional connection between the two organisations. You can read more about this in the President’s report.

In addition, RCNA held two experienced nurse think tanks in 2010, inviting some of our most established nursing members to join us in discussions about the future of nursing and the future of RCNA. As I mentioned earlier, there is an urgent need to embed some sort of succession structure into the profession but that will be impossible to achieve without utilising the knowledge and the expertise of the nurses who have brought us to where we are now. Our discussions with these older generation nurses were invaluable both in this context and in the context of continuing to provide relevant services to the different sectors of our membership base.

These think tanks let us know that our experienced nurses want to see RCNA become an even more defined entity with a more recognisable brand so that every time the issue of nursing is raised in the public sphere, RCNA is the public voice of the profession. They want RCNA

to strengthen its role as a policy body and to be represented more widely where nursing and health care policy is being debated, and they see a genuine need for RCNA to provide greater guidance and leadership in the area of continuing professional development. These desires are very much in line with RCNA’s overall strategic directions and we look forward to continuing to work towards these goals with these nursing members.

expansion

poliCY

RCNA’s commitment to influencing health care policy at all levels of gained capacity in 2010 with the introduction of our Centre for Excellence – Policy. You can read more about our policy undertakings from page 18 and in our President’s report, but I’d like to make particular mention of our extensive work in preparation for and response to the 2010 Federal Budget and our continued efforts on the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission strategy documents.

We also remained very active at an international level as the Australian voting member of the International Council of Nurses. Our President, Stephanie Fox-Young discusses our ICN interactions in more detail in her report.

faCulties and national networks

The launch of our two new faculties and three new networks this year – the Movement Disorders and Parkinson’s Nurses Faculty (MDPNF) and the New Generation of Nurses Faculty (NGNF), as well as the Acute Care National Network, Ethics National Network and the Oral Health National Network – was in direct response to the needs of our members. As our membership body continues to grow and, it is becoming more and more diverse in terms of members’ specialties and areas of interest. Many of our members have expressed a desire for a space in which they can connect and communicate with their peers on a range of professional issues related to specific specialties, and these networks and faculties have been designed to meet that need. In terms of the faculties, particularly, these groups provide RCNA’s National office with a wealth of expertise that can inform and influence the organisation’s policy submissions and general policy direction on a range of related issues.

Of particular interest to many of our members was the decision to launch the Oral Health National Network. To remain a dynamic and relevant organisation, we must acknowledge changes and growth within our profession. The Oral Health National Network is a particularly good example of this; oral health practitioners, including oral health nurses, are often marginalised in terms of representation by peak bodies because of the diversity of professionals working under the oral health banner. However, their work is very much connected to the nursing profession; there are clear links between

rCna’s significant expansion this year has paved the way for better community health outcomes.”“

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poor oral health and a range of negative health outcomes such as cancers and heart problems, and the work that oral health care professionals undertake addresses these issues and intersects with the broader nursing workforce on the management and care of these conditions. There is also an obvious need for oral health carers to have somewhere to conduct their professional activities. I’m pleased to say that this network has been extremely well received and membership of the network is growing rapidly.

sCholarships and administrative aCtivities

nursing and allied health sCholarship and support sCheme

RCNA won a highly competitive bid to administer the nursing component of the Nursing and Allied Health Scholarship and support Scheme, funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing. RCNA’s well developed reputation as an administrator of excellence for RCNA, government and private sector scholarships was a key factor in our success in obtaining the tender for this scheme.

nurses Board of viCtoria legaCY limited

RCNA also commenced the administration of the Nurses Board of Victoria Legacy Limited grants and fellowships in 2010, after the board’s regulatory functions became

part of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia during the move towards national registration.

Catsin

As part of RCNA’s ongoing collaborative relationship with the Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses (CATSIN), we provided administrative and event management support for the 12th Annual CATSIN Conference in Sydney. It was a pleasure to be able to support our nursing colleagues in this way.

nursing honours

With 2010 being International Year of the Nurse, RCNA was delighted to participate in a variety of activities celebrating the work of the global nursing community.

honorarY memBership for the governor-general

Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia has long been a supporter of the nursing profession. In recognition of her contributions to the profession of nursing, in raising awareness and recognition of

the work of the world’s nurses, RCNA was delighted to present Her Excellency with an RCNA Honorary Fellowship in 2010.

memorial serviCe

The International Year of the Nurse wouldn’t have been complete without acknowledgement and recognition of those nurses who came before us. On 7 May, RCNA staff attended a service and laid a wreath at the Australian War Memorial to commemorate those nurses who served in war zones around the world, many paying for their courage with their lives. This memorial recognised not just those nurses of the past but also the nurses who remain in combat zones today in places like Iraq and Afghanistan.

readers digest awards

The nursing profession was honoured at the Readers Digest Most Trusted Profession awards in 2010. As the peak professional organisation for nurses, RCNA represented the profession at these awards and I was delighted to accept a trophy on behalf of nurses everywhere. Nursing was listed as the third most trusted profession by the Readers Digest community, behind ambulance officers and fire fighters.

Thank you to all our members, our staff and our nursing colleagues in Australia and around the world for another memorable year.

14 ceo report

succession planning is crucial for our profession. the new generation of nurses faculty is a tangible first step in the passing of the torch.

membership is not just about increasing numbers; it’s also about successful engagement with our current members and successful engagement with the global nursing community...”

“


dr marg mcleod frCna direCtor researCh, faCulties and national aCtivities

kathleen mclaughlin frCna direCtor nursing eduCation, professional serviCes and proJeCts

harphajan singh direCtor Corporate serviCes

Julie porritt frCna direCtor operations and support serviCes

the president, the Ceo, the Board and all rCna staff aCknowledge karen danseY and helen morrison on 15 Years of serviCe. Karen Dansey

executive and staff 15

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our memBership refleCts the diversitY of our profession and the diversitY of health Care needs that exist in australia.

1. membership

2. centre of excellence – policy

3. centre of excellence – research

4. centre of excellence – professional development

5. excellence in governance

1. memBership

RCNA membership has shown steady growth over the past year. The launch of a new complimentary membership package for nursing students received an overwhelming response, with a total of 5464 students taking up the offer. The scheme provides free membership for students in their first two years of undergraduate study and one year for students undertaking a nursing diploma, with the option of a reduced rate of RCNA membership for the final year of study.

fellowships

This year RCNA Fellowships were offered to 20 of our members. Fellowship with RCNA is highly sought-after and is bestowed on nursing leaders who have made an extraordinary contribution to the profession.

Corporate partners

RCNA is dedicated to growing the Corporate Partnership program and helping our partners improve their capability and capacity. RCNA corporate partnerships are characterised by strong mission and value alignment and strategic value. Corporate partners gain access to a range of RCNA facilities, services and professional development activities and can tap into the knowledge and experience of the RCNA membership base as it relates to their core business.

� Friendly Society Private Hospital � Clinical Solutions/GP Assist � Dental Health Services Victoria � Australian College of Children’s and

Young People’s Nurses (ACCYPN)

� Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) � Eastern Health � Drug and Alcohol Nurses � Resthaven Incorporated � University of Ballarat � South West Healthcare � Baxter Healthcare � Jacaranda Village � Caring for You � Blue Care � Nganampa Health Council � Orbost Regional Health � Bendigo Health � Anglican Retirement Villages � Peninsula Health � Dot Dash Australia � Association of Queensland Nurse

Leaders � Australian Infection Control Services � St John of God � Support Staff Australia � Royal Flying Doctors Service

RCNA’s corporate partnership program continued to gain momentum with 11 new partners signing up in 2010. They are:

� Association of Queensland Nurse Leaders

� Australian College of Children and Young People’s Nurses

� Caring for You � Dental Health Services Victoria � Dot Dash Australia � Drug and Alcohol Nurses Australasia � Eastern Health � South West Healthcare � Royal District Nursing Service � Support Staff Australia � Peninsula Health.

16 our strategic directions and goals


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Chapters

RCNA chapters are groups of RCNA members who facilitate networking and professional development opportunities for nurses in their state or territory. As of December 2010 there were eight RCNA chapters, encompassing every state and territory in Australia.

Nationally, our chapters ran 44 events throughout 2010. Events included annual chapter membership meetings, national registration and nurse portfolio information sessions, the ACT/Southern NSW Chapter’s Acute Care Conference and a range of presentations on topics as varied as infection control and the development of psychogeriatric services.

In mid-2010 a working party was formed to review the RCNA chapter system to ensure that the chapters and their activities were aligned with RCNA’s strategic goals. The resulting report recommended that chapters continue to be maintained as an integral component of RCNA, and a further 17 recommendations were made to the RCNA Board of Directors for further discussion and future implementation. The Greater Sydney Chapter was dissolved at the December meeting of the RCNA Board of Directors and members re-distributed into the two other NSW chapters.

rCna national networks

RCNA National Networks provide a forum for members to share their knowledge on particular areas of nursing specialty. In 2010 RCNA sustained 16 national networks, including the new Acute Care National Network, Ethics National Network and the Oral Health National Network.

events

In May the inaugural RCNA Nursing Summit, Minds converging to inspire progress and promote the profession of nursing, was held in Canberra. The summit provided a timely opportunity for Australia’s nursing profession to convene and share ideas on the future of nursing in Australia. The summit was a great success and the contributions of many of our members allowed RCNA to develop the RCNA Nursing Accord 2010. You can read more about this in our policy section on page 20.

