YEAR IN REVIEW 2022–2023
Emeritus Professor Christine Duffield FACN
Last year we celebrated 10 years as the Australian College of Nursing (ACN). I have had the privilege to be President and Chair of the Board for seven of these years and witnessed many changes.
Our membership has changed. There has been considerable growth in those under the age of 39 and our membership has grown by 39 per cent. While that only represents 2.53 per cent of working nurses, we must remember we are competing with 56 other nursing organisations in this country.
Our Board has changed. The Board Skills Matrix ensures we have a balanced Board of high performing individuals capable of managing what is now a large business enterprise. We attract quality independent directors who complement the expertise of the seven directors elected by and from the membership. Our influence within the profession has changed. ACN took the lead in developing The Nurse Executive Capability Framework, the first such document in Australia. In 2016 we had one White Paper and three Position Papers. We now have nearly 70 White Papers, Clinical Standards documents, and Position and Discussion Papers, each of which now has an ISBN number so we can monitor our influence. This has required nearly 58,000 engagements. Last year alone we had 1.9M website views!
The programs we offer have changed. We have expanded our range of graduate certificate course offerings. The ACN Institute of Leadership now offers the Emerging Nurse Leader, Mid-Career and Nurse Executive Leadership programs and this year we will add to our profile with the Nursing Unit Manager and Emerging Nurse Researcher programs, and CPD to prepare nurses for Board positions.
The way we interact with our membership has changed. The introduction of NEO and NurseStrong has enhanced our social media presence. Our Regions have been refreshed and are beginning to offer networking and CPD. The transition of Communities of Interest to Faculties ensures expertise is consolidated and can be used to drive policy, practice and education.
Our business has changed. Over 215,000 clinicians enrolled in our COVID-19 Vaccination Training Program funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. We have a philanthropic arm in the ACN Foundation which is funding an increasing a number of scholarships and projects, including the first Policy Fellows program for nurses in Australia. The biggest undertaking to date, the Bullwinkel Project, includes fundraising for the bronze statue of Lieutenant Colonel Vivian Bullwinkel AO, MBE, ARRC, ED, FNM, FRCNA which will be gifted to the Australian War Memorial this year and
placed on their grounds, the first nurse and woman to have this honour.
Our international presence has changed. We provided training during the pandemic to upskill our colleagues in the Pacific Rim. Recently the Board approved the provision of scholarships for two Nursing Leaders from the Pacific Nations to attend our Institute of Leadership Nurse Executive Program.
However, some of what we do has not changed. We continue to manage over $39M in scholarship funds. Our bipartisanship ensures our CEO is constantly liaising with politicians advocating for our profession and its role in health care provision.
Most importantly, what hasn’t changed is that we are still a membership organisation, one that represents and provides a voice for all nurses. However, our growth in representation comes at a price: we can’t be all things to all people. That said, we focus on maintaining the integrity and progression of the nursing profession and we are in a much stronger position now to be Shaping Health, Advancing Nursing.
Reflecting back on seven years, I would like to thank those of you who insisted I stand for the Board, those who voted for me, the Board for supporting me and the CEO and staff, without whom none of this would be possible.
As CEO of the Australian College of Nursing (ACN), I could not be prouder of the achievements of our exceptional Tribe. The last 12 months have seen the nursing profession deal with seemingly insurmountable pressures with the grace and dedication that nurses are so well known for, and we have risen to the occasion.
I have spent much of this year lobbying to improve conditions for nurses, from tax-free bonuses for nurses working through the pandemic, to removing HECS debts for nurses. I have met with the Minister for Skills and Training, The Hon Brendan O’Connor MP to discuss the workforce shortages and what can be done to address this ongoing issue. Nursing is more than a profession. We deliver high quality care to improve the health and wellbeing of the communities we serve. We should be remunerated accordingly and afforded training and investment in line with our impact to all Australians.
You will see through these pages that ACN did not stop at just one Member of Parliament. We are devoted to our cause, our policy and our profession and will work with politicians in both houses, backbench and crossbench, and all parties, to see us work collaboratively towards a realistic approach to the aged care nursing requirements and ensuring we have safe workplaces.
This year has seen nurses recognised on a national level with our profession being described as instrumental in keeping the Australian health system running by Treasurer Jim Chalmers in his Budget night speech. Hearing the Treasurer refer to nurses and confirm that the Government plans reviews to remove bureaucratic barriers to increase our scope of practice is long overdue. It was a proud moment for me as the leader of the nursing peak body. This history-making year will see the unveiling of the sculpture of Lieutenant Colonel Vivian Bullwinkel AO, MBE, ARRC, ED, FNM, FRCNA in the grounds of the
Australian War Memorial in August. As I write this, her sculpture is being forged and brought to life along with a touching tribute to her 21 fallen colleagues. I thought of our Tribe often when I visited Bangka Island in May. I thought of the legacy these women leave behind and how it has been etched into who we are as Australian nurses. I was touched and moved while standing on the shores where those brave nurses were massacred. It is a moment in time I will never forget.
Finally, I would like to thank our Fellows and Members for your ongoing contributions to our work. You are the heart of ACN, and we could not do what we do without you. Your time, your experience and your passion are why we are the leaders of the nursing profession. I look forward to seeing what we achieve next year.
Take inspiration from our Tribe, we are stronger together.
Warmest regards,
Adjunct Professor Kylie Ward FACN
8.5% growth in participants in ACN Institute of Leadership courses
92,105,66 potential media audience reach
Represented the nursing profession more than 245 times to Government and key stakeholders
6682 CPD modules completed
218,000+ Enrolments for the Governmentfunded COVID-19 vaccination training program
3600+ Delegates welcomed to ACN events
24% Increase in Affiliates
41,583 followers
$397,000 scholarships awarded
575,101 unique website visitors
5,814 followers An increase of 3%
followers
26,475 followers
increase of 17.9%
A dedicated Board of Directors governs the Australian College of Nursing (ACN). The Board is responsible for ensuring that ACN has an appropriate corporate governance structure, and that the organisation continues to grow and develop to advance the nursing profession.
We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the contribution of our Board Members over the past 12 months.
Emeritus Professor Christine Duffield RN PhD FACN FAAN FAICD FACHSMPresident – re-elected December 2022
Christine Duffield is an internationally renowned nurse who has worked tirelessly across direct care, consultancy, academia, research and in leadership roles to spearhead the advancement of the nursing profession in Canada, New Zealand, the UK, and
Australia for over 40 years. She is an Emeritus Professor of Nursing and Health Services Management at Edith Cowan University, Perth; Emeritus Professor University of Technology
Sydney and President/Chair of the Australian College of Nursing.
David Plunkett FACN
GAICD, MBA, RN
Vice President – elected December 2022
David Plunkett FACN is Chief Executive Eastern Health Melbourne Victoria, where he operationalises the strategic plan, quality and financial plan for the health service’s current and future years. David was elected Vice President in December 2022. He is also Chair of the Governance and Scholarship Committee (GaSC) and Chair of the Risk and Investment Committee (FARI).
Carmen Morgan FACN Board Director
Vice President – until December 2022
Carmen has 30-plus years of experience as a nurse. Her clinical career has spanned rural, regional and remote health in Western Australia. For the last 13 years she has taken on progressively more senior nursing leadership roles. She is currently the Director of Nursing at Westmead Hospital in Sydney. Carmen served as ACN President (20132015) and as Vice President (2016-2022). She currently serves on the GaSC.
Board Director
Professor Georgina Willetts has over 30 years nursing experience and more than a decade of experience in leading nursing and midwifery reform within the healthcare industry, moving to academia in 2011. Georgina is currently Professor, Nursing and Practice Development Institute Health and Wellbeing at Federation University. Georgina has been an active member of ACN and the Royal College of Nursing for more than 15 years. Georgina is also Chair of Academic Council.
Adjunct Professor Chris Rafferty FACN
Board Director
Adjunct Professor Chris Raftery FACN is a wellrespected published and endorsed nurse practitioner, and distinguished and dynamic nursing leader who has been part of the profession for over two decades. He is Deputy Chair of the Queensland Clinical Senate and a strong advocate for nursing in Queensland and nationally. With additional strengths in innovation, technology and health economics, his contribution and strategic influence in shaping and advancing the nursing profession nationally, continues to maximise our individual and collective opportunities now and into the future. Chris has been a Member of the GaS Committee since March 2023.
Heather is a respected and professionally connected nurse leader within the NT and nationally with expertise in health workforce, clinical governance, and leadership. She strongly advocates for rural and remote nursing, midwifery, health workforce, and primary healthcare. As the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer from 2016-2018
Heather coordinated the NTG review of remote nurse safety and implemented the review recommendations to keep remote Territory nurses safe at work.
Donna is currently Deputy Executive Dean (Projects) for the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney. This Faculty consists of seven cognate Schools of Health, including the Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery (formerly the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery).
Donna is passionate about children’s and youth’s health and has recently completed a ten-year term as a Board Member of the Sydney Children’s Hospital Network. She also served as Chair of the Network Safety and Quality Committee. Donna also serves as Deputy Chair of Academic Council.
Ross is a Chartered Accountant with over 35 years of experience in investment banking and corporate advice. Ross has provided insightful strategic recommendations in his current and previous roles and conducted mandates in capital raising, mergers and acquisitions, divestment, shareholder and bank negotiations. Ross is currently Chair of FARI Committee.
