CQ Health Nurse Practitioner Jason Harrison has been named Nurse Practitioner of the Year at the Australian College of Nurse Practitioners annual conference in Melbourne.
Jason’s passion is in alcohol and other drugs support, and he is widely regarded by his peers throughout Queensland and interstate.
He has worked in the public health sector for 26 years, with 18 of those in the Alcohol and Other Drugs Service and 10 years as a nurse practitioner.
Nurse practitioner is a relatively new career pathway for senior registered nurses who have the experience, expertise and authority to diagnose and treat people with a variety of acute or chronic conditions. They have completed a Master’s degree and are the most senior and independent clinical nurses in the healthcare system. It provides nurses the opportunity to remain working on the frontline with a total clinical focus rather than moving into management or senior education roles.
Jason is passionate about promoting the career pathway to grow and develop more nurse practitioners, with the goal of improving healthcare access to patients.
He is most passionate about supporting patients with substance abuse issues and keeping them engaged with the health service to keep them well. He loves working holistically with his clients and building a rapport.
CQ Health has 24 nurse practitioners working across the region in many areas including alcohol and other drugs, emergency, renal, palliative care, sexual assault care, mental health, cardiac services, chronic respiratory, and geriatrics. They are senior members of the multi-disciplinary teams and are greatly valued for their skills and expertise.