In September, RCNA was pleased to host the 2010 International Nurse Practitioner/Advanced Practice Nursing Network (INP/APNN) Conference – Advanced nursing practice responding to changing environments: Creating opportunities, enhancing services and maximising outcomes on behalf of the International Council of Nurses. Delegates from 18 different countries gathered in Brisbane to share their experiences in, and knowledge of, advanced nursing practice. The conference was a wonderful opportunity to showcase Australia to an international audience in preparation for the 25th ICN Quadrennial Congress that will be held in Melbourne in 2013.

The second RCNA Community and Primary Health Care Nursing Conference – Nursing Innovation and Leadership in Primary Health Care: Directions for the future was held in Alice Springs from 24–26 October 2010. Delegates enjoyed keynote presentations on refugee health, cultural principles of primary health, health care services to people in detention facilities and discussions on nursing priorities for primary


health care. Our delegates were also able to experience some of the beauty and culture of central Australia.

The RCNA Nursing and Health Expos were held in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney this year and were a resounding success in promoting the nursing profession and health initiatives to the general public. The events provided high level exposure and value for our 402 exhibitors, who came from hospitals, education providers, government agencies, aged care providers, superannuation funds and unions to showcase their wares The expos attracted around 12 500 visitors and raised awareness of nursing as a career and as an essential health care service within the broader community.

RCNA was also pleased to provide event support to the Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses (CATSIN) for their 12th Annual Conference.

rCna puBliCations

RCNA produced four editions of Connections magazine this year, up from two editions in previous years, expanding the opportunity for RCNA members to

the development of the RCNA Nursing Accord 2010, a key outcome of the summit, solidified rCna’s call for investment to build capacity within the nursing workforce.”“

publish their stories. Connections has proven to be an important and well-loved member benefit and we will continue to offer Connections as a quarterly publication in 2011.

Our online e-bulletin, NurseClick, which was developed in 2009, has continued to be a popular publication with nurses. Subscriptions increased from 9000 in January 2010 to 16 000 in December 2010.

high aChiever awards

RCNA High Achiever Awards are given to undergraduate nursing students at the completion of their final year of study. In 2010, as in other years, students were nominated by their university’s school of nursing. Awardees received a certificate and RCNA membership throughout first year as a graduate nurse.

the high achiever awardees in 2009, awarded at ceremonies in 2010 were:

Jordana Reynolds Australian Catholic University

mikarla Wallace Australian Catholic University

Yvonne Jeston Australian Catholic University

Kyla minns Avondale College

helen Ridsdale-Pattel Central Queensland University

Rachel Archer Central Queensland University

matthew Daley Central Queensland University

lea vieth Central Queensland University

Jan AxtonCentral Queensland University

Jo marrington Charles Darwin University

Karen O’halloran Charles Sturt University

Ann henderson Charles Sturt University

monique hartin Charles Sturt University

louise graves Charles Sturt University

fiona martin Charles Sturt University

David manson Curtin University of Technology

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Carolyn Tudor Deakin University

Kelly smith Deakin University

Paije lucas Deakin University

Camille Jones Edith Cowan University

matthew Curtis Flinders University

meryl Banister Griffith University

Christopher Perry Griffith University

Rachel harrison James Cook University

Cassandra Boyd La Trobe University

Nadia De vecchi La Trobe University

samantha Waters La Trobe University

ebony van dongen La Trobe University

libby Conn La Trobe University

Claire edney Monash University

Tess De munk Monash University

Anne edwards Queensland University of Technology

lisa Johnson Southern Cross University

sophie francis The University of Notre Dame


merren smith The University of Notre Dame

liam Rivett University of Adelaide

felicity graham University of Ballarat

Robyne hingeley University of Canberra

ingrid Nilssen University of Newcastle

sonja heller University of Newcastle

elizabeth Roberts University of Newcastle

mia Taylen University of Queensland

linda leske University of South Australia

frances Davis University of Southern Queensland

Krystel mollenhagen University of Southern Queensland

michelle Delahaye University of Sunshine Coast

Tess Kasper University of Tasmania

David Russell University of Western Sydney

Kerry hunter University of Western Sydney

Jenelee matic University of Western Sydney

2. Centre of exCellenCe – poliCY

In response to the profusion of health reform measures tabled by the Rudd and Gillard Governments, RCNA increased our active lobbying efforts during 2010 to ensure greater recognition and engagement of the professional nursing perspective across the Australian health system. This year was an extremely focused and eventful one for the policy team.

The RCNA 2010 – 2011 pre-budget submission laid the foundations for RCNA’s lobbying agenda with a clear focus on better enabling nurses and midwives to meet the health care needs of the community, particularly underserviced populations. The submission itself identified 10 clear objectives for further government investment, specifically to support reforms in primary health care, aged care, rural health, health research, safety and quality and clinical leadership. These measures were further compiled to form the official RCNA Funding Priorities document that was strategically distributed to the Prime Minister, Treasurer and Minister for Health and Ageing prior to the finalisation of the Federal Budget.

Further to approaching the Federal Government under the financial umbrella, RCNA also lobbied heavily for health reform momentum to continue and for greater recognition of the nursing and midwifery professions in developing and delivering health care across all sectors. RCNA distributed letters to the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) before its April 2010 meeting, suggesting that in order to fully realise system-wide reform, COAG must agree to a plan that examines


the significant workforce implications linked to the series of governmental reforms. As a key element of reform recommendations, RCNA reminded national leaders that the nursing and midwifery workforce is the backbone of all sectors within health care and that future policy and funding arrangements must reflect the centrality of nursing and midwifery roles.

RCNA’s correspondence was formally acknowledged by a majority of recipients, demonstrating RCNA’s active and continuing efforts to establish and coordinate a strong position for nursing policy and professional issues within the Australian Government agenda.

RCNA’s key lobbying messages were further reinforced and consolidated at the successful RCNA Nursing Summit held in Canberra in May 2010. Lively discussion and debate led to nurse leaders from around the country charging RCNA with the responsibility to provide leadership on a number of critical professional issues. The development of the RCNA Nursing Accord 2010, a key outcome of the summit, solidified RCNA’s call for investment to build capacity within the nursing workforce, particularly in relation to leadership, governance, mentoring and the next generation of nurses to ensure the government understands and acknowledges the direct impact nursing care has on health outcomes.

The RCNA Nursing Accord 2010 clarifies the urgent need identified by nurses and nurse leaders for a National Nursing and Midwifery Workforce Strategy. This strategy would facilitate assessment and planning for the profession’s workforce readiness in

order to successfully meet future health service demands.

Midway through 2010, the Federal Election provided a stimulus for vigorous promotion of the nursing profession’s priorities. RCNA drove the call for the development of a National Nursing and Midwifery Workforce Strategy in its pre and post-Federal Election lobbying efforts, identifying it as a top concern within our Key Election Priorities 2010 document. RCNA’s Key Election Priorities 2010 were widely distributed to federal political leaders and independents in concentrated lobbying efforts throughout the frenetic Federal Government election period. Election-related media releases were also disseminated on a regular basis to promulgate health reform as a critical issue for politicians and policy makers.

RCNA participated in further politics in late 2010, assertively lobbying for Victorian party leaders to maintain the vital role of Chief Nursing Advisor in the state. RCNA believes that the role is crucial to the engagement of Victoria’s largest health profession and to ensuring nurses have a legitimate voice in health-related discussions at the highest levels. RCNA is pleased to see the new Victorian Government is acting to recruit the position.

RCNA closed the year by reasserting the need for fundamental reform to Australia’s primary health care system. The consultation on Medicare Locals Governance and Functions shed light on the Federal Government’s intention to build Medicare Locals on top of a current medico-centric model, falling well short of the nursing profession’s vision for nationally implemented primary health care organisations. RCNA responded with a submission and public media release arguing for the development of primary health care organisations that will better target health care to include screening, health promotion and other preventative measures. RCNA again called for the government to depart from a treatment-oriented and medically controlled model of service delivery to enable the primary health care system to improve both access to care and health outcomes.

Throughout 2010, RCNA engaged in a range of consultations in addition to keeping a strong focus on the national reform agenda. Other notable submissions included responses to the following consultations:

� Department of Health and Ageing Review of the Aged Care Funding Instrument

excellence begins early with the rCna high achiever awards.”“

22

� Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia Consultation on Codes and Guidelines

� Department of Health and Ageing Development of a Quality Framework for the Medicare Benefits Schedule

� Productivity Commission Inquiry into Caring for Older Australians

� Health Workforce Australia Clinical Supervisor Support Program

� Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care Patient Safety in Primary Health Care.