Michael is a practising solicitor with over 35 years of experience as a partner in leading Australian and international law firms. He specialises in corporate and commercial law representing clients across many industries including health. He regularly advises boards of directors of small, medium and large companies including listed companies on their duties, conflicts and governance. He works closely with boards to support them thro.ugh complex or difficult periods or transactions. Michael also serves on the FARI Committee
ACN’s Executive Leadership Team passionately drives the direction of ACN to lead change and create a strong, collective voice for the nursing profession.
The Executive Leadership Team is made up of five Executive Directors led by our Chief Executive Officer.
Kylie’s story is grounded in service to others, a vision for a greater future and a tenacity to get the job done. Kylie’s strengths lie in breaking down the walls, reframing the issue for fresh thinking and bringing people together to create long-lasting solutions.
Kylie currently serves as CEO of Australian College of Nursing (ACN) and CEO of the Australian College of Nursing Foundation. She has led a program of transformation at ACN, increasing revenue, tripling student numbers, raising awareness of the profession and building a legacy of nursing leadership, policy, sponsorship and community.
Kylie is inspired to increase the recognition of nurses and women in society. Articulating and amplifying the professional voice of nurses, ensuring they have a major seat at the table to develop health and social policy.
Kylie holds honorary academic appointments with seven leading Australian universities.
Before joining ACN, Kylie ran a successful consultancy specialising in transformation, executive coaching, leadership and change management. She is renowned for her business acumen, entrepreneurship, and visionary style leadership.
Adjunct Professor Kylie Ward RN, MMgt, FACN, FCHSM, Wharton Fellow, GAICD Chief Executive Officer
Neil Haynes FACN (Hon) Chief Operating Officer, Company Secretary
Neil Haynes’ career has spanned both profit and not-for-profit sectors, with extensive experience gained both in Australia and the UK. Passionate about finance and driven to get involved and understand the strategic business needs of ACN, Neil thrives in working closely with all arms of the organisation to ensure they are empowered and equipped to deliver high quality services to our members, stakeholders and the nursing profession.
Rebecca McMillan Chief of StaffRebecca commenced her career in professional services at PwC and has since followed her passion for people and the community by working alongside CEOs in the health and aged care industry and not-for-profit sectors.
Rebecca holds a Master of Enterprise (Executive) form Melbourne Business School and a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours in Finance and Economics) from the University
Linda Davidson FACN
Linda is a Fellow with ACN and is a Registered Nurse/Midwife with almost 50 years of nursing in Tertiary Quaternary, Teaching, Major Metropolitan, Regional, District and Rural services.
For more than 30 years, Linda has worked in senior nursing/executive leadership roles across New South Wales and Victoria. She holds a Degree in Health Management and a Master’s in Health Service Management. Linda has led many initiatives and changes in the health system. Linda also promotes nursing’s power and value in shaping and influencing healthcare’s current and future agendas across Australia.
of Melbourne.
As National Director, Partnerships at the Australian College of Nursing, Karoline specialises in building and fostering strong business relationships to achieve ACN’s vision of Shaping Health, Advancing Nursing.
Karoline has a Diploma in Project Management and a Certificate III in Business Administration as well as an extensive background working in the private sector and within government prior to joining ACN.
Karoline’s natural talent for design and creativity has taken ACN events to new heights, doubling attendance. Her credibility and tenacity has secured millions in scholarships for nurses throughout Australia.
Yvonne Mckinlay FACNYvonne is currently the ACN’s National Director Education. Yvonne celebrated 41 years as a nurse in April 2023 and has 33 years of experience in operational and strategic leadership roles in the public and private health sectors. Yvonne is a Fellow. Yvonne is proud to lead the ACN Education team, which has expanded its offerings over the last five years to deliver the largest number of Nursing Graduate Certificates in Australia. She has led key education initiatives to support the pandemic response and beyond, including the ACN Refresher program for nurses, the COVID-19 Vaccination Training Program for Australia, the Aged Care Transition to Practice program and the Immunisation for Health Practitioners course. Yvonne’s passion lies in helping nurses and colleagues evolve and grow professionally, whether at an individual, organisational or national level. This passion has been ignited throughout her extensive career by leading and developing education, workforce and business solutions that shape healthcare delivery in Australia.
funding as Chief Investigator, supervised 30+ research students and examined 30+ research theses.
Christine is an experienced Board Director who has established and chaired Clinical Governance Committees for two Aged Care Boards. She is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. As the President/Chair of ACN, she has led the review of the ACN Constitution, governance policies and procedures and assisted in moving to a skills-based Board.
ACN thanks Emeritus Professor Christine Duffield FACN for her leadership and unwavering support for her commitment to ‘Shaping Health, Advancing Nursing’. After seven years of service and dedication, Professor Duffield retires from her role as ACN’s President.
Christine Duffield is an internationally renowned and passionate nurse who has worked across direct care, consultancy, academia, research and in leadership roles to spearhead the advancement of the nursing profession in Canada, New Zealand, the UK, and Australia for over 40 years. She is a Emeritus Professor of Nursing and Health Services Management at Edith Cowan University, Perth; Emeritus Professor University of Technology Sydney and President/Chair of the Australian College of Nursing.
Having published over 200 research papers, Christine was named in Mendeley’s Top 100,000 Cited Researchers of the World in 2020. Christine is also the Associate Editor for the International Journal of Nursing Studies, the most highly ranked international nursing journal. Christine led the development of the first five industry-funded Chairs of Nursing in Australia and has been instrumental in establishing key institutions including the Centre for Graduate Nursing Studies (1989) and the Centre for Health Services Management (1999).
Christine has held numerous senior University roles on Academic and Graduate Students Committees and has made a significant impact to the nursing profession by attracting over $14M in research
A skilled leader, Christine has been a member of State and Commonwealth Committees including Health Workforce Australia; Grants Committee Rosemary Bryant Centre; NHMRC and ARC expert review panels; Australian Commission on Safety and Quality Advisory Committee –Recognising and Responding to Clinical Deterioration and has represented Australia on panels for the International Council of Nurses.
ACN would like to take this opportunity to thank Professor Duffield for her dedicated service as President and wish her the very best for the future.
On International Nurses Day (IND) ACN thanked the community for always acknowledging the role nurses play in ensuring better health outcomes for future generations.
Along with hundreds of nurses across Australia, ACN’s Sydney and Canberra offices enjoyed the National Nurses Breakfast to celebrate the tireless work of nurses.
When you are fleeing domestic and family violence, are without a permanent home, or the cost of living is biting hard, the last thing you want to consider is managing your period.
ACN Canberra and Sydney offices participated in the Share the Dignity drive in March. Share
the Dignity is a women’s charity in Australia that works to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who experience homelessness, are fleeing domestic violence, or doing it tough. They distribute period products to women, girls, and anyone who menstruates and needs support.
The Sydney and Canberra ACN offices hosted morning teas on 8 September 2022 for RUOK? Day with our remote team connecting virtually. Together we talked about the signs of mental health and broke into small groups to empower everyone to meaningfully connect with the people around them.
For the first time since COVID-19, ACN staff celebrated the year’s achievements and all things festive. The Canberra and Sydney office staff came together at the Bowral Bowling Club for a day of food and afternoon festivities with barefoot bowls and lawn games. While the weather was a little grey and drizzly, the atmosphere was warm and joyful.
The Australian College of Nursing is the peak professional body and leader of the nursing profession.
We are a for-purpose organisation committed to our mission of Shaping Health, Advancing Nursing. We support nurses to uphold the highest possible standards of integrity, clinical expertise, ethical conduct, and professionalism through our six pillars of Education, Leadership, Community, Social Impact, Advocacy and Policy.
The Australian College of Nursing has achieved outstanding results through securing educational credibility, empowering nurse leadership, building networks and raising the profile of the organisation as a professional and powerful advocacy voice for the profession. We continue to grow our membership and influence.
The Australian College of Nursing is a national body that drives change to enhance the delivery of health services to the Australian community. We are an organisation not afraid to address the issues affecting the nursing profession or Australia’s health care systems.
The Australian College of Nursing is a member-based organisation with corporate and individual membership reaching over 150,000 people across all Australian states and territories. However, our reach and scope is significantly greater. We actively advocate to government for better policy and education and seek support from the media to highlight the country’s largest clinical profession.
Our membership consists of clinical nurse experts, organisational leaders, academics, educators, and researchers, as well as early and mid-career nurses looking to move into leadership roles within the profession.
The Australian College of Nursing is an accredited higher education provider and registered training organisation (RTO), graduating 100,000 nurses over the past 15 years with post-graduate qualifications. We are the Australian member of the International Council of Nurses headquartered in Geneva in collaboration with the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF).
History is not just about the past—it is the foundation on which we build the stories that define us. 2022 marks a significant milestone in our history as it was the year we celebrated 10 years since the amalgamation of our predecessors and became the Australian College of Nursing.
History is a point we look back to in order to measure how far we have come. In 10 years we have grown under the guiding light of the nurses who forged our history and crafted a path to lead nurses into the future.
