Education and Training

The Nursing Education, Research and Leadership Unit (NERLU)

The Nursing Education, Research and Leadership Unit (NERLU) is based at Sydney Hospital and Sydney Eye Hospital (SSEH), co-located on one site, under one administrative umbrella.

NERLU consists of a group of experienced and well-credentialed Clinical Nurse Educators, Clinical Nurse Consultants (Hand, Ophthalmology, General Medicine, Emergency and Disaster, and Diabetes) and a Nurse Educator, who provides education, training and research opportunities for all nurses across the facility and externally. Our Clinical Nurse Consultants are clinical leaders who also provide a consultancy service, specialty service planning, and case-manage complex care patients. The suite of programs on offer from NERLU provides professional development and career pathways in the following specialities; Emergency, General Medicine, Hands, Ophthalmology, and Perioperative. A Diversity Health Coordinator is also part of the team and provides education for staff in relation to the diverse population who access the SSEH services.

NERLU is committed to sustaining a culture of learning and development across the organisation, ensuring the lifelong learning process is supported for nursing staff across the continuum of experience, from the newly graduated nurse through to the advanced practitioner.

The NERLU staff provide timely and appropriate in-services and specialty in-house courses for all staff to attend. These in-services, courses and workshops are designed to meet the needs of busy clinicians interested in keeping abreast of updates in practice, learning new knowledge and skills and refreshing current skills. A variety of modalities are utilised in providing appropriate and timely education for staff including face-to-face, experiential learning, online modules, online videos and online step-by-step procedures.

Additionally, NERLU offers specialty-specific courses (Hands and Ophthalmology) to assist nurses in developing their required skills and knowledge, based on professional pathways that assist in career progression in their chosen specialty.

NERLU is working closely with education providers to assist staff in gaining postgraduate qualifications in a variety of specialty areas. Additionally, SSEH is proud to support School-Based Apprenticeships and Trainee Programs through its partnership with TAFE and local schools.
NERLU undertakes clinical research throughout the specialties and encourages staff to become involved in action research in the unit. NERLU staff provide support and assistance to ensure nurses develop the required skills to participate in research projects.

Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospital offers evidence-based professional development opportunities for nurses in the ophthalmic specialty.

Ophthalmic courses for Enrolled and Registered Nurses

Fundamental Aspects of Ophthalmic Nursing

This two-day seminar is designed for Enrolled Nurses and/or Registered Nurses who are interested in updating or acquiring knowledge and skills in ophthalmology. The seminar will comprise of lectures and practical sessions for clinical based skill development.

Click here for more information.

Retinal Disease and Disorders Seminar

This seminar is designed for registered nurses keen to improve their knowledge and understanding of retinal disorders. The seminar will have a strong emphasis on current evidence-based practice and clinical reasoning in the treatment planning of retinal disorders. Participants will be provided opportunities to develop their clinical knowledge and application to practice.

Click here for more information.

Ocular-Anterior Segment Seminar

This seminar is designed for nurses keen to improve their knowledge and understanding of anterior segment disorders (Cornea, Anterior& Posterior Chamber/ Lens). This seminar will have a strong emphasis on current evidence-based practice and clinical reasoning in the treatment planning of relevant disorders. Participants will be provided opportunities to develop their clinical skills.

Click here for more information.

Ophthalmic Skills Workshop

This workshop intent is to provide an opportunity for nurses to foster growth in Ophthalmic practice. Utilising various ophthalmic skill stations, participants will acquire knowledge, skills, and attributes in performing ophthalmic procedural techniques. Practice hands on clinical skills to aid in the assessment of eye conditions. The skill stations comprise of mini-interactive lectures and hands on practice.

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Eye Emergency Management Seminar

This one-day seminar provides an interactive, and practice-based learning opportunity for emergency nurses to develop their skills and understanding around the management of ocular trauma. 

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Systemic Disease and the Eye Workshop

This seminar is designed for nurses keen to improve their knowledge and understanding of the relationship between systemic conditions and ocular manifestations. This seminar will have a strong emphasis on current evidence-based practice and clinical reasoning in the treatment planning of relevant disorders.

Click here for more information.

Low Vision Workshop

This workshop brings together varies health professionals to explore the challenges of being blind or having low vision whilst navigating the hospital setting. Health delivery is inclusive, person-centred, and accessible as defined by the NSW Health Disability Plan. This workshop will provide the staff with the tools they need to engage with people who are blind or have low vision, to ensure that their care is optimal, and they feel safe within the hospital environment.

Click here for more information. 

Registration

To register for the above courses, click here to download the registration form.

2023 Training Calendar

To download the 2023 Training Calendar, click here.

Ophthalmic Specialist Nurse Program

Registered Nurses employed at Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospital can apply to enrol in the Ophthalmic Specialist Nurse Program. This program provides an ophthalmic specialist nurse development pathway through the provision of a structured two-year ophthalmic clinical placement program. Ophthalmic Specialist Nurse Program nurses undertake individualised ophthalmic nursing clinical learning and development activities in each placement as well as complete their Graduate Certificate studies in Ophthalmic Nursing with the University of Notre Dame, Australia. The Sydney Eye Hospital Foundation generously provides a scholarship to support participants with their graduate certificate subject fees.

Hand courses for Nurses and Allied Health Professionals

The Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospital Hand Unit offers two courses for Enrolled and Registered Nurses who are wishing to increase their knowledge in the speciality of Hand surgery.

Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospital Hand Nursing Management

This seminar is designed for Registered and Enrolled Nurses (ward based, and new to operating theatres) who are interested in improving their knowledge, skills acquisition and application of these in the management of patients with hand injuries and conditions.

The seminar will comprise of a combination of lectures and practical workshops, conducted by senior clinicians working at Sydney Hospital Hand Unit, which will provide participants with opportunities to develop their clinical knowledge and application to practice.

Click here for the Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospital Hand Wound Management flyer being held on 12th November, 2020.

Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospital Hand Wound Management

This seminar is designed for Nurses, Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists who are interested in improving their knowledge, skills and their application in hand wound management. The seminar will have a strong emphasis on current evidence based practice and clinical reasoning in treatment planning. The seminar will comprise of a combination of lectures and practical workshops, conducted by senior clinicians working at Sydney Hospital Hand Unit, providing participants with opportunities to develop their clinical knowledge and application to practice.

Click here for the Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospital Hand Wound Management flyer being held on 4th September, 2020.

Registration Form for courses at Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospital

To register for the above courses, click here to download the registration form.

Hand courses for Allied Health Professionals

The Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospital Hand Unit offers two courses for Enrolled and Registered Nurses who are wishing to increase their knowledge in the speciality of hand surgery.

Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospital Hand Wound Management

This seminar is designed for Nurses, Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists who are interested in improving their knowledge, skills and their application in hand wound management. The seminar will have a strong emphasis on current evidence based practice and clinical reasoning in treatment planning. The seminar will comprise of a combination of lectures and practical workshops, conducted by senior clinicians working at Sydney Hospital Hand Unit, providing participants with opportunities to develop their clinical knowledge and application to practice.

Click here for the Sydney Hospital and Sydney Eye Hospital Hand Wound Management flyer.

Registration Form for courses at Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospital

To register for the above courses, click here to download the registration form.

Registration Form for courses at Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospital

To register for the above courses, click here to download the registration form.