RePReseNTATiON

Through extensive representation activity this year, RCNA staff, fellows and members have continued to take action on issues of significance to the nursing profession and, most importantly, to the health of the community. Through a combined effort, nurses have been at the table and involved in key discussions directly influencing clinical, policy, and governance matters across the health sector. The predominant role of nursing in developing and delivering health care and the profession’s direct influence on population health outcomes requires that nurses are centrally engaged in health planning and reform. RCNA is committed to pursuing opportunities

for our members to share their unique nursing knowledge and contribute to the improvement and growth of Australia’s health system.

RCNA was involved in 46 representative roles in 2010 at state and national levels; many of these are ongoing with some groups convening several times a year. A few highlights include:

Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI) Industry Reference Group that advises the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing. RCNA was represented by Professor Tracey McDonald FRCNA

Aged Care Workforce Committee advises the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing. RCNA was represented by Dr Susan Koch FRCNA

The Alliance for Sharps Safety and Needlestick Prevention in Healthcare an independent interest group. RCNA was represented by Kristine Millar MRCNA

Detention Health Advisory Group advises the Commonwealth Department of Immigration. RCNA was represented by Sandy Eagar MRCNA

Australian Day Surgery Council advises the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. RCNA was represented by Wendy Adams MRCNA

Australian Resuscitation Council, Queensland Australia Branch. RCNA is represented by Terri-Ann Eden-Jones MRCNA

National Gynaecological Cancer Services Delivery and Resource Framework advises Cancer Australia. RCNA was represented by Alison Bean-Hodges MRCNA

Ministerial Advisory Committee on Surgical Services advises the Victorian Minister for Health and the Department of Human Services. RCNA was represented by Jennifer Rabach FRCNA

Prohibition of human cloning for reproduction Act 2002 & Research involving Human embryos Act 2002 advises the National Health and Medical Research Council. RCNA was represented by Dr Faye Thompson FRCNA

National Aged Care Medication Management Project Reference Group advises Aged and Community Services Australia. RCNA was represented by Deborah McKern MRCNA

Australasian Association of Clinical Biochemists (AACB) – Point of Care Testing (PoCT) Project advises the Department of Health and Ageing. RCNA was represented by Shane Lenson FRCNA.


rCna again called for the government to depart from a treatment-oriented and medically controlled model of service delivery to improve both access to care and health outcomes.”“


3. Centre of exCellenCe – researCh

RCNA was pleased to work with Catholic Health Australia (CHA) during 2010 under the leadership of the CHA Directors of Nursing and Midwifery Committee to support a project to identify the barriers and enablers experienced and perceived by Nurse/Midwife Unit Managers (N/MUMs) in their roles across CHA. The project identified strategies to support N/MUMs in carrying out this role, recognising the pivotal part the N/MUM has in coordinating patient care. Findings were presented by RCNA at the Catholic Health Australia National Conference 2010 in Adelaide.

nursing honours

With 2010 being International Year of the Nurse, RCNA was delighted to participate in a variety of activities celebrating the work of the global nursing community.

rCna grants, honours and awards

The RCNA grants and awards program is a collection of RCNA grants, trusts and honours awarded to members in various areas of specialty. Each award has its own set of criteria. In 2010 the Board of Directors was pleased to approve the awarding of RCNA grants, honours and awards to the following members:

Annie m sage memorial scholarship winner of $10 000 – Ms Kerry Hampton MRCNA

florence Nightingale memorial scholarship winner of $10 000 – Brett Mitchell MRCNA

Joyce Wickham memorial grant winner of $5000 – Ms Elaine Bennett MRCNA

New south Wales Nurses Research grant winner of $10 000 – Ms Se Ok Ohr MRCNA

Patricia slater memorial Award winner – Ms Karen O’Dell MRCNA

The Patricia Slater award covered the cost of airfare, accommodation and registration for a registered nurse to attend the inaugural RCNA Nursing Summit 2010 in Canberra.

gertrude Berger memorial Award winner – Ms Emma Brown MRCNA

The Gertrude Berger award covered the cost of the airfare, accommodation and registration for an enrolled nurse to attend the inaugural RCNA Nursing Summit 2010 in Canberra.

Bequest fund for Research winner of $10 000 – Ms Tan Kan Ku MRCNA

Centaur Nurses memorial education Trust winner of $5000 – Mr Matthew Walsh MRCNA

laura saunderson Award winner – Ms Lily Lee

margaret Y Winning grant winner of $10 000 – Mrs Evelyn Dwyer MRCNA

edie smith memorial scholarship winner – Alan Caust MRCNA

Patricia Chomley memorial Orator – Mr Jamie Ranse FRCNA

Distinguished life fellow Award winner – Professor Genevieve Isabel Gray FRCNA (DLF)

RCNA member/fellow merit Award winners – Adjunct Associate Professor Robyn Sutherland FRCNA (MA) (Innovation) , Dr David Stanley MRCNA (MA) (Publication), Professor Megan-Jane Johnstone FRCNA (MA) (Publication)

nursing is about being part of our community and honouring the spirit of caring in all its guises.

aCCess, opportunitY and top qualitY Care – that’s what we want for our patients, and that’s whY we’re Calling for fundamental reform.

24

RCNA non-member merit Award winner – Barbara McMaster (Service to Humanity)

RCNA honorary fellowship Award winner – Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia

rCna online Computer training program

The RCNA endorsed program is based on Microsoft Office 2007 (including: Word; Excel; Access; PowerPoint and Outlook) and aims to increase general information technology skills. The training is completed online and participants work their way through the modules at a self-directed pace. This continuing professional development opportunity is available to all health professionals and support staff and RCNA offers phone and email support to participants over the 12 month access period. At the completion of training participants receive an RCNA Certificate of Completion with allocation of RCNA Continuing Nurse Education points. RCNA realises that online learning has become an increasingly attractive model for nurses and midwives and will continue to support this program throughout 2011. Currently, there are over 900 participants registered, with 344 registering in 2010.

4. Centre of exCellenCe - professional development

rCna eduCation serviCes

Following a period of extensive research and planning in late 2009, RCNA offered its refreshed and upgraded Life Long Learning Program (3LP) to users in May 2010. As a result of the move to national registration and accreditation this year, the structure of 3LP was revised to support continuing professional development (CPD) requirements for nurses, as detailed in the new Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia’s CPD standard. The new 3LP also offers value-added features, including a curriculum vitae function and career networking.

The 3LP program was showcased at events such as the RCNA Nursing and Health Expos, the inaugural RCNA Nursing Summit and the RCNA Community and Primary Health Care Nursing Conference, as well as conferences held by key nursing bodies such as the Drug and Alcohol Nurses Australasia, Australian Practice Nurses Association, the Aged Care Workforce Forum and the National Enrolled Nurses Association.

Throughout most of 2010 RCNA hosted and made available to practice nurses and aboriginal health workers a free e-learning training package designed to support Medicare Item 10997. This package, funded by the Department of Health and Ageing, was the outcome of a successful partnership between RCNA, the Australian General Practice Network and the Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education. From 31 August 2010 the package


3lp was revised to support Continuing professional development (Cpd) requirements for nurses

“this work… motivated me, not only to enter a health profession, but to enter one that was community based.”44th patricia chomley memorial oration, Jamie ranse


continued to be offered to all nurses and health workers for a small fee.

2010 was a successful year for the RCNA workshop program. Fifteen workshops were offered around Australia on topics including management and leadership, cancer care, mental health, dementia, delirium and depression, and caring for Muslim patients. A diabetes update workshop was also offered in partnership with the College of Nursing.

endorsement and aCCreditation serviCes

RCNA’s endorsement and accreditation services continued to expand in 2010. RCNA:

� endorsed 147 professional development activities

� accredited 6 courses

� supported 310 organisations in the RCNA APEC program

� supported 460 representatives of the RCNA APEC program.

The APEC program was especially successful with five additional workshops being run, due to high demand. The number of individual endorsement applications for 2010 also saw a steady increase, up from 106 applications in 2009.

With the introduction, on 1 July 2010, of a single national registration and accreditation scheme for health professionals, RCNA continued to recognise the importance of providing a high standard for professional development for its members. RCNA will continue to offer this high standard of service to its members throughout 2011.

5. governanCe

Business sYstems

An evaluation of RCNA’s information communication technology (ICT) system this year demonstrated that RCNA’s key infrastructure and processes were robust. Our systems were reviewed both internally and externally and were shown to be suitable for managing ongoing organisational growth into the future. To supplement our current systems, our ICT team also developed and implemented a staff intranet which assisted in streamlining a range of processes within the organisation.

aCCreditation

In 2010 RCNA focused on a continued improvement journey to lead to ISO 9001:2008 accreditation. The process is due to be completed next year.

sCholarships

RCNA continues to act as the fund administrator for a number of Australian Government Scholarships. This year

we were successful in our highly competitive bid to administer the nursing component of the Nursing and Allied Health Scholarship and Support Scheme (NAHSSS). The NAHSSS scheme includes undergraduate, postgraduate, continuing professional development and clinical placement scholarships.

RCNA continued to administer the Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship Scheme, Aged Care Nursing Scholarship Scheme: Undergraduate, Aged Care Nursing Scholarship Scheme: Postgraduate Continuing Education and Postgraduate Community Aged Care Nursing Scholarship Scheme.

sCholarships reCorded 282 921 hits on the weBsite

managed 21 261 Calls to the 1800 numBer for sCholarship programs

“ our profession can no longer be divided by politics or intraprofessional differences. with the rCna nursing accord 2010, we are committed to moving forward as one.”