Miss Helen Millikan, first winner of the Annie M. Sage Memorial Nursing Scholarship in 1972. Awarded by the Royal College of Nursing, Australia
The Royal College of Nursing, Australia (formerly The College of Nursing Australia) Originally christened the College of Nursing, Australia (CNA), the Royal College of Nursing, Australia (RCNA) started out as an educational institute in Victoria that offered postgraduate nursing courses, beginning with diplomas in ward management, nursing administration and education. As this was a first for nursing education in Australia, the RCNA offered nurses a significant opportunity to enhance their skills and career opportunities, preparing them for positions as nurse leaders and educators.
RCNA was founded in 1949 by some ambitious, determined and visionary women. These founders wanted to see more opportunities for women and to establish further educational opportunities for Australian nurses in their own country.
Mass meetings of nurses were called to discuss the National Health Services Bill, held on 5 January 1949 at Macquarie Street in Sydney. The result, involving all major professional nursing organisations in NSW, was the establishment of the NSW College of Nursing (NSWCN) on 12 January 1949, which would later become The College of Nursing, Australia.
Like its counterpart in Victoria, the TCoN established an early leading role in the provision of nurse education. As TCoN grew, many continuing education courses complemented the postgraduate courses to meet the changing needs of the nursing profession.
Both Colleges championed the nursing profession through education programs, by raising the status and standard of the nursing profession, by bringing together members of the nursing profession both in and out of Australia, and through advocacy to give a professional voice for nurses across the country.
It was on 1 July 2012 when ACN was established with the unification of these two founding nursing organisations, RCNA and TCoN. Although there had been other attempts to unify the two Colleges previously, the initial move for the successful unification, as often happens, evolved from an informal conversation between the then Presidents of RCNA and TCoN, Stephanie Young and Leanne Morton, respectively. The first Transitional Board, met on 15 February 2011.
Representing the RNCA were Stephanie Fox-Young FACN (DLF), Christine Smith FACN (DLF), Carmen Morgan FACN, Julie Shepherd FACN, Ian Thackray FACN and John Buxton FACN (Hon). Representing TCoN were Kathy Baker AM FACN (DLF), Leanne Morton FACN, Kay Richards FACN, Maryanne Curry MACN, Kylie Ward FACN and Julieanne Oxley FACN (DLF).
The ACN National Nursing Archives collection, is intended to provide a record of ACN’s history and as such comprises records and material that pertain to several areas: The Archives as a whole holds subsidiary collections including the records of the Royal College of Nursing, Australia (RCNA) and NSW Chapter records. There are records from the College of Nursing (TCoN); Florence Nightingale Committee of Australia (FNCA) (NSW Branch) records, a collection currently known as “The Doherty Papers” and the Pat Slater collection. The archives also include donated material from Members and Fellows. The archives are held over the two ACN sites in Sydney and Canberra. Sydney – known as the Judith A Cornell AM Archives - holds a small, specialised selection of archives whilst Canberra retains the bulk of the archives in its archives unit – known as the Helen M Hamilton Archives.
In January the National Nursing Archives received a bequest in kind from ACN Fellow Joyce Edwards who has left archive materials regarding nursing in Australia ranging from war to changes in nursing education along with her interviews with nursing students throughout the country regarding education, transitioning from the ward to university. There are also historical images as well as written and recorded material for the ACN Archives including recorded interviews with Lieutenant Colonel Vivian Bullwinkel AO, MBE, ARRC, ED, FNM, FRCNA.
National Volunteer Week, in May, is Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteering. The theme in 2023 was The Change Makers. The ACN Foundation would like to thank the wonderful and dedicated volunteers who work in ACN’s National Nursing Archives Sydney offices. They are Dr Lesley Potter FACN, Prof. R. Lynette Russell AO, RN PhD FACN (DLF) and Dr Jennifer Blundell FACN. The staff at ACN are extremely grateful to them for the sharing of skills and knowledge.
There is so much positive change that has occurred in ACN’s first 10 years, and this is just the first chapter of ACN’s history. The next 10 years will see many more important changes and developments for the nursing profession, and ACN intends to remain at the forefront, guiding the profession forward with that same dedication, single-mindedness and initiative that has come to define who we are as an organisation.
In ACN’s first 10 years we can reflect with pride on the many achievements and milestones. These include:
• The introduction of the National Nursing Roadshow in 2016
• The relunch of the Affiliates Program in 2016, which to date has 143 Affiliates
• ACN’s inaugural Policy Summit in 2017
• The 2017 relaunch of the Emerging Nurse Leadership program, which has changed the landscape of nurse leadership
• The Health Minister’s Award for Nursing Trailblazers, with the first winner awarded in 2019. This was the first time a Federal Minister had created an award specifically for nurses
• The launch of the ACN Institute of Leadership in 2019
• The creation and launch of NurseStrong in 2019 to focus on nurses’ wellbeing
• The establishment of ACN Foundation in 2019, which has tripled its reserves in three years
• The Bullwinkel Project to commission and install a sculpture of Lieutenant Vivian Bullwinkel AO, MBE, ARRC, ED, FNM, FRCNA, in the grounds of the Australian War Memorial and raise money for scholarships
• In 2020, the Year of the Nurse and Midwife, flags in honour of nurses were flown for the first time at Parliament House
• In 2020 ACN supported our Pacific Rim neighbours in conjunction with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade SPC and the Royal College of Surgeons by enrolling the first cohort of registered nurses from the region in its Graduate Certificate in Critical Care Nursing. Over the 2020 and 2021 academic terms 47 more students from the Pacific RIm were enrolled
• ACN was nominated as the provider of the national immunisation program for COVID-19 vaccines, educating over 200,000 clinicians
• In 2022, ACN debuted its new Faculties, replacing the Communities of Interest
Behind the Gown 1949-2012 A record of the women who have led and shaped The College of Nursing by Judith A. Cornell and R. Lynette Russell (2011)
Behind the Lamp 1949-2012 A record of the women who led and shaped the Royal College of Nursing, Australia by Lesley Potter and R. Lynette Russell (2019)
A Voice to be Heard: first fifty years of NSW College of Nursing by Rosalie Pratt and Lynette Russell AO (2002)
In Pursuit of Nursing Excellence: a history of Royal College of Nursing by Russel G. Smith (1999)
No Longer Silent: Voices of 21st Century Nurses. Publication forthcoming 2023.
On Saturday 26 November 2022 more than 200 guests descended on Parliament House to celebrate 10 years since ACN was formed in 2012 and to raise funds for the Bullwinkel Project.
This was also an opportunity to pay tribute to the legacies of ACN’s predecessor organisations, RCNA and TOCN, both of which were founded in 1949.
Parliament’s Grand Hall was decorated in grand style for the occasion, featuring displays of nursing and ACN history as well as visual tributes to Lieutenant Colonel Vivian Bullwinkel, AO, MBE, ARRC, ED, FNM, FRCNA, and each of the 21 nurses who lost their lives in the Bangka Island massacre. These
illustrations were created by artist Rupert Porter. Guests were also introduced to Dr Charles Robb, the artist commissioned to craft the statue of Vivian Bullwinkel, which will be unveiled later this year.
The night began with welcomes from ACN President Emeritus Professor Christine Duffield FACN and CEO Adjunct Professor Kylie Ward FACN who also was MC for the night. Guests were treated to a three-course dinner and four-piece band which ensured the celebrations continued well into the night!
ACN would like to thank all those who attended the event and whose efforts made it such a success. We look forward to seeing what the next 10 years and beyond bring!
ACN President Emeritus Professor Christine Duffield FACN with Dr Charles Robb (L) and Mr Rupert Porter (R)
ACN Foundation Silent Auction for the Bullwinkel Project
Enrtryway to Gala Ball
H-Cee Family perform at the Gala Ball
Adjunct Professor Kylie Ward FACN
Jurgen Parsons, Nina Vesala, Karen Dansey FACN (Hon), Ray Dansey and Belinda Angel
Donna Wasef, Karoline Dawe, Adjunct Professor Kylie Ward FACN, Amanda Clark and Christopher O’Donnell FACN
Adjunct Professor Kylie Ward FACN with Felicity Zadro MACN
Belynda Abbott FACN
Karoline Dawe, Adjunct Professor Ward and Emeritus Professor Duffield
Guests enjoying dinner at the Anniversary Ball
Rupert Porter’s illustrations of the nurses killed on Bangka Island
10 Years of ACN in pictures
The ACN Board of Directors at the 10 Year Anniversary Ball
The Australian College of Nursing (ACN) Foundation provides access, through funding, to support initiatives that enhance, develop and recognise contributions made by Australian nurses that will improve the health of the Australian community and secure nursing history.
We collaborate with the community to raise funds in support of such initiatives that
focus on research, policy development and advocacy, education and scholarship.
The ACN Foundation’s mission is delivered through the following pillars with objectives being:
• Nurse Leadership – Developing nurse leaders
• Research – Uncovering best practice
• Education & Scholarships –Acknowledgement and reward
• Advocacy & Policy Development –Action for health outcomes
• History – Curating nurse history
We’re here to support nurses... the backbone of the health care system.
The ACN Foundation would like to thank the nursing and general community for their ongoing support throughout 2023. Without them, we would not be able to provide scholarships and programs that benefit our nurses throughout Australia without community support. Together we are here to support nurses… the backbone of our healthcare system.
A cohort of first-year nursing students preparing for their first placement from the University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC), raised funds for the ACN Foundation
This year the ACN Foundation rebranded and launched a new Legacy Gift Program. ACN and the ACN Foundation have both been recipients of many legacy gifts, also known as bequests. Most of these bequests stipulated that the gift should be in support of scholarships for nurses or used at the discretion of the Directors for purposes in support of the ACN Foundation.
