About RUCN

RUCN is a state wide education program, offering tailored online materials, face-to-face activities and clinical placement opportunities for nurses working in Urgent Care Centres (UCCs)
The program was developed in consultation with stakeholders across Victoria, including nurses working in UCCs, Directors of Nursing and Health Service Executives, providers of existing programs, multiple government departments and other professional bodies. The program was drawn from the exceptional knowledge and experience of nurses across Victoria to create a relevant, convenient, high-quality program. The objective is to empower nurses working in Urgent Care Centres and connect them with information, systems and other resources to support nursing practice in this complex and demanding clinical setting.

This program is an initiative of the Victorian Department of Health to support Victoria’s rural nursing workforce. Alfred Health Emergency is honoured to have been selected as the coordinating centre for the development and implementation of activities and resources.

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RUCN Team

What is the RUCN

In a nutshell, the Rural Urgent Care Nursing – Capability Development Program (RUCN-CDP), provides education and resources which assist health services and staff to develop or enhance the skills and confidence required to work in Urgent Care Centres.

The program is an initiative of the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services to support Victoria’s nursing workforce. The initial 3.5 year project commenced in mid-December 2019 and has been extended until July 2024.

What does the RUCN - CPD Offer?

The program provides professional development, linkages and mentoring support to nurses working in Victorian Urgent Care Centres.

All resources have been created or curated specifically for this program. They are entirely contextualised to the Urgent Care Setting.

Available Resources Include :

Online learning resources – easy to use, very flexibly completed over a number of weeks or months with readily available remote support and mentoring.
Clinical placement – organised by the program to expose nurses to other urgent or emergency care settings.
Face-to-face workshop – to practice skills and build confidence in UCC nursing in a convenient rural location planned up to 12 months in advance.
An open access “one stop shop” online resource library which aggregates the resources required to guide practice in the UCC setting.

How will this program support my staff, my health service and my community?

Encouraging and enabling your staff to complete this program can assist you to:

Lower your clinical risk
Provide a standardised baseline of skills and confidence for your nursing working in your UCCs
Improve your workforce engagement
Create or enhance state-wide networks for nurses working in UCCs
Contribute to ensuring that the care provided to your community is safe, based on current evidence and high quality

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What can this program offer nurses working in UCC’s?

The program provides a “one stop shop” for resources, professional development activities, linkages and support to nurses working in Victorian Urgent Care Centres. 

The program is relevant to nurses with all levels of experience from any clinical specialty. The program can be tailored individually to every nurse who participates, with the ongoing support of a Clinical Nurse Educator – usually based in your health service region. 

The professional development resources will be contextualised in the UCC setting. They are being developed with respect to the varying models of care and are being created in collaboration with nurses working in UCCs, for nurses working in UCCs.

Expressions of interest are now open

Why would I participate in this program?

Here is our long list of reasons!

You should feel better prepared and more confident for your UCC shifts.
You can tailor this program to your preferences, your schedule and your own professional development goals.
The program does not require substantial release from your clinical roster or personal commitments.
The program does not require travel to metropolitan Melbourne.
The program is unique because it is has been specifically created to address the priorities and realities of nurses working in Victorian UCCs.
You will be personally supported by program staff who will be easily accessible to you via phone and email.
You will have multiple opportunities to expand your professional networks across your region and the state.
Your participation will not be assessed – the program purpose is to support you to feel confident and resourced on your UCC shifts.
If you opt to do a clinical placement or attend a workshop, you and your Health Service will receive wage and travel funding from the program to enable you to attend.

Program Details

Tara Kimberley

Clinical Nurse Educator
Barwon South West & Hume

Tracy Kidd

Clinical Nurse Educator
Loddon Mallee & Grampians

Eryn McGuinness

Clinical Nurse Educator
Gippsland & Hume

Claire Schepers

Clinical & Education Lead

Kate Hancock

Clinical Placement Coordinator

Nicole Doherty

Program Administrator

Jessica Cowan

Program Manager

Nikki Farmer

Teaching Lead

Rural Urgent Care Nursing Program

The Rural Urgent Care Nursing – Capability Development Program (RUCN-CDP) is a Department of Health funded, state-wide program that supports rural health service nurses to maintain the skills and confidence to work in Urgent Care Centres across Victoria.

Core Program

Resource Library

Clinical Reference Group

Online Module Login