26


rCna faCulties

RCNA faculty formation has created a mechanism for recognising distinct areas of professional focus, enhancing networking opportunities, advancing research developments, facilitating knowledge exchange and providing a national nursing voice. RCNA currently have five faculties:

Community and Primary health Care faculty (CPHCF)

health and Wellbeing in Ageing faculty (HWAF)

movement Disorders and Parkinson’s Nurses faculty (MDPNF)

New generation of Nurses faculty (NGNF)

Rural Nursing and midwifery faculty (RNMF)

The NGNF was launched on 27 May 2010 at the RCNA Nursing Summit as a commitment to support and nurture

nurses who are in their first five years post-graduation to ensure a successful passing of the torch from one generation of nurses to the next. The development of the NGNF is an acknowledgement of the fresh ideas, motivations and enthusiasm these nurses bring to the profession and of the unique support they require.

The MDPNF was launched on 9 August 2010 at a reception held at Canberra’s Hotel Realm. The inception of RCNA’s fifth faculty was driven by a small yet dynamic group of experienced and passionate nurses who have spent many years advocating for the creation of a specialty group related to movement disorders and Parkinson’s nursing. The development of the faculty will go a long way to contributing to an increased awareness related to movement disorders and will provide a voice within the nursing profession for these silent yet prevalent disorders.

the rCna faculty formation has created a mechanism for recognising distinct areas of professional focus.”“

Each of the RCNA faculties is overseen by a faculty advisory committee (FAC) made up of RCNA members with expertise in the faculty’s area of focus. The four key objectives of FAC members are:

1. to advance their faculty through the identification of priority issues for action

2. to facilitate opportunities for members through high level communication and the provision of a national forum for nurses, within their respective faculty

3. to position RCNA as the leading organisation to promote and advance professional excellence in the nursing workforce

4. to inform and influence health policy development at federal/state/territory and local levels.

RCNA ANNUAL REPORT | FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2010 27

financial statementsfOR The YeAR eNDeD 31 DeCemBeR 2010

royal College of nursing, AustraliaaBn 69 004 271 103

contents 27

DiReCTORs’ RePORT 28

AuDiTOR’s iNDePeNDeNCe DeClARATiON 34

sTATemeNT Of COmPReheNsive iNCOme 35

sTATemeNT Of fiNANCiAl POsiTiON 36

sTATemeNT Of ChANges iN equiTY 37

CAsh flOW sTATemeNT 38

NOTes TO The fiNANCiAl sTATemeNTs 39

DiReCTORs’ DeClARATiON 57

iNDePeNDeNT AuDiTOR’s RePORT 58










28

ensure the governance structures of rcna are shaped to deliver the goals of the strategic plan.

“...rCna hosted and made availaBle to praCtiCe nurses and aBoriginal health workers a free e-learningtraining paCkage...”

stephanie fox-Young frCna, fCn president

Registered nurse and Fellow of RCNA

Associate Professor, School of Nursing & Midwifery, The University of Queensland

PhD

Fellow of The College of Nursing

Master of Education

Graduate Diploma in Education

Bachelor of Arts (Hons)

paula elliott frCna viCe-president

Registered nurse, midwife, and Fellow of RCNA

Quality and Accreditation Coordinator, Quality and Safety Unit, ACT Health

Master of Nursing

Graduate Diploma in Quality Improvement in Health Care

Certificate IV Workplace Trainer and Assessor



Manager, NurseWest, Health Corporate Network, WA

Master of Health Services Management

Bachelor of Nursing

Compliance Auditor Certificate

2009 Graduate – ICN Global Nursing Leadership Institute – Geneva, Switzerland

Your direCtors present their report on the CompanY for the finanCial Year ended 31 deCemBer 2010. the names and qualifiCations/experienCe of the direCtors in offiCe at anY time during, or sinCe the end of the Year are:

28 directors’ report


John Buxton Board memBer

Managing Partner, DibbsBarker Lawyers

Member of National Board, DibbsBarker Group

Bachelor of Economics

Bachelor of Law

debra Yolande Cerasa frCna, fCn Board memBer

Registered nurse, midwife and Fellow of RCNA

Chief Executive Officer of RCNA

Fellow of The College of Nursing

Master of Education, Leadership and Management

Graduate Certificate in Business Administration

Diploma of Corporate Director

Bachelor of Applied Science (Nursing)

Graduate Diploma of Adult Education & Training

Registered Critical Care Nurse (Intensive Care Unit)

Graduate Certificate in Childbirth Education

Christopher John farrelley Board memBer

Former Chief Information Officer for Medibank Private and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (retired)

Diploma in Corporate Management

Bachelor of Applied Science (Electronics)

Member of the Australian Computer Society (MACS)

Graduate Member Australian Institute of Company Directors (GMAICD)

lynette geri frCna Board memBer (resigned 3 december 2010)

Registered nurse Division 2 (enrolled nurse) and Fellow of RCNA

Health practitioner (Nurses Board of Victoria)

Board Member Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australian

Representative for Aged Care on the Nurses Board of Victoria

President of National Enrolled Nurses of Australia

rhonda gayle heckenberg frCna Board memBer


Fellow Joanna Briggs Institute

Regional Manager South, Presbyterian Care Tasmania

Proprietor/Manager, Dynamic Solutions Aged Care Consultancy, Tasmania

Graduate Diploma in Health Services Management

Graduate Certificate Dementia Studies (Dementia Care Mapping)

Bachelor of Health Science (Gerontic Nursing)

Former Professional Standards Committee Member, Nursing Board of Tasmania

Accredited Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency Assessor

Julie shepherd frCna Board memBer


Managing Director, Bower Bird Information Services NSW

Convener, Nursing Leadership Conference

Masters Degree of Nursing (Mental Health)

Past Chair of the Hunter Valley Chapter Committee of RCNA

Christine smith frCna Board memBer


Self employed nurse consultant

Administrator, Nurse Memorial Centre, Melbourne

Master of Science, (Community Health Nursing), Specialisation in Aged Care and Intensive Care Nursing

BA Administration

Certificate IV in Small Business Management and Workplace Training and Assessment

ian thackray frCna Board memBer


After Hours Hospital Coordinator, Lyell McEwin Hospital, SA

Master of Health Service Management

Bachelor of Nursing

gay lavery frCna Board memBer


Master of Health Management

Graduate Diploma Health Management

Bachelor of Nursing (Hons)

Coronary Care Certificate

Diploma Applied Science (Nursing)

Senior Projects Officer, Poisons Control, Department of Health & Families, Northern Territory

30


3. Make a significant contribution to Australian nursing research

4. Develop RCNA professional standards in order to facilitate professional development, endorsement, credentialling and accreditation services to ‘gold standard’

5. Ensure the governance structures of RCNA are shaped to deliver the goals of the strategic plan

The entity’s long term objectives are to:

1. Mandate membership as part of qualification or national registration scheme, health sector recognition of RCNA as peak body for coordinating regulatory, education and professional agendas for nurses

2. Create a niche in Australia for nursing research using RCNA membership base

3. Link between research and professional development

4. Substantial fiscal security and sustainability from an ever increasing membership base and prudent investment

To achieve these objectives the entity will use the following strategies:

1. memBership

1.1 Develop and implement an integrated recruitment strategy

1.2. Develop and implement an integrated retention strategy

1.3. Develop and implement a comprehensive marketing plan

1.4. Develop and implement a comprehensive communication and media strategic plan

1.5. Develop and implement membership categories based on professional requirements

1.6. Continually observe the market for business opportunities for RCNA in relation to membership

2. poliCY

2.1. Position RCNA as the peak professional body to influence policy direction and development

2.2 Ensure policy positions can be packaged and presented

2.3. Leverage opportunities with governments

2.4. Maintain profile as a representative body

2.5. Strengthen knowledge base

2.6. Communicate RCNA positions

2.7. Identify areas of professional focus

2.8. Utilise faculty membership to inform RCNA position statements and other documents

2.9. Utilise RCNA advisory council membership to inform RCNA policy position statements and other documents

3. researCh

3.1. Ensure research is aligned to policy and education and can be packaged for public and member consumption

3.2. Ensure that research, policy and education are aligned ICDL project – joint Monash University and RCNA project

3.3. Identify new funding sources for research grants

3.4. Establish and develop collaborative arrangements with universities

audit suB-Committee

The names of directors in the Audit Sub-Committee at any time during, or since the end of the year are:

Carmen morgan fRCNA (current chair)

Paula elliott fRCNA

stephanie fox-Young fRCNA, fCN

Christopher John farrelley

Debra Yolande Cerasa fRCNA, fCN

prinCipal aCtivitY

The principal activity of the company during the financial year was the promotion and development of quality nursing practice in Australia through education and research.

The company also acted as trustee for the following trusts during the financial year:

� Laura Saunderson Extended Care Nursing Fund

� Myrtle Ivy Quicke Memorial Grant

� The National Research & Scholarship Fund

� The Victorian Research Fund

No significant change in the nature of these activities occurred during the year.