If you have received a scholarship through the ACN or the ACN Foundation, it is possible the grant was supported through the generosity of a person who made a legacy gift (bequest) in their Will.
The ACN Foundation is extremely grateful to those who have left a bequest in their Will in 2023 including Yvonne Jayawardena FACN who has left a bequest for an annual nursing award.
Making a legacy gift in support of nurses through the ACN Foundation ensures there will be growing support for nurses in the future. A legacy gift (bequest) is a gift that keeps on giving, creating a lasting impact on the lives of others.
ACN’s publications provide the health and nursing community with updates on the industry, science and policy topics that matter the most as well as opinion and editorial from our membership.
Our quarterly publication The Hive shares research outcomes, educational developments and personal stories, highlighting the breadth of the nursing professions expertise, knowledge, and experience. As always, articles in The Hive cover a myriad of topics. This year featured articles on creating respectful workplaces, driving improvements in cancer and palliative care, dealing with disasters in the community, mentoring the next generation of nurse researchers, and reflections acknowledging 80 years since the Bangka Island massacre among many more.
Our online blog, NurseClick, has kept members informed about key initiatives, policy changes and progress, and events, designed to support nurses and advance leadership. Nurses from across Australia have shared their insights on our online blog, showcasing the broad breadth of our community expertise including living as a rural and remote nurse, the impact of nurses on clinical trials, reflections on becoming a mother after working in NICU, coping with graduate nurse transition shock, and how to spot signs your colleagues may be struggling after a disaster.
ACN’s NurseStrong social media family has continued to grow in the last 12 months, with more than 7.3K followers, with both ACN members and non-members.
It was created to empower nurses to support each other and provide a safe space to improve their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual strength in a safe and supportive environment.
The NurseStrong family has continually shared their experiences, successes, struggles and stories.
In the past 12 months, we’ve seen nurses share wellbeing tools, healthy food recipes, experiences at health retreats and trying yoga and meditation as well as other health regimes to help nurses stay well and resilient in tough times.
ACN CEO Adjunct Professor Kylie Ward kindly shares glimpses into her personal wellbeing journey and the things she does to stay healthy in body and mind.
The NurseStrong family also regularly takes the opportunity to ask other nurses for career advice, educational opportunities, and requests to comment on a document or participate in surveys.
There are motivational memes posted and cartoons that we all relate to and that make nurse’s giggle.
ACN has also advertised opportunities for members to win prizes such as gift vouchers, for example the “Wear your Hat and Win” competition with three lucky winners each receiving a $50 gift voucher.
Looking back over the year and over the posts and comments on NurseStrong, ACN would love to thank all our members and non-members for their contributions to this page. Please know that your posts, your comments, your advice, your likes and your emojis are appreciated. ACN looks forward to another year of looking after ourselves, our colleagues and our wonderful profession.
Honourable mentions
ACN publishes the academic journal Collegian: The Australian Journal of Nursing Practice and Research. This peer-reviewed journal publishes research articles on nursing practice, policy and professional issues.
We would like to thank former Editor-in-Chief Professor Lisa McKenna FACN for her leadership and commitment to making Collegian the highly regarded journal it is. We also acknowledge the editorial team, who volunteer their time to ensure the journal continues to excel.
In January 2023 Professor Lisa Whitehead FACN took up her role as the new Editor-in-Chief. Professor Whitehead brings 30 years of experience as one of Australia’s foremost and leading nurse researchers to the role.
We would also like to acknowledge our ACN Fellows and Members who are part of the Editorial Board and the International Advisory Board of Collegian for contributing their valuable time and expertise to the journal.
Associate Professor Bev Copnell MACN
Dr Clint Douglas FACN
Proessor Elizabeth Halcomb FACN
Dr Louisa Lam
Dr Jason Mills FACN
Dr Maria Murphy
Dr Jennifer Newton FACN
Professor Michael Roche MACN
The ACN Podcast returned in 2022 with a new season and a new host. Andrea Jansen MACN sat down with five different nurses from diverse fields including ovarian cancer treatment, digital health specialists, nurse researchers, nurse/midwife specialists and remote nurses to deep dive into their careers, motivations and pivotal moments. The nurses she spoke with were Liam Jackson MACN, Kerry Wilcox MACN, Ben Jenkins, Dr Aletha Ward MACN and Sue Hegarty.
Led by ACN CEO Adjunct Professor Kylie Ward FACN, our ACN Fellows and Members and the ACN team continued to do everything in their power to ensure that the voice of the nursing profession has been heard loud and clear in key discussions at local, State and Federal levels.
ACN continues to raise the profile of the nursing profession and the vital work nurses do, and the challenges they face across all areas of health care. We engage with media, politicians, and our colleagues across the country and abroad.
Linda Davidson FACN, Senator Tammy Tyrrell, Adjunct Professor Ward FACN, Senator Jacquie Lambi and Yvonne Mckinlay FACN
Brad Hazzard MP and Adjunct Professor Ward FACN
Adjunct Professor Ward FACN at Parliament House, Canberra for the Federal Budget
• Inquiry into Recovery Plan for Nursing and Midwifery Workers
• Inquiry into the role of permanent migration in nation building
• Inquiry into the extent and nature of poverty in Australia
• Inquiry into the Human Rights (Children Born Alive Protection) Bill 2022
Public consultation is a regulatory process by which the public’s input on matters affecting them is sought. Its main goals are to improve the efficiency, transparency and public involvement in large-scale projects or laws and policies.
ACN participated in several consultations in the past year, including:
• A Migration System for Australia’s Future
• Consultation: Exposure draft of the Inspector General of Aged Care Bill 2022
• Community Consultation: Abortion Legislation in Western Australia
• Targeted Review of Divisions 270 and 271 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth) – Changes to the federal law regarding Modern Slavery
• Medical Board of Australia’s telehealth guidelines
• Cancer Plan
• Department of Health & Aged Care Healthcare Identifiers Framework
• Intellectual Disability Health Core Capabilities Framework
• Sustainable Healthcare Module
• National Safety and Quality Primary and Community Healthcare Standards Guide
ACN Foundation provides opportunities for scholarships for Fellows and Members to enhance their learning and professional skills. In 2020 ACN introduced Study Tours for nurses with the inaugural Study Tour to South Africa, with 13 nurses both scholarship recipients and those selffunded.
The 2022 Jon Baines Nursing Study Tour to South Africa ran from 3 to 14 November. Led by ACN CEO Adjunct Professor Kylie Ward FACN, this was a fabulous opportunity to experience a different culture and health system. Participants learned about local history and culture, visited local hospitals and clinics and toured spectacular landscapes.
• A stunning pre-tour visit to Victoria Falls.
• Attending the Apartheid Museum.
• Visiting the Nelson Mandela Foundation and home.
• Seeing the Hector Pieterson Museum in Soweto.
• Visiting the Cape of the Heart Museum where the world’s first heart transplant took place.
• A game drive in Kruger National Park.
What an amazing and inspirational trip we all had. I am so grateful to ACN for providing me with a scholarship for this incredible learning opportunity. An opportunity to learn and understand different healthcare systems and to gain international perspectives/ awareness on the provision of care while immersing into South African culture.
Arun Thomas MACN
The Nursing Tour has brought to the forefront my perception on cultural awareness, the impact of the social determinants of health and health implications of those who have and those who have not. I have a new appreciation for our health system in Australia whilst understanding there is still work to be done.
Nancy Arnold FACN
Netcare Parklane Private Hospital visit with hospital staff
An adventure and experience of a lifetime. I was so fortunate to receive the scholarship to attend the inaugural ACN study tour and it is beyond words how amazing it was. When an opportunity like that comes your way, you say YES!
Ariela Rother MACN
The Australian College of Nursing Fellowship is a prestigious honour bestowed on Members in recognition of significant professional achievement. It recognises their experience and contribution to the organisation and the nursing profession which plays a significant role in raising the nursing profile.
In addition, the Distinguished Life Fellow (DLF) is awarded to current Fellows who have shown outstanding achievements and ongoing contributions to the Australian College of Nursing (ACN) and the profession.
We are delighted to congratulate our DLFs and Fellows for the year 2022-2023.
Dr Glenn Gardner is Emeritus Professor in Nursing at the Queensland University of Technology and a Fellow of the University at Edith Cowan University. She has a distinguished reputation, and her research activity has contributed to the applied, translational, and theoretical aspects of nursing.
Glenn established two clinical chairs in nursing, first at the Canberra Hospital & University of Canberra, and second at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital and Queensland University of Technology. In both positions, she has built durable research infrastructure and collaborations between the academic and clinical arms of nursing. Glenn is recognised internationally for her program of research on the practice and health service role of the nurse practitioner and for developing evidence-based tools and ways of thinking about advanced practice nursing.
A registered nurse for 48 years, Elizabeth’s background incorporates clinical, education, research and management. Elizabeth has 25 years policy advocacy experience in national nursing organisations, including the Royal College of Nursing Australia and the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation. Throughout Elizabeth’s career, she has proved to be a dedicated nurse leader working in regional, rural and metropolitan health services within a variety of clinical, managerial and professional policy roles. Elizabeth’s professional excellence has made an impact on the working lives of nurses’ and midwives’ professional practice and has resulted in improvements to the nursing and midwifery professions. During her decade at the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation, Elizabeth represented the professional interests of nurses and midwives nationally, being a contributor and professional influencer on numerous national committees and working parties.
