OBJECTIVE: To examine the role of the registered nurse in remote and isolated areas of Queensland, the Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia; and to illustrate the impact of the burden of disease on nursing practice. DATA SOURCES: A literature search was undertaken using electronic databases and the grey literature (including policy documents, project reports and position descriptions). DATA SYNTHESIS: The role of the nurse in remote areas is diverse, and varies according to the context of practice. Although some states and territories offer formal programs to prepare nurses for the role, it is unclear whether this is routinely provided. The burden of disease is higher in remote Australia, and although nurses work to reduce the burden, the need to provide primary care can be at the expense of primary health care. CONCLUSIONS: Whilst the nature of nursing practice is influenced by many factors, considerable agreement exists between states and territories around the role of the registered nurses in remote and isolated communities. The higher burden of disease in remote and isolated areas of Australia impacts on nursing practice, and nurses are uniquely placed to assist in reducing the burden of disease. Greater agreement around what constitutes 'remote' is needed.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the role of the registered nurse in remote and isolated areas of Queensland, the Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia; and to illustrate the impact of the burden of disease on nursing practice. DATA SOURCES: A literature search was undertaken using electronic databases and the grey literature (including policy documents, project reports and position descriptions). DATA SYNTHESIS: The role of the nurse in remote areas is diverse, and varies according to the context of practice. Although some states and territories offer formal programs to prepare nurses for the role, it is unclear whether this is routinely provided. The burden of disease is higher in remote Australia, and although nurses work to reduce the burden, the need to provide primary care can be at the expense of primary health care. CONCLUSIONS: Whilst the nature of nursing practice is influenced by many factors, considerable agreement exists between states and territories around the role of the registered nurses in remote and isolated communities. The higher burden of disease in remote and isolated areas of Australia impacts on nursing practice, and nurses are uniquely placed to assist in reducing the burden of disease. Greater agreement around what constitutes 'remote' is needed.