During the financial year the company included the financial accounts of all scholarship funds in the main accounts.

oBJeCtives

The entity’s short term objectives are:

1. Increase and diversify our nursing membership base in Australia

2. Establish and coordinate a strong position for nursing policy and professional issues within the Australian Government agenda

...nurses have been at the table and involved in key discussions directly influencing clinical, policy, and governance matters across the health sector.”“


3.5. Establish and develop collaborative arrangements with other nursing bodies and organisations

3.6. Promote research capacity with Department of Health and Ageing

3.7. Promote research culture within RCNA

4. professional development

4.1. Ensure professional standards can be packaged and sold to non-members

4.2. Establish health sector recognition

4.3. Develop and implement professional development services

4.4. Identify and support continuing professional development needs of generalist rural nurses and midwives

5. governanCe

5.1. Review and establish membership categories to facilitate growth

5.2. Financial planning process to support work of RCNA and supportive process to support members’ needs in membership turnaround

5.3. Consider and review all opportunities as prospective business opportunities

5.4. Build internal and external resources

5.5. Manage risk for the organisation and ensure RCNA Constitution enables Strategic Plan

5.6. Increase investment in National Scholarship and Research Fund, streamline awards and raise profile of research fund to members

5.7. Identify, develop and manage appropriate business opportunities to consolidate financial viability

5.8. Scholarship sustainability (future proof )

5.9. Govern the organisation effectively and ensure economic sustainability through strong management practice

operating results

The operating loss of the company for the financial year amounted to $421 844 (2009: profit of $492 287).

dividends

The company is a membership organisation. Dividends are therefore not payable by the company.

review of operations

A review of the operations of the company during the financial year and the results of those operations show that during the year, the company continued to engage in its principal activity, the results of which are disclosed in the attached financial statements.

signifiCant Changes in state of affairs

No significant changes in the state of affairs of the company occurred during the financial year.

events suBsequent to BalanCe date

No matters or circumstances have arisen since the end of the financial year which significantly affected or may significantly affect the operations of the company, the results of those operations or the state of affairs of the company in future financial years.

eConomiC dependenCY

One of the Royal College of Nursing, Australia’s main business operations relates to the management of scholarships on behalf of the Department of Health and Ageing. If the Royal College of Nursing, Australia does not maintain the current level of scholarships to manage on behalf of the Department of Health and Ageing their business operations will need to be revised and will need to look at downsizing the scholarship business operations.

future developments

Future developments in the operations of the company and the expected results of those operations in the future financial

years have not been included in this report as the inclusion of such information is likely to result in unreasonable prejudice to the company.

The company is likely to follow the same operational focus as in previous years in 2011. The Joint Venture Agreement with APN Educational Media P/L under which Nursing Review is published will continue in the coming financial year.

environmental issues

The company’s operations are not regulated by any significant environmental regulation under a law of the Commonwealth or of a state or territory. The company has a property at 1 Napier Close DEAKIN ACT. This property is not subject to any notice under any environmental regulations.

Indemnification and Insurance of Officers and Auditors During the year the Company paid a premium of $7250 for directors and officers liability insurance policy.

The insurance covers the directors and officers against any claim by reason of a wrongful act (other than dishonesty) committed by them in their capacity as a director or officer up to a maximum of $10 million. The company has not otherwise, during or since the end of the year given any indemnities or paid insurance premiums, for any person who has been an officer or auditor of the company.

direCtors’ interests and Benefits

Since the end of the previous financial year, no director of the company has received or become entitled to receive any benefit (other than a benefit included in the aggregate amount of remuneration received or due and receivable by directors shown in the financial statements) by reason of a contract made by the parent entity or a related corporation with the director or a firm of which the director is a member, or with a company in which the director has substantial interest.

32


direCtors’ meetings

The number of directors’ meetings (including meetings of committees of directors) and number of meetings attended by each of the directors of the company during the financial year from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2010 are:

Board direCtors Board meetings finanCe & audit suB-Committee

held (during term in office)

attended held (during term in office)

attended

Stephanie Fox-Young 6 6 6 5

Paula Elliott 6 4 6 3

Carmen Morgan 6 6 6 6

John Buxton 6 4 - -

Debra Yolande Cerasa 6 6 6 5

Christopher John Farrelley 6 6 6 6

Lynette Geri (resigned 3 December 2010)

6 4 - -

Rhonda Gayle Heckenberg 6 6 - -

Gay Lavery 6 6 - -

Julie Shepherd 6 6 - -

Christine Smith 6 6 - -

Ian Thackray 6 5 - -

Directors have been in office since the start of the financial year to the date of this report unless otherwise stated.

proCeedings on Behalf of the CompanY

No person has applied for leave of Court to bring proceedings on behalf of the company or intervene in any proceedings to which the company is a party for the purpose of taking responsibility on behalf of the company for all or any part of those proceedings.

The company was not a party to any such proceedings during the year.


auditor’s independenCe deClaration

The auditor’s independence declaration for the year ended 31 December 2010 is set out on page 34.

signed in accordance with a resolution of the Board of directors:

34

34 auditor’s independence declaration


note2010

$2009

$

Continuing operations

Revenue from the sale of goods 2 29,697,618 28,000,827

Employee benefits expenses (3,725,889) (3,291,763)

Advertising and marketing expenses (580,485) (539,501)

Bank fees (48,688) (54,211)

Communication and information technology expense (204,070) (356,262)

Consultancy fees and grants (490,249) (339,798)

Depreciation and amortisation expenses (117,508) (111,926)

Event expenses (656,246) (590,948)

Printing and publishing expenses (697,266) (648,752)

Travel and accommodation expenses (479,078) (453,366)

Scholarships expenses (22,756,005) (20,707,834)

Other expenses from ordinary activities 3 (414,269) (477,442)

Share of net surplus of joint ventures accounted for using the equity method

23 50,291 63,263

Profit/(loss) attributable to members (421,844) 492,287

Other comprehensive income

Gain on revaluation of property - -

Total comprehensive income attributable to members (421,844) 492,287

statement of comprehensive income 35

for the Year ended 31 deCemBer 2010

The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.

36

36 statement of financial position

as at 31 deCemBer 2010

note2010

$2009

$

AsseTs

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents 5 23,488,721 18,951,351

Receivables 6 424,935 5,143,464

Other financial assets 7 50,291 63,263

Other assets 9 109,397 104,152

Total current assets 24,073,344 24,262,230

Non current assets

Property, plant and equipment 8 3,416,322 3,410,302

Total non current assets 3,416,322 3,410,302

TOTAl AsseTs 27,489,666 27,672,532

liABiliTies

Current liabilities

Payables 10 353,737 355,634

Provisions 12 197,908 174,183

Income in advance 13 1,364,782 1,320,752

Scholarships 14 21,181,991 21,503,322

Other liabilities 15 973,821 471,076

Total current liabilities 24,072,239 23,824,967

Non current liabilities

Provisions 12 54,780 63,074

Total non current liabilities 54,780 63,074

TOTAl liABiliTies 24,127,019 23,888,041

NeT AsseTs 3,362,647 3,784,491

equiTY

Reserves 2,968,062 2,968,062

Retained earnings 394,585 816,429

TOTAl equiTY 3,362,647 3,784,491



statement of changes in eQuity 37


reserves $

retained earnings

$

total equitY $

Balance at 1 January 2009 2,968,062 324,142 3,292,204

Surplus for the period - 492,287 492,287

Total comprehensive income for the period - 492,287 492,287

Balance at 31 December 2009 2,968,062 816,429 3,784,491

Balance at 1 January 2010 2,968,062 816,429 3,784,491

Surplus for the period - (421,844) (421,844)

Total comprehensive income for the period - (421,844) (421,844)

Balance at 31 December 2010 2,968,062 394,585 3,362,647


38

38 cash flow statement



note2010

$2009

$

Cash from operating activities

Receipts from customers 2,538,121 3,345,348

Payments to suppliers and employees (32,810,796) (24,103,304)

Interest received 76,390 59,540

Distribution from joint venture 63,263 63,263

Scholarship receipts 27,801,505 20,707,834

Other receipts 6,992,414 2,316,361

Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities 20 4,660,897 2,389,042

Cash flows from investing activities

Purchase of property, plant and equipment (123,527) (154,484)

Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities (123,527) (154,484)

Net increase/(decrease) in cash held 4,537,370 2,234,558

Cash at beginning of financial year 18,951,351 16,716,793

Cash at end of financial year 5 23,488,721 18,951,351


notes to the financial statements 39


1. statement of signifiCant aCCounting poliCies

These financial statements are general purpose financial statements that have been prepared in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001, Australian Accounting Standards and Interpretations, and comply with other requirements of the law and International Financial Reporting Standards.

The Royal College of Nursing, Australia is a company limited by guarantee, incorporated and domiciled in Australia.

Basis of preparation

The accounting policies set out below have been consistently applied to all years presented.

reporting Basis and Conventions

These financial statements have been prepared on an accruals basis and are based on historical costs modified by the measurement at fair value of selected non-current assets, financial assets and financial liabilities.