Amanda is a nurse leader with over 30 years of experience. She has spent the majority of her career working for the Australian Defence Force in various nursing leadership roles. Amanda has supported her nursing career by completing a Master of Nursing, Master of Public Health, Master of Business Administration, and a professional Doctorate, drawing upon her deployment experience in Rwanda.
Amanda has made a significant contribution to the nursing profession through teaching and research. Amanda has taught into the undergraduate and post graduate programs at the University of Technology and supported student nurses as a clinical facilitator. In undertaking a Doctor of Nursing, Amanda contributed to nursing knowledge in the area of PostTraumatic Stress Disorder and became the first Royal Australian Navy nurse to achieve this qualification.
Amanda has been Chair of the ACN Military Nursing Faculty from 2017 to 2023.
Adjunct Professor Kate Gillan is a nursing leader with over 30 years of nursing experience. Her contribution to leadership within the profession has been extensive. Kate’s clinical background has been in perioperative, particularly in the pioneering early years of day surgery. More recently she has held Executive Chief Nurse roles in both the public and private sectors.
During her time as Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer at Barwon Health, Kate led the introduction of innovative nursing workforce solutions to centralise recruitment, decreasing permanent staff vacancy and decreasing agency use by 99 per cent. Through a Health Workforce Australia (HWA) innovations grant, Kate introduced the rural and isolated practise endorsed registered nurse (RIPERN) model, the nurse practitioner model, and a nurse-led radiology service. Apart from the improvement and extension of service these innovations provided to the community, the nurse satisfaction in utilising their full scope was very clear and rewarding.
Kate is currently the Deputy Chair of the ACN National Nurse Executive Faculty.
Dr Bernadette Eather FACN
Bernadette was awarded a Doctor of Nursing in 2009 with her research focusing on the recognition and management of the deteriorating patient, which was a precursor to the introduction of the Between the Flags Program in NSW Health.
As the Chief Nurse at Ramsay Health Care Australia, Bernadette led the COVID-19 response for 73 hospitals across the country. She was the key clinical and executive lead providing direction on all clinical practices and policies in order to keep patients, staff, and community safe throughout the pandemic. In 2022, Bernadette led the establishment of the Ramsay Nursing Cadetship Program and a specific indigenous nursing cadetship program in partnership with Marrmooditj TAFE in WA.
Bernadette lectures at the University of Sydney into the Master of Nursing and Advanced Practice Program. She also teaches into the undergraduate nursing program at the University of Notre Dame on the importance of speaking up for patient safety.
Debra is a nurse leader, educator, and coach with high-level facilitation skills. She provides coaching and mentoring to nurse leaders via multiple platforms.
While working for the NSW Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network, Debra developed the first, state-wide, sexual assault policy for a correctional setting. She has also worked in Bio-Preparedness roles, developing policy and pandemic plans, and reviewed the cardiovascular screening process on behalf of Women’s Health (NSW) and the Heart Foundation. In 2019 Debra led and managed a project on Men’s Health in Prison which delivered a Health and Wellbeing Plan. Debra continues to consult on complex health matters in jurisdictions across Australia.
Debra contributed to the ACN Leadership Faculty from 2017 to 2022.
Karen is a highly accomplished academic and clinical leader and has held senior management and executive positions in both clinical practice and the higher education. Karen has a visionary outlook on education and leadership in the nursing profession; contemporising curriculum, innovative ideas of clinical skills simulation, learning, teaching, assessment design and evaluating the effectiveness of management and leadership.
Further to her formal academic leadership roles, Karen contributes to various boards, research projects and journals. Through Karen’s active involvement in boards and committees, she has extensive knowledge of current nursing and midwifery practice, as well as future challenges at a local, national and international level. Karen has formed connections with leading nurses working in government, regulatory bodies, education, and directors of nursing from countries such as the Philippines, Uganda, Canada, USA, India, Sri Lanka, Korea, and Japan. She continues to work collaboratively with the International Council of Nursing (ICN).
Karen has been Deputy Chair of the ACN Leadership Faculty since 2018.
Lucy is a graduate of the ACN Emerging Nurse Leader Program and has completed a Post Graduate Certificate in Paediatric Nursing. Lucy is currently completing an Intergraded PhD (iPhD) in nursing competence and has finished her first year and first publication.
As a front-line nurse working in Melbourne during the height of the pandemic, Lucy continued to be active and supported ACN. She was a member of the ACN COVID-19 Taskforce contributing to meetings, and participating in media coverage, including an interview alongside ACN CEO Adjunct Professor Kylie Ward FACN with the TODAY Show and Triple M Sydney. Lucy is paving the way for other nurses by utilising platforms such as social media and blogs.
Lucy has been Chair of the ACN Next Gen Faculty since 2018.
Toni is a perioperative Nurse Practitioner. She has established herself as a leader in the field and is lobbying the Federal Health Department for recognition of the important contribution made by nurses in the advanced practice role of the surgical assistant. Her work includes a PhD with multiple journal publications on the topic.
Tony is a Registered Nurse with extensive clinical, management, leadership and executive experience. Tony has held various executive leadership positions, one of the most significant was his leadership as acting Chief Executive of North Metropolitan Health Service (NMHS) during the COVID-19 pandemic outbreaks.
Tony and is currently the Executive Director for Perth Children’s Hospital (PCH) and Neonate Services. In this role, he responsible for providing strategic and operational leadership, advice and direction on all related issues for PCH and Neonate Services.
Over the years, Tony has led many post-graduate education programs for nurses. Tony has an active interest in the promotion of health leadership and patient and clinical outcomes and staff wellness. His passion is to make a difference by supporting people with whom he works every day.
Former President of the Australian Medical Association, Dr Brendan Nelson AO is chairman of Boeing Australia. He has served as Australia’s Minister for Education, Science and Training, Minister for Defence and Leader of the Liberal Party. Dr Nelson was Australian ambassador to the EU and NATO and Director of the Australian War Memorial.
Nathan has managed and led health services and healthcare delivery in diverse and complex positions for the past 20 years. As a Nursing Officer in the Royal Australian Navy, Nathan has taken on greater leadership positions as he has been promoted through the ranks of the Navy.
Nathan has recently completed a three-year posting as the Commanding Officer of the Joint Health Unit-Victoria and Tasmania (JHU-VT) running Defence’s health services across the two states and was formally commended for his leadership.
Nathan is currently representing the Navy’s equities in the optimisation of the Defence nursing capability, leading a cultural improvement initiative engaging the entire Navy nursing community and developing an associated nursing mentorship framework.
Kath is a well-respected nurse leader within the Australian Defence Force currently working as the Director of Defence Force Nursing. As a nurse leader, Kath has a reputation for solving problems and embracing challenges.
Kath has provided clinical leadership to and through a multidisciplinary team to deliver health care support to between 2000 and 3000 military personnel, including emergency airfield response to support pilot training and fast jet operations. Throughout these roles Kathryn stepped up into executive positions, providing development opportunities for staff, improving team cohesion, maintaining standards of practice, and ensuring quality assurance procedures and audit, resource management and policy compliance.
In 2019-2021, Kath expanded her clinical leadership through her appointment to Command. Kath led and managed a Defence health unit in the Northern New South Wales region, which included seven separate health facilities delivering comprehensive health services to ADF members. Her leadership in delivering the improved health policy framework has enhanced the health literacy of Defence members at all levels.
The ACN Policy Fellows program was launched in 2019 by ACN and is financially supported by the ACN Foundation. The Fellowship supports participants to engage with a range of thought leaders both within and external to nursing. Supported by a mentor, they participate in an interactive structured program.
Dr Browne gained skills in the translation of research, knowledge and skill into actionable health policy and communicating recommendations nationally and internationally. Dr Browne has a demonstrated focus and passion for the nursing role in international health. She uses her research, writing and academic experience to have a practical impact on the health and well-being of the Australian community.
Caroline was an active participant in the Workforce Policy Chapter, contributing to the background research and crafting the position statement, Impact of COVID-19 on the Nursing ProfessionManaging repercussions, enabling opportunities. She was actively engaged in consultations throughout the year.
Executive Director Nursing and Midwifery Services
Executive Leadership Team Central West Hospital and Health Service
Adjunct Associate Professor – Centre for Rural and Remote Health, James Cook University.
Adjunct Professor Causer has been nursing for almost 20 years and is passionate about rural and remote healthcare and ensuring a safe and quality service for all community members regardless of their postcode. She developed the voice of rural and remote nurses and utilised skills learnt from the Global Nurse Leadership Institute to advance nursing policy and advocacy.
Danielle worked with the Occupational Violence taskforce and was involved in writing the position statement, Second responder for callouts in rural, remote, and isolated workplace settings. Danielle has been engaged in consultations throughout the year.
Dr De Leo engaged with the program to help prioritise efforts towards advancing nursing policy by promoting the co-development of policies and practice standards that reflect the needs of clinicians and their concerns in clinical areas. She further developed her leadership skills and her knowledge of the relationship between policy and improvements in health outcomes, with a particular focus on nursing contribution to the health of the community.
Throughout the year, Annie worked with the Emissions Reduction Policy Chapter and contributed to the position statement The Nursing Response to the Climate Emergency.
Clinical Nurse Lead, Australasian Society
HIV, Viral Hepatitis & Sexual Health Medicine
Melinda Hassall’s nursing career has spanned 25 years with a diverse mix of clinical and nonclinical roles within various healthcare settings and geographical locations. She valued the opportunity to enhance her understanding of the policy framework within the Australian healthcare system and identify opportunities to synthesise nursing policy issues with other health professionals and consumer groups both here and internationally. Ms Hassall believes the Fellowship provided additional insights and a greater understanding of the health policy landscape, identified existing policy gaps, and expanded nursing and broader health policy sphere networks.
Melinda worked with the Chronic Disease Policy Chapter and contributed to the development of the position statement, Nurseled innovations in response to COVID-19 for adults living with chronic disease and multimorbidity. She has been actively engaged in consultations throughout the year.
Public Health Research Officer, Registered Nurse and Registered Midwife, Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia Federation Office
Breeanna Spring increased her collaboration with fellow researchers and developed her leadership skills. She has embarked on a PhD with Edith Cowan University exploring preterm labour management in the aeromedical retrieval setting.
Breeanna worked with the Child Protection taskforce during the year, working to develop the position statement, The role of nurses in a public health response to child abuse and neglect. She has been involved in consultations throughout the year.
Self-employed
Dr Ellis has been nursing for more than 40 years and has worked as a clinical nurse in hospitals, and in the home and has undertaken a PhD looking at Articulating a HITH Registered Nurse structured career and education ladder. Throughout her nursing career, she has held leadership roles and through the Fellowship gained greater knowledge and integration strategies in policy development and application.
Angela has been engaged with the Enrolled Nurse Faculty and has contributed to the development of a discussion paper on Enrolled Nurses in today’s workplace. She was also active in the review of the Domestic and Family Violence position statement.
Louise Lommerse MACN
Registered Nurse- Mater Hospital
Rockhampton-Emergency Care Centre/ Rockhampton Base HospitalEmergency Department
Sessional Academic- CQ UniversityFaculty of Nursing and Midwifery
Deputy Chairperson- Disaster Health Faculty
Louise Lommerse has demonstrated a track record in engaging, influencing, and motivating staff and stakeholders in the delivery of emergency nursing excellence, undergraduate education, and promoting disaster healthcare from a nursing perspective. She has displayed drive to provide enthusiastically, considered leadership to an interdisciplinary team of professional emergency clinicians and nurses, with a passion for providing values-based leadership by example.
Registered Nurse/ Nursing OfficerAustralian Defence Force
Madelaine Secco has fulfilled several clinical and managerial roles serving the Australian Defence Force since 2011. She has commendable experience as a Senior Nurse of a multi-national medical team within the Role Two Health Facility Kabul, Afghanistan, and Career Advisor Health while managing and developing the Army Nursing Force. She strives to advocate and make a difference in her roles at the operational level and to support health officers and nursing officers to succeed. She has been awarded a Silver Commendation by the Chief of Army for her contribution to co-creating EMERGE, a multi-disciplinary, multi-sectoral, and multi-regional junior health officer peer support network.
Clinical Care Manager- RSL Lifecare Limited
Sheldon Omwamba is extremely passionate about aged care, personcentred care, dementia care, palliative care, policy development, and nursing leadership. He has been a motivated and devoted Registered Nurse with compassion for Healthy Ageing and Chronic and Complex healthcare. Through his involvement in the Emerging Leadership Program, he was awarded the ENL Higher Achiever Award certificate for the 2022 cohort.
He has been actively involved with the end-of-life policy chapter in 2021 and the chronic disease chapter in 2022. He participated in developing ACN’s policy statement 2022: on Nurse led innovation in response to COVID-19 for adults living with chronic disease and multimorbidity.
With her principal expertise in research and ethics, Simone Fitzgerald has taken a leadership role in the construction of new policy in her working areas and has been working as a research nurse managing pharmaceutical trials and has formulated a standard operating procedure for the management of source documentation in clinical trials. She also focuses on commencing her PhD in nursing retention.
Siobhan Hooper has exceptional career experience that demonstrated a commitment to advancing nursing policy and advocacy with professional achievements in a clinical, education, policy, or academic setting. She has successfully developed and implemented an innovative midwifery antenatal and post-natal program for Indigenous women ensuring equitable rights, and created a new policy for Indigenous midwifery care. She also advocated for the mental health of women during the antenatal period. Her professional achievements include transitioning from leadership roles within the clinical setting into the academic sector. She has also aided in developing various advocacy campaigns for prominent health issues.
During COVID-19, her role was at the forefront of policy change with the implementation of a new policy as a clinical coordinator ensuring that it was adhered to by the respective group.
Simone Fitzgerald MACN Clinical Trial Coordinator/Research
Nurse- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Centre, Austin Hospital
Siobhan Hooper MACN Associate Clinical Educator- University of Sunshine Coast
The Australian College of Nursing (ACN) Affiliate program experienced substantial growth over the past 12 months and appointed an additional staff member - Manager of Affiliate Membership (specifically with a nursing background) to complement the role of Lead Coordinator. Together the team works efficiently to service the needs of our valued Affiliate members. Affiliate Membership strives to support nurses through leadership and professional development thereby contributing to shaping health care in Australia. Affiliate Membership benefits are a significant opportunity for organisations to enhance the growth of their nursing staff.
There have been a number of face-toface networking opportunities for our Affiliate Members. The National Nursing Forum (NNF) held in Darwin is a great example. Over 600 delegates gathered in person, with another 120 online to
attend an informative and powerful professional forum and contribute to the voice of nursing. It was a delight to see nurses meet for the first time in years following the COVID-19 pandemic. An Affiliate Member networking breakfast was held at the NNF. Additionally, ACN held a successful Gala Ball in Canberra at Parliament House to celebrate 10 years of ACN and unveil the proposed statue of Australian Nurse Lieutenant Colonel Vivian Bullwinkel AO, MBE, ARRC, ED, FNM, FRCNA, sole survivor of the Bangka Island massacre in 1942. There were also Roadshows in each state and territory and Health Expos.
Affiliate Membership continues to provide Leadership Days to our Platinum Affiliate members, supporting nurse leaders in their career development. Additionally, all Affiliate members enjoy complimentary vouchers to the National Nursing Forum along with a number of other membership
perks. Many affiliates enjoy merchandise provided by ACN on their open days and new graduate program launches.
The launch of a quarterly newsletter specifically for Affiliate members occurred in December 2022. This publication contains information relevant to our Affiliate members as well as showcasing a different portfolio of the ACN team, increasing awareness of what happens behind the scenes. The newsletter will be distributed quarterly.
The Affiliate Membership team looks forward to being in touch regularly throughout the forthcoming year and taking on board any comments or suggestions members may have. It is always exciting to see the creative ways Affiliates reward their hard-working staff with the many membership benefits available.
The Australian College of Nursing (ACN) has now had a full year of moving from Communities of Interest to Faculties. The faculties are well embedded into ACN ways of working and achieve set priorities every year aligned with the Strategic Direction of the organisation.
ACN now has 23 active faculties who are working hard to engage with members, provide leadership, knowledge and direction for all nurses who have joined their faculty. The two newest faculties have recently been launched – the Chronic Disease Faculty and the Mental Health Faculty. The Chronic Disease Faculty is being chaired by Robyn Quinn FACN.
The faculties are also working together now more than ever and often presentations and events are a result of collaboration between skill sets and cross-pollination of information and knowledge.
The two faculties spotlighted in this edition of Year in Review have achieved some significant outcomes this year.
CHAIR
Associate Professor
Lucie Ramjan MACN
CHAIR
Kay Richards FACN
DEPUTY CHAIR
Dr Peter Lewis MACN
DEPUTY CHAIR
Dr Jed Montayre MACN
CHAIR
Christopher O’Donnell FACN
CHAIR
Adjunct Associate Professor
Naomi Dobroff FACN
DEPUTY CHAIR
Nikia Goldsmith MACN
DEPUTY CHAIR
Kerri Holzhaser MACN
CHAIR
Robyn Quinn FACN
CHAIR
Naomi Strout FACN
CHAIR
Professor Patsy Yates FACN
DEPUTY CHAIR
Linlin Li MACN
DEPUTY CHAIR
Melanie Gentgall MACN
DEPUTY CHAIR
Melissa Bloomer FACN
CHAIR
Dr Frances Peart FACN
CHAIR
Professor Alison Hutton FACN
CHAIR
Shauna Wilson MACN
DEPUTY CHAIR
Michael Krejany FACN
DEPUTY CHAIR
Louise Lommerse MACN
DEPUTY CHAIR
Marli Millas MACN
CHAIR
Professor Odette Best FACN
DEPUTY CHAIR
Dr Lesley Potter FACN
CHAIR
Jo Southern MACN
DEPUTY CHAIR
Bruce Martin MACN
DEPUTY CHAIR
Clare Ashton MACN
DEPUTY CHAIR
Linda Stanbury MACN
CHAIR
Elizabeth Matters FACN
CHAIR
Dr Catriona Booker FACN
CHAIR
Lieutenant Commander Anthony Russell FACN
DEPUTY CHAIR
Caroline Browne MACN
DEPUTY CHAIR
Associate Professor
Karen Clark-Burg MACN
DEPUTY CHAIR
Commander Nathan Saunders FACN
CHAIR
Adjunct Professor Alanna
Lorette Geary FACN
CHAIR
Adjunct Associate
Professor Naomi Dobroff
FACN
DEPUTY CHAIR
Kate Gillan MACN
CO-CHAIR
Janette Gogler MACN
CHAIR
Kitty Hutchison FACN
CHAIR
Lucy Osborn MACN
CO-CHAIR
Adjunct Associate
Professor Aaron Jones FACN
DEPUTY CHAIR
Pammie Ellem MACN
DEPUTY CHAIR
Andrea Jansen MACN
DEPUTY CHAIR
Zara Lord MACN
CHAIR
Adjunct Professor
Greg Rickard FACN
DEPUTY CHAIR
Dr Bethne Hart MACN
CHAIR
Dr Debra Carnes MACN
DEPUTY CHAIR
Dr Judith Anderson FACN
The History Faculty has continued to bring together nurses to educate and promote the importance of Nursing History. This faculty has a wonderful engagement with members and frequently has excellent registration numbers to all of their webinars.