(a) inCome tax

The company is exempt from income tax under Subdivision 50-B of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 and hence there is no liability for income tax.

(B) inventories

Inventories are measured at the lower of cost and net realisable value.

(C) propertY, plant and equipment

Each class of property, plant and equipment is carried at cost or fair value less, where applicable, any accumulated depreciation and impairment losses.

property

Freehold land and buildings are shown at their fair value (being the amount for which an asset could be exchanged between knowledgeable willing parties in an arm’s length transaction), based on periodic, but at least triennial, valuations by external valuer’s, less subsequent depreciation for buildings.

Increases in carrying amount arising on revaluation of land and building are

credited to a revaluation reserve within equity. Decreases that offset previous increases of the same asset are charged against fair value reserves directly in equity; all other decreases are charged to the statement of comprehensive income. Each year the difference between depreciation based on revalued carrying amount of the asset charged to the statement of comprehensive income and depreciation based on assets original cost is transferred from the revaluation reserve to retained earnings.

Any accumulated depreciation at the date of revaluation is eliminated against the gross carrying amount of the asset and the net amount is restated to the revalued amount of the asset.

Land and buildings are independently valued at least every three years on an existing use basis of valuation and included in the financial report at the revalued amounts.

plant and equipment

Plant and equipment are measured on the cost basis less depreciation and impairment losses.

The carrying amount of plant and equipment is reviewed annually by directors to ensure it is not in excess of the recoverable amount from these assets. The recoverable amount is assessed on the basis of the expected net cash flows that will be received from the assets employment and subsequent disposal. The expected net cash flows have been discounted to their present values in determining recoverable amounts.

depreciation

The depreciable amount of all fixed assets including buildings and capitalised leased assets, but excluding freehold land, is depreciated on a straight-line basis or diminishing value basis over their useful lives to the company commencing from the time the asset is held ready for use. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of either the unexpired period of the lease or the estimated useful lives of the improvements.

The estimated useful lives used for each class of depreciable assets are:

Class of asset useful livesComputer equipment 3 – 4 yearsBuilding 40 yearsPlant and equipment 4 – 20 years

The assets’ residual value and useful lives are reviewed, and adjusted if appropriate, at each balance date.

An asset’s carrying amount is written down immediately to its recoverable amount if the asset’s carrying amount is greater than its estimated recoverable amount.

Gains and losses on disposals are determined by comparing proceeds with the carrying amount. These gains or losses are included in the statement of comprehensive income. When revalued assets are sold, amounts included in the revaluation reserve relating to that asset are transferred to retained earnings.

(d) interests in Joint venture

The company’s interest in a jointly controlled entity that is a partnership is brought to account by applying the equity method of accounting.

(e) reCeivaBles

Trade debtors are to be settled within 30 days and are carried at amounts due. The collectability of debts is assessed at balance date and specific provision is made for any doubtful accounts.

(f) aCCounts paYaBle

Liabilities are recognised for amounts to be paid in the future for goods and services received, whether or not billed to the company. Trade accounts payable are normally settled within 60 days.

(g) leases

Leases of fixed assets where substantially all the risks and benefits incidental to the ownership of the asset, but not the legal ownership transferred to entities in the company are classified as finance leases.

Finance leases are capitalised by recording an asset and a liability at the lower of the amounts equal to the fair value of the leased property or the present value of the

40


40 notes to the financial statements

minimum lease payments, including any guaranteed residual values. Lease payments are allocated between the reduction of the lease liability and the lease interest expense for the period.

Leased assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives where it is likely that the company will obtain ownership of the asset or over the term of the lease.

Lease payments for operating leases, where substantially all of the risks and benefits remain with the lessor, are charged as expenses in the periods in which they are incurred.

Lease incentives under operating leases are recognised as a liability and amortised on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease term.

(h) impairment of assets

At each reporting date, the company reviews the carrying values of its tangible and intangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have been impaired. If such an indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset, being the higher of the asset’s fair value less costs to sell and value in use, is compared to the asset’s carrying value. Any excess of the asset’s carrying value over its recoverable amount is expensed to the statement of comprehensive income.

Impairment testing is performed annually for goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives.

Where it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, the company estimates the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs.

(i) emploYee entitlements

Provision is made for the company’s liability for employee benefits arising from services rendered by employees to balance date. Employee benefits that are expected to be settled within one year have been measured at the amounts expected to be paid when the liability is settled, plus related on-costs. Employee benefits payable later than one year have

been measured at the present value of the estimated future cash outflows to be made for those benefits.

The provision for employee entitlements to annual leave represents the amount which the company has a present obligation to pay resulting from employees’ services provided up to the balance date. The provision has been calculated at nominal amounts based on current wage and salary rates.

Sick leave provided to employees is non-vesting. Accordingly, no liability for sick leave has been calculated. Based on past experience, the sick leave expense for the reporting period is not materially different from the amount of sick leave entitlement accruing during the year.

The liability for employee entitlements to long service leave has been calculated with regard to past experience based on remuneration rates current as at the reporting date for employees with absolute entitlement. The provision for long service leave is not materially different from the result determined by using the present value basis of measurement.

(J) superannuation funds

The company contributes to employer based superannuation funds for its employees. Contributions are made by the company to employee superannuation funds and are charged against income as they are made.

(k) deferred inCome

As per note 1 (u), income from special consultancies, membership and grants is deferred in the statement of financial position until the associated expenditure is brought to account in the statement of comprehensive income.

(l) provisions

Provisions are recognised when the company has a legal or constructive obligation, as a result of past events, for which it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will result and that outflow can be reliably measured.

(m) Cash and Cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short term highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within short term borrowings in current liabilities on the statement of financial position.

(n) revenue

Sales revenue comprises revenue earned from the provision of products or services to entities outside the company. Sales revenue is recognised when goods are provided or when the fees in respect of the services are rendered.

Interest revenue is recognised on a proportional basis taking into account the interest rates applicable to the financial assets. Membership subscription revenue is recognised on a basis that reflects the timing, nature and value of benefits provided.

Dividend revenue for trust accounts is recognised when the right to receive a dividend has been established. All revenue is stated net of the amount of goods and services tax (GST).

(o) goods and serviCes tax (gst)

Revenues, expenses and assets are recognised net of the amount of GST, except where the amount of GST incurred is not recoverable from the Australian Taxation Office. In these circumstances the GST is recognised as part of the cost of acquisition of the asset or as part of an item of the expense. Receivables and payables in the statement of financial position are shown inclusive of GST.

Cash flows are presented in the cash flow statement on a gross basis, except for the GST component of investing and financing activities, which are disclosed as operating cash flows.

(p) trust funds

Separate financial statements are drawn up for the trust funds for which the company is the trustee. The assets and liabilities of these funds are disclosed by way of note in the company’s financial statements.


(q) sCholarship sChemes

The operating activities of the company involve the administration of scholarship schemes on behalf of the Commonwealth of Australia. At 31 December 2010, the unexpended amount of these funds received was $21,129,218 (2009: $21,503,322). The company reports income, expenditure and deferred revenue of the scholarship schemes as part of the financial statements.

(r) Comparative figures

When required by Accounting Standards, comparative figures have been adjusted to conform to changes in presentation for the current financial year.

(s) right of indemnitY

Liabilities incurred on behalf of the trusts are liabilities of the company. The company is entitled to be indemnified out of the trusts’ assets for all liabilities incurred on behalf of the trusts. At balance date, trust assets were sufficient to meet the trustee’s right of indemnity out of trust assets for liabilities incurred on behalf of the trusts. Trust assets supporting the right of indemnity are not available to meet

liabilities incurred by the company acting in its own right.

(t) investment propertY

Investment property, comprising freehold office complexes, is held to generate long-term rental yields. All tenant leases are on arm’s length basis. Investment property is carried at fair value, determined annually by independent valuer’s. Changes to fair value are recorded in the statement of comprehensive income as other income.

(u) grants

Grant revenue is recognised in the statement of comprehensive income when it is controlled. When there are conditions attached to grant revenue relating to the use of those grants for specific purposes, it is recognised in the statement of financial position as deferred income until such conditions are met or services provided.

(v) CritiCal aCCounting estimates

The company evaluates estimates and judgements incorporated into the financial statements based on historical knowledge and best available current information. Estimates assume a reasonable expectation

of future events and are based on current trends and economic data, obtained both externally and within the organisation. No accounting assumptions or estimates have been identified that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next accounting period.

(w) eConomiC dependenCe

One of the Royal College of Nursing, Australia’s main business operations relates to the management of scholarships on behalf of the Department of Health and Ageing. If the Royal College of Nursing, Australia does not maintain the current level of scholarships to manage on behalf of the Department of Health and Ageing, their business operations will need to be revised and will need to look at downsizing the scholarship business operations.

(x) new standards and interpretations issued But not Yet effeCtive

At the date of these financial statements the following standards and interpretations, which are applicable to the entity, have been issued but are not yet effective:

referenCe title summarY appliCation date (finanCial Years Beginning)

expeCted impaCt

AASB 9 Financial Instruments Replaces the requirements of AASB 139 for the classification and measurement of financial assets. This is the result of the first part of Phase 1 of the IASB’s project to replace IAS 39.

1 January 2013 Not expected to be material

2009-11 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards arising from AASB 9

Amends AASB 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 101, 102, 108, 112, 118, 121, 127, 128, 131, 132, 136, 139, 1023 and 1038 and Interpretations 10 and 12 as a result of the issuance of AASB 9.


2010-7 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards arising from AASB 9 (December 2010)

Amends AASB 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 101, 102, 108, 112, 118, 120, 121, 127, 128, 131, 132, 136, 137, 139, 1023 & 1038 and Interpretations 2, 5, 10, 12, 19 & 127 for amendments to AASB 9 in December 2010


42




expeCted impaCt

2009-10 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – Classification of Rights Issues

Amends AASB 132 to clarify the requirements for classification of rights, options and warrants.

1 February 2010

Not applicable to entity

AASB 124 Related Party Disclosures Revised standard. The definition of a related party is simplified to clarify its intended meaning and eliminate inconsistencies from the application of the definition

1 July 2011 Disclosure only

2009-12 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards

Amends AASB 8 Operating Segments as a result of the revised AASB 124. Amends AASB 5, 108, 110, 112, 119, 133, 137, 139, 1023 & 1031 and Interpretations 2, 4, 16, 1039 & 1052 as a result of the annual improvement project.

1 July 2011 Not expected to be material

2009-14 Amendments to Australian Interpretation – Prepayments of a Minimum Funding Requirement

Amends Interpretation 14 AASB 119 – The limit of a Defined Benefit Asset, Minimum Funding Requirements and their Interaction.

1 January 2011 Not applicable to the entity

AASB 1053 Application of Tiers of Australian Accounting Standards

This standard establishes a differential financial reporting framework consisting of two Tiers of reporting requirements for preparing general purpose financial statements.


2010-2 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards arising from Reduced Disclosure Requirements

This Standard gives effect to Australian Accounting Standards – Reduced

Disclosure Requirements and amends AASB 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 101, 102, 107, 108, 110, 111, 112, 116, 117, 119, 121, 123, 124, 127, 128, 131, 133, 134, 136, 137, 138, 140, 141, 1050 & 1052 and Interpretations 2, 4, 5, 15, 17, 127, 129 & 1052.


2010-1 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – Limited Exemption from Comparative AASB 7Disclosures from First-time Adopters

Amends AASB 1 First-time Adoption of Australian Accounting Standards; and AASB 7 Financial Instruments: Disclosures. Principally give effect to extending transitional provisions of AASB 2009-2.


2010-3 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards arising from the Annual Improvements Project

Amends AASB 3, AASB 7, AASB 121, AASB 128, AASB 131, AASB 132 & AASB 139 as a result of the annual improvements project.




expeCted impaCt

2010-4 Further Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards arising from the Annual Improvements Project

Amends AASB 1, AASB 7, AASB 101 & AASB 134 and Interpretation 13 as a result of the annual improvements project.


2010-5 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards

Amends AASB 1, 3, 4, 5, 101, 107, 112, 118, 119, 121, 132, 133, 134, 137, 139, 140, 1023 & 1038 and Interpretations 112, 115, 127, 132 & 1042 for editorial corrections


2010-6 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – Disclosures on Transfers of Financial Assets

This Standard adds and amends disclosure requirements about transfers of financial assets, including in respect of the nature of the financial assets involved and the risks associated with them.


Interpretation 19

Extinguishing Financial Liabilities with Equity Instruments

This Interpretation addresses the accounting by an entity when the terms of a financial liability are renegotiated and result in the entity issuing equity instruments to a creditor of the entity to extinguish all or part of the financial liability. It does not address the accounting by the creditor.


2009-13 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards arising from Interpretation 19

This Standard amends to AASB 1 as a result of the issuance of Interpretation 19.


2010-8 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – Deferred Tax: Recovery of Underlying Assets

Amends AASB 112 to introduce a rebuttable presumption that an investment property is recovered entirely through sale. for the purpose of measuring deferred tax.


2010-9 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – Severe Hyperinflation and Removal of Fixed Dates for First-time Adopters

Amends AASB 1 for first-time adopters 1 July 2011 Not applicable to the entity

2010-10 Further Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – Removal of Fixed Dates for First-time Adopters

Amends AASB 1 for first-time adopters 1 January 2013 Not applicable to the entity

44



2. revenue from ordinarY aCtivities2010

$2009

$

Operating activities

– Members subscriptions 2,479,280 2,471,358

Other activities

– Consultancies, grants & sponsorship 2,625,641 2,792,370

– Conferences and workshops 985,817 981,422

– Endorsements received 52,816 43,457

– Rent 26,352 13,563

– Scholarships 22,756,005 20,707,834

– Sundry income 771,707 990,823

Total revenue 29,697,618 28,000,827

3. profit from ordinarY aCtivities

Bad and doubtful debts - trade receivables (37,530) 5,751

Rental expense on operating leases – minimum lease payments 47,718 43,969

Depreciation/Amortisation 117,508 111,926

Movement in provisions - employee entitlements 29,163 26,595

4. auditors’ remuneration

Remuneration of the auditor of the company for:

– Auditing or reviewing the financial report 35,000 35,000

– Other assurance services 37,000 30,000

Total auditors’ remuneration 72,000 65,000


5. Cash assets 2010 $

2009 $

Cash on hand 550 550

Bank balances 23,488,171 18,950,801

Total cash assets 23,488,721 18,951,351

reConCiliation of Cash

Cash at the end of the financial year as shown in the statement of cash flows is reconciled to items in the statement of financial position as follows:

Cash and cash equivalents 23,488,721 18,951,351

6. reCeivaBles

Trade receivables 410,445 5,129,937

Less: Allowance for doubtful debts (9,788) (61,260)

400,657 5,068,677

FBT receivable - 30,476

Amounts owing from trusts:

MyrtleI Ivy Quicke Memorial Grant 1,695 21,111

The Sister Margaret Y Winning Fund 2,203 1,073

The National Research & Scholarship Fund 5,515 9,205

The Victorian Research Fund 12,995 5,011

NBVLL Trust (1,000) -

Clearing Trust 1,175 -

Laura Saunderson Extended Care Nursing Fund 1,695 7,911

Total Receivables 424,935 5,143,464

46



(a) analYsis of allowanCe for douBtful deBts

Provision for doubtful debts

Opening balance at 1 January 2010 61,261

Movement in provision (51,473)

At 31 December 2010 9,788

7. investments aCCounted for using the equitY method

Investments in joint venture (Note 23) 50,291 63,263


8. propertY plant and equipment 2010 $

2009 $

Leasehold Land: 1 Napier Cl Deakin ACT

– at independent valuation 950,000 950,000

950,000 950,000

Leasehold Buildings: 1 Napier Close Deakin ACT

– at independent valuation 2,150,000 2,150,000

Accumulated depreciation (107,500) (53,750)

2,042,500 2,096,250

Improvements at cost 318,351 318,350


241,027 271,381

Office furniture & fittings at cost 115,296 75,963


88,399 54,770

Office equipment at cost 47,653 45,979


14,556 15,446

Computer equipment at cost 198,142 115,621


79,840 22,455

Total 3,416,322 3,410,302

48



revaluation

Land and Buildings were revalued upwards to $3,100,000 as at 31 December 2008. The valuation amount was based on current market value according to an independent valuation. The independent valuation was carried out by Matthew Curtis AAPI, Certified Practicing Valuer of Colliers International Consultancy Valuation Pty Limited. The directors have determined that the fair value as at 31 December 2010 is not expected to be materially different to the current carrying value.

(a) Movements in carrying amounts for each class of property, plant and equipment between the beginning and the end of the current financial year and the comparative year.

freehold land

$

Building

$

improvements

$

offiCe equipment

$

Computer

equipment

$

intangiBle

$

offiCe furniture

& fit-tings

$

total

$

Opening balance as at 1 January 2009

950,000 2,150,000 170,138 13,416 35,901 6,894 41,397 3,367,746

Additions - - 126,009 5,178 5,135 - 18,160 154,482

Depreciation expense

- (53,750) (24,766) (3,148) (18,581) (6,894) (4,787) (111,926)

Carrying amount at 31 December 2009

950,000 2,096,250 271,381 15,446 22,455 - 54,770 3,410,302

Opening balance as at 1 January 2010

950,000 2,096,250 271,381 15,446 22,455 - 54,770 3,410,302

Additions - - - 1,674 82,521 - 39,333 123,528

Depreciation expense

- (53,750) (30,354) (2,564) (25,136) - (5,704) (117,508)

2010 950,000 2,042,500 241,027 14,556 79,840 - 88,399 3,416,322


9. other assets 2010 $

2009 $

Prepayments 65,671 86,703

Security deposits 43,726 13,527

Accrued interest - 3,922

Total other assets 109,397 104,152

10. paYaBles

Trade creditors 232,347 320,634

Accrued expenses 121,390 35,000

Total payables 353,737 355,634

11. finanCing arrangements

The company has access to the following lines of credit:

Credit card facilities 82,500 50,000

82,500 50,000

Facilities utilised at balance date: Credit card facilities 6,562 9,437

Facilities not utilised at balance date: Credit card facilities 75,938 40,563

82,500 50,000

50



12. provisions 2010 $

2009 $

employee benefits

Current

Annual leave 150,600 152,224

Long service leave 47,308 21,959

Total current provisions 197,908 174,183

Non-current

Long service leave 54,780 63,074

Total non-current provisions 54,780 63,074

A provision has been recognised for employee entitlements relating to annual and long service leave for employees. In calculating the present value of future cash flows in respect of long service leave, the probability of long service leave being taken is based upon historical data. The measurement and recognition criteria for employee benefits have been included in note 1(i).