A wonderful day before the National Nursing Forum (NNF) last year was hosted by the History Faculty and there was a lot of emotional and historical tributes made to nurses by nurses at this event.
Bringing together members of the military nursing community to share their experiences, the ACN Military Nursing Faculty held a one-day conference in Darwin as part of the National Nursing Forum. Attended by over 80 delegates, the day was filled with a line-up of speakers and panels of some of Australia’s senior nurses in the Australian Defence Force, this was a unique opportunity for both civilian and military nurses and medics to gain insights on the evolving role of nurses.
Attendees gained insights into the evolving roles of nurses within the Australian Defence while also marking the 80th anniversary of the roles and sacrifices of nurses that occurred during the Japanese invasion of Singapore in February 1942.
The Military Faculty Conference was an opportunity to engage, reflect and honour the service of Australia’s military nurses.
The ACN National Nursing Executive (NNE) Faculty is a closed, invitation-only, team of members, who come together and share a wealth of experience and nursing leadership knowledge. The faculty is made up of Nurse Executives from across Australia who have leadership carriage of more than one facility or service.
At the National Nursing Forum (NNF) in 2022, this group of national nurse leaders held their inaugural meeting face-to-face, with discussions about issues facing the national workforce both currently and into the future.
This faculty is co-chaired by Adjunct Professor Alannah Geary FACN and Kate Gillan FACN and they are both committed to influencing and
supporting a nursing profession across Australia that is resilient and capable of continuing to provide high-level nursing care despite challenges that arise.
The overall aim of the faculty is to become the most senior of collective voices on nursing issues that affect organisations managing services from within all areas of health delivery. They look forward to being contributors to the development of future workforce strategies.
The NNE is again holding a face-to-face meeting at the 2023 NNF where future planning will continue, strategies be developed, and a further commitment made to “Shaping Health, Advancing Nursing” from a National Nursing perspective.
ACNNetworks provide opportunities for member engagement across Australia. The Chair of each Network is responsible for promoting ACN in their State, creating networking opportunities for Fellows and Members, representing ACN at external meetings and working with ACN to liaise with Ministers and other stakeholders.
ACN’s networks are supported by its Regions which allow Fellows and members to connect at a more local area. ACN would like to take this opportunity to thank all Fellows and Members who have volunteered their time and experience in representing their regions.
NORTHERN TERRITORY
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
QUEENSLAND – NORTH WEST
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
VICTORIA – GEELONG
VICTORIA – MELBOURNE
TASMANIA
NSW Central & Far West
NEW SOUTH WALES –CENTRAL & FAR WEST
VICTORIA – GOULBURN & MURRAY
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
QUEENSLAND –DARLING DOWNS
QUEENSLAND –BRISBANE
NEW SOUTH WALES –SYDNEY
Last year was a big year for all our regions, as face-to-face networking returned. Combining these events with online webinars and meetings and we have managed to engage with thousands of members throughout the year.
This year we are spotlighting three of our regions that were able to achieve great things over the last 12 months.
The Tasmanian Region continued to provide engagement opportunities for its Region members to come together and connect. Throughout the last 12 months the Region has hosted regular online members meetings, as well as some face-to-face catch–ups.
They were also lucky enough to host two ACN Roadshows in Hobart and Burnie.
Nance Arnold FACN, the Tasmanian State Chair, is always looking for unique ideas
to engage members. For example, one of her ideas was to host a face-to-face networking event where pottery was the accompanying focus. Members had the opportunity to create their own masterpieces while collaborating and chatting about all things nursing.
The beginning of 2023 has also seen ACN Tasmanian members attend a “Welcome to 2023, TAS Region Networking event”
Tasmania is filled with some wonderful nurses who enjoy the collaboration and networking that their ACN state/region provides. There are still some vacancies in the Tasmanian leadership team support positions and Nance would love any of you to join her in planning activities and leading the team for 2023.
Our NSW Sydney Region has also had a fantastic year, including the onboarding of additional Leadership Team members to support the Regions’ activities. The Region held two face-to-face events, as well as some engaging webinars, gaining lots of interest from nurses across Australia.
The Sydney Region Chair, Robyn Quinn FACN, and Deputy Chair Sam Jakimowicz FACN have truly embraced their leadership skills and have welcomed and nurtured four Emerging Nurse Leaders (photos above) to now complete this vibrant team.
They have had excellent attendance at both their events and their webinars.
Their abstract writing webinar received great feedback as people planned their National Nursing Forum submissions and gained skills for any future submissions in their work environment.
They have combined with other faculties (for example the Leadership Faculty and the Disaster Faculty) to share skills and topics that are relevant across the profession
Their face-to-face networking events are also a lot of fun and last year they had a nurse who consults on the film set of Home and Away as a guest.
Their most recent webinar titled Nursing Career Pathways, was also a huge success with some of our ACN members on twitter describing the presentation as “amazing” and the speakers “inspirational”.
We listened to Corey Sclater MACN from Far West Health Service, Anthony
Russell FACN from the Australian Defense Force (and ACN Military Chair) and our very own ACN Manager for Professional Engagement Kath Lynch MACN, talk about their own personal career pathways, the programs they have been involved in, the rollercoaster ride of nursing as well as some tips for success.
The Sydney Leadership team has already had some great plans for the coming year, so watch this space for even further engagement opportunities.
The South Australia Region has a newly formed Leadership Team who have been working on engaging current and prospective members, attending University “O” Week celebrations, and creating face-to-face events and webinars.
This is the region to watch going forward, the state chair Jai Kaur MACN is so determined to continue to promote ACN and engage all the nurses working so hard in South Australia to join our tribe.
One of the highlights from this year’s activities was the networking event held late last year where a wonderful night for members was hosted by ACN and the SA Leadership team. New friendships and connections were made as this group of members came together to collaborate and celebrate.
If you are a nurse working in South Australia, reach out to this dynamic group of nurses and get involved in all things ACN in South Australia, the Leadership Team would love to hear from you.
This year, ACN was pleased to introduce numerous new members to the Leadership Team for the ACT Region. The recruitment process unveiled a talent pool of nurses who were appointed to the Chair and Deputy Chair roles as well as four leadership support positions.
Chair, Patrice Murray MACN, leads an extremely engaged, energetic, collaborative, and busy ACT Leadership team. She is ably supported by Christine Smith FACN (DLF), Karen O’Brien MACN, Sujatha Shanmugasundaram MACN, Monica Tencic MACN, and Lucy Firth MACN to complete the team.
The team is diverse coming from many different areas of nursing and is already showing advocacy for nurses and the nursing profession in ACT.
The ACT International Nurses Day National Breakfast was a huge success where many members had the opportunity to meet the new leadership team as well as the ACT Health Minister, Rachel Stephens-Smith.
The team is busy planning for the year ahead and is keen to engage other ACT members to be part of strategic planning. Watch this dynamic team continue to do great things.
Each year in September, ACN Nursing in the Community Faculty celebrates Nursing in the Community Week (12 – 18 September 2022) to highlight the valuable and often hidden ways nurses contribute to the community. The Faculty hosted webinars throughout the week sharing stories and offering inspiration and advice to aspiring nurses. ACN also partnered with The University of Wollongong on a webinar to offer inspiration and advice for a rewarding career in community nursing.
A post during Nursing in the Community Week – heading to work with ACN goodies
Nursing in the Community Week webinar hosted by the University of Wollongong Photo provided by the University of Wollongong, Alumni Engagement
ACN provides members with the opportunity to represent ACN in a wide variety of activities and forums. Representation at ACN is a highly valued and recognised opportunity and includes government department advisory committee meetings, health professional roundtable discussions, and government and non-government working groups.
ACN Faculty and Region groups lead webinars and workshops and attend other important engagement events such as NNF, Orientation Week and Industry and Open days.
External organisations regularly contact ACN and request representation to sit in on opportunities to comment on policy, help guide decision-making, challenge decisions and advocate for the nursing profession. These representation opportunities help ACN achieve its strategic direction of Shaping Health, Advancing Nursing. Our representatives are extremely valued and do these opportunities voluntarily. Representatives are selected via an expression of interest process open to all members of ACN.
Representation enables members to showcase their expertise, passion, and dedication to the profession, encourages involvement among nurses and promotes the national voice of nurses.
The following ACN members represented ACN over the last year, and we thank them for all their time, expertise and valued contribution.