13. inCome in advanCe

Administration funds 645,323 1,007,079

Membership income 466,614 313,673

Exposition income 252,845 -

Total income in advance 1,364,782 1,320,752


14. deferred revenue – sCholarships 2010 $

2009 $

Nurse Scholarship Program 711,610 988,373

Rural & Remote Undergraduate Scholarship Scheme 5,370,031 9,379,436

Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship Scheme 746,437 880,083

Aged Care Nursing Scholarship Scheme 1,710,818 2,230,238

Continuing Professional Education Scheme 1,413,682 3,339,801

National and Allied Health Scholarship and Support Scheme 8,841,832 -

National Mentor Program Support 103,491 96,866

Practice Nurse Scholarship Fund 279,690 -

Mental Health Post-Graduate & Clinical Psychology Scholarship Scheme 1,023,774 2,546,549

Bring Nurses Back to Work - 602,953

PG Community Nursing Community Scholarship 742,282 841,628

Nurse Practitioner Scholarship Fund 238,344 597,395

Total deferred scholarship funds 21,181,991 21,503,322

15. other liaBilities

PAYG 77,192 -

Superannuation payable 792 524

FBT Payable 8,360 -

GST payable 808,396 452,696

Other creditors 79,081 17,856

Total other liabilities 973,821 471,076

16. memBers guarantee

The company is limited by guarantee. If the company is wound up, the Constitution states that each member is required to contribute a maximum of $20 each towards meeting any outstanding obligations of the company. At 31 December 2010, the number of members was 7906 (2009: 7568).

17. Contingent liaBilities

No contingent liabilities existed at balance date.

52



18. Capital and leasing Commitments

operating lease Commitments

Non-cancellable operating leases contracted for but not capitalised in the financial statements

2010 $

2009 $

Payable - minimum lease payments

– Not later than 12 months 44,138 43,969

– Between 12 months and 5 years 14,995 32,977

59,133 76,946

There are two operating leases. The first operating lease relates to a three-year operating leases on computer equipment by NAB. The lease term is from October 2008 to September 2011. The second operating lease relates to a 48 month operating lease for two photocopiers by Alleasing. The lease term is from June 2010 to June 2014.

19. related partY transaCtions

(a) direCtors

The names of each person holding the position of Director of Royal College of Nursing, Australia during the financial year:

Stephanie Fox-Young FRNCA, FCN

Paula Elliott FRNCA

Carmen Morgan FRNCA

John Buxton

Debra Yolanda Cerasa FRCNA, FCN

Christopher John Farrelley

Lynette Geri FRCNA

Rhonda Gayle Heckenberg FRCNA

Gay Lavery FRCNA

Julie Shepherd FRCNA

Christine Smith FRCNA

Ian Thackray FRCNA

(B) remuneration of direCtors

The directors do not receive any remuneration except for reimbursement of expenses.

(C) retirement Benefits and superannuation ContriButions

No amounts were paid to superannuation funds in connection with the retirement of directors. No retirement allowances were paid in connection with the retirement of directors.

(d) direCtors transaCtions with the CompanY

No director has entered into a material contract with the company. Since the end of the previous financial year there are no material contracts involving directors’ interests subsisting at year end.


20. Cash flow information

(a) reConCiliation of Cash flow from operations with surplus from ordinarY aCtivities after inCome tax

2010 $

2009 $

Surplus from ordinary activities (421,844) 492,287

Add/(less) non-cash items:

Net cash flow provided by operating activities before change in assets and liabilities 117,508 111,926

Change in assets and liabilities during the year:

Increase/(decrease) in receivables 4,695,915 (4,370,367)

(Decrease)/increase in other assets 7,726 37,886

(Increase)/decrease in payables (1,897) 119,688

Increase/(decrease) in scholarships (321,331) 5,338,454

(Increase)/decrease in provisions 59,461 366,433

(Increase)/decrease in other liabilities 525,359 292,735

Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities 4,660,897 2,389,042

54



2010 note weighted average interest

rate

floating interest

rate

interest Bearing

non interest Bearing

total

Financial assets

Cash and cash equivalent 5 2.65% - 23,488,171 - 23,488,171

Receivables 6 - - - 424,935 424,935

Other financial assets 7 - - - 50,291 50,291

2.65% - 23,488,171 475,226 23,963,397

Financial liabilities

Payables 10 - - - 353,737 353,737

Employee entitlements 12 - - - 252,688 252,688

Income in advance 13 - - - 1,364,782 1,364,782

Scholarships 14 - - - 21,181,991 21,181,991

- - - 23,153,198 23,153,198

2009

Financial assets

Cash and cash equivalent 5 1.75% - 18,951,351 - 18,951,351

Receivables 6 - - - 5,143,464 5,143,464

Other financial assets 7 - - - 63,263 63,263

1.75% - 18,951,351 5,206,727 24,158,078

Financial liabilities

Payables 10 - - - 355,634 355,634

Employee entitlements 12 - - - 237,257 237,257

Income in advance 13 - - - 1,320,752 1,320,752

Scholarships 14 - - - 21,503,322 21,503,322

- - - 23,416,965 23,416,965

21. finanCial instruments

(a) interest rate risk

interest rate risk exposures

The company’s exposure to interest rate risk, which is the risk that a financial instrument’s value will fluctuate as a result of changes in market interest rates, and the effective weighted average interest rate for classes of financial assets and financial liabilities, is set out below:

(B) Credit risk

Credit risk represents the loss that would be recognised if counter-parties failed to perform as contracted. There are no balances past due and not impaired.


on-balance sheet financial instruments

The credit risk on financial assets, excluding investments, of the company which have been recognised on the statement of financial position, is the carrying amount, net of any provision for doubtful debts. The company minimises concentrations of credit risk by undertaking transactions with a large number of customer and counter-parties. The company is not materially exposed to any individual overseas country or individual customer. Concentrations of credit risk on trade debtors and term debtors due from customers are from consultancies, conferences, workshops and publications.

2010 $

2009 $

(a) Movements during the year in equity accounted investment in joint venture

Balance at beginning of the financial year 63,263 67,758

Add: Share of joint venture’s (loss)/profit for ordinary activities after income tax 50,291 63,263

Less: Distribution of profits from joint venture (63,263) (67,758)

Balance at end of the financial year 50,291 63,263

(b) Retained earnings attributable to interest in joint venture

Balance at the beginning of the financial year 63,263 67,758

Add: Share of net (loss)/profit of joint venture’s operating profit after income tax 50,291 63,263

Less: Distribution of profits from joint venture (63,263) (67,758)

Balance at end of the financial year 50,291 63,263

(c) Share of joint venture’s results and financial position

Current assets 267,341 193,524

Total assets 267,341 193,524

Current liabilities (217,050) (130,261)

Total liabilities (217,050) (130,261)

Net assets 50,291 63,263

Revenues 420,220 455,422

Expenses (369,929) (392,159)

Surplus from ordinary activities before income tax 50,291 63,263

Net operating surplus after income tax of joint venture 50,291 63,263

23. interest in Joint venture

Associate: Nursing Review Principal Activity: Monthly publication Balance date: 31 December 2009

56

24. trust funds 2010 $

2009 $

Trust assets

Myrtle Ivy Quicke Memorial Grants 73,085 91,844




888,986 965,932

Trust liabilities

Myrtle Ivy Quicke Memorial Grants 1,695 21,111




21,900 43,238

Net assets 867,086 922,694

25. keY management personnel

The aggregate compensation of key management personnel of the company is set out below:

Short term benefits 687,976 667,817

Long term benefits 3,812 -

Post employment benefits 59,988 58,123

Total benefits 751,776 725,940

26. CompanY details

registered offiCe

The registered office of the company is:

Royal College of Nursing, Australia1 Napier Close DEAKIN ACT 2600




directors’ declaration 57

The directors of the company declare that:

1. The financial statements and notes, as set out on pages 35 to 56, are in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001 and: (a) Comply with Accounting Standards; and

(b) Give a true and fair view of the financial position as at 31 December 2010 and of the performance for the year ended on that date of the company;

2. In the directors’ opinion, there are reasonable grounds to believe that the company will be able to pay its debts as and when they become due and payable.

This declaration is made in accordance with a resolution of the Board of Directors.

58

58 independent auditor’s report


RCNA Australian member of iCN

RCNA Annual Report 2010

Documents

nursing profession

profession of nursing

professional status

professionalism of nursing

professional community

australia rcna

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