Dr Amanda Garlick FACN
Orientation Day
University of Technology Sydney
Amanda Johnson MACN
Nursing and Midwifery Policy and Guidelines Review
Identifying & Responding to AOD issues in Healthcare
NSW Health
Amy Bell
New Grad Week
Austin Health
Ankita Shrestha
National Rural and Remote Nursing Generalist Framework Launch
Austin Health
Anna Jones MACN
SA Health Practitioners Tribunal
Government of South Australia
Brett Jones MACN
Australian Stroke Coalition Quality Service Awards Committee
Australian Stroke Coalition
Carolyn Cochrane MACN
Graduate Nursing Information Night Latrobe University
Dr Carolyn Stapleton FACN
National Aged Care Alliance (NACA) NACA
MRHP Council
Migrant & Refugee health Partnership
Health Provider Partnership Forum
Department of Veterans’ Affairs
Eliminating Cervical Cancer in Australia - Workshop
Australian Centre for the Prevention of Cervical Cancer
Christine Collins MACN
Painaustralia - Clinical Advisory Group
Painaustralia
Christine Farrell MACN
Aged Care on-Site Pharmacist Consultation Forum
Department of Heath and Aged Services
Christine Mackey MACN
Patient Blood Management Advisory Committee
National Blood Authority
Christine Smith FACN (DLF)
National Rural and Remote Nursing Generalist Framework Launch
Australian Department of Health
Christopher O’Donnell FACN
Nurse Practitioner Advisory Group
NMBA
Nurse Practitioner 10 Year Plan
Steering Committee
Department of Health
Dr Dale Pugh FACN
National Sepsis Clinical Reference Group
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care
Deborah Kenna OAM MACN
ACN Scholarships Puggy Hunter First Nation Representative
ACN
Diva Madan
Aging Societies Committee MB-027
Standards Australia
Professor Donna Waters FACN
2023 Universitas Airlangga’s Nursing Conference
Universitas Airlangga’s
Drew Dwyer FACN
Enrolled Nursing Industry Reference Committee
Australian Industry and Skills Committee
Dr Elizabeth Halcomb FACN
Expert Steering Committee for National Preventive Health Strategy
Department of Health
Data Asset Steering Committee
Australian Institue of Health and Welfare
Elizabeth Strathdee MACN
Expert Reference Group - Standards of Practice
AANSA
Emma Metcalfe-Nash MACN
Western Australia Therapeutics Advisory Group
Department of Health
Erica O’Donoghue MACN
Endometriosis Online Leanring
Resources Steering Committee
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG)
Fiona Brew MACN
Ministerial Advisory Committee on Surgical Services (MACSS)
Department of Health and Human Services (VIC)
Dr Frances Peart FACN
CAHA Board Position
Climate & Health Alliance
Frances Rice MACN
Overseas Skills and Qualification
Recognition (OSQR) Professional Reference Group
NSW Department of Primary Industries
Adjunct Professor Greg Rickard FACN
President
Nursing and Midwifery Council of NSW
Hannah Beks MACN
Small Rural Hospitals Working Group
Independent Hospital Pricing Authority (IHPA)
Small Rural Hospitals
Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority
Heather Keighley FACN
National Rural Health Alliance
National Rural Health Alliance (NRHA)
National Rural Nurse Generalist
Steering Committee
National Rural Health Commissioner
Dr Jacinta Kelly
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workforce Event Series
AHPRA
Jai Kaur MACN
Care Ambition 2030 National Forum Flinders University
Dr Jane Desborough MACN
Data Asset Steering Committee
Australian Institue of Health and Welfare
Jane Pappin MACN
Healthcare Management Industry Advisory Board
Flinders University
Dr Jayne Hewitt MACN
Voluntary Assisted Dying Half-Day Roundtable
ACT Health
Jennifer Breen MACN
Infection Control Clinical Indicators
Working Party
The Australian Council on Healthcare Standards (ACHS)
Dr Jennifer Weller-Newton FACN
Deakin MBA (HCM) program advisory board
Deakin University
Jo Bowden MACN
Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum (APEC)
Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
Jo Souther n MACN
Steering Committee
Australian Ethical Health Alliance
Dr Joanne Ramadge FACN
ACT Health Workforce Strategy Co-Design Forum ACT Government
Juanita Ielasi MACN
Bangka Island Memorial Service
South Australian Women’s Memorial
Playing Fields Trust INC.
Orientation Day
University of South Australia
Juanita at Orientation Day, University of South Australia
Judith Bulten MACN
Stakeholder Advisory Committee
Monash University
Julie Tucker MACN
SA Health Practitioners Tribunal
Government of South Australia
Kalpana Raghunathan FACN
Digital Health Virtual Forums
Australian Digital Health Agency
Karen Daly
New Grad Week
Central Cost Local Health District
Dr Kasia Bail MACN
Older Person’s Nursing Roundtable ACT Synergy Nursing & Midwifery Research Centre
Kate Robinson
New Grad Week
Central Cost Local Health District
Kath Lynch MACN
New Grad Week
Central Cost Local Health District
Kathryn Riddle MACN
Professional Reference Group (PRG) on the Review of the ANMAC Registered Nurse Accreditation Standards
Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC)
Kay Richards FACN
National Aged Care Mandatory Quality Indicator Program Technical Expert Group
Department of Health
Kulia Moala MACN
Orientation Day
University of Technology Sydney
Adjunct Professor Kylie Ward FACN
CoNNMO CoNNMO
Decriminalisation Round Table Medical Panel - NSW
Women’s Electrol Lobby
Lara McIntyre FACN
Aged Care Complaints Commissioner Consultative Committee
Aged Care Complaints Commissioner
Lauren Barber MACN
National Strategic Blood Forum Lifeblood Redcross
Orientation Day
University of Technology Sydney
Linda Davidson FACN
Australian Day Hospital Association Conference
Australian Day Hospital Assoication
New Grad Week
Central Cost Local Health District
Lisa Beccaria MACN
Queensland Nursing and Midwifery
Peak Bodies Research Forum
Queensland Nurses & Midwives Union
Professor Lorna Moxham FACN
Suicide Competency Framework
Suicide Prevention Australia
Louise Botha MACN
Professional Colleges Advisory Committee
ACT Health
Dr Lucie Ramjan MACN
Digital Ages and Stages Project Advisroy Panel
Centre for Digital Wellbeing
Dr Lyn Francis MACN
EOI for Special Interest Group on Firearms and Domestic & Family Violence
Australian Gun Safety Alliance
Dr Lynette Brown FACN
Orientation Day
Charles Darwin University - Port Maquarie
Dr Marilyn Cruickshank FACN
Redevelopment of the Hand Hygeine Modules
The Comission
Professor Marilyn Cruickshank FACN
National Clinical Taskforce
Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care
National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence
Taskforce
Clinical Evidence Taskforce
Dr Maureen Chapman MACN
Digital Health Virtual Forums
Australian Digital Health Agency
Dr Michelle Gibb MACN
EAG Wound Consumables Scheme
Scoping Study
Department of Heath and Aged Services
SA Health Practitioners Tribunal
Government of South Australia
Michelle Hogan MACN
NHMRC Partner Project Advisory Group (Dementia Research)
Step Up for Dementia Research
Guidelines for the ‘Administration of certain substances by aged-care workers in residential aged care facilitites’
Department of Health
Review of implementation resources for the electronic National Residential Medication Chart (eNRMC)
The Comission
Naomi Dobroff FACN
Advisory Committee to the Digital Health Capability Framework for the Nursing and Midwifery Workforce Program
My Health Record Steering Committee
Australian Digital Health Agency
Naomi Strout MACN
Babies Born to Mothers with COVID19 - Working Group
National COVID19 Taksforce
Australian Society for Medical Research
Affiliate Meeting - March
Nerissa Singh MACN
Digital Health Virtual Forums
Australian Digital Health Agency
Dr Nichole Harvey MACN
Townsville Aged Care Community Reference Group
Cathy O’Toole MP
Dr Pammie Ellem MACN
New Grad Presentation
Central West Hopsital and Health Service
Prachi Javalekar MACN
Digital Health Virtual Forums
Australian Digital Health Agency
Rebecca Munt MACN
Expert Reference Group - National Diabetes Nursing Education
Framework
Australian Diabetes Educators Association
Rheannwynn Sneesby MACN
Corporal Punishment Working Group
Australian Catholic University
Robyn Quinn FACN
Council
Australian Council of Healthcare Standards
Health Professional Bank Advisory Committee
Health Professional Bank
Australian Pain Solutions Alliance Reference Group
Australian Pain Solutions Alliance
Australian Pain Solutions Alliance Reference Group FPM ANZCA
Sally Duncan MACN
Health Informatics IT-014 Committee Standards Australia
Adjunct Professor Sally Sara MACN
Intercollegiate Advisory Group
Cancer Australia
Samara Geering MACN
Wiser Wound Care Centre of Research
Excellence Expert Advisory Group
NHMRC
Sandra Kumar MACN
Graduate Nursing Information Night Latrobe University
Sandra Lever MACN
Australian Stroke Coalition
Australian Stroke Coalition
Sarah Hughes MACN
Industry Advisory Group AIDH Clinical Informatics Fellowship
Australasian Institute of Digital Health
Professor Sandy Middleton FACN
Academic Clinical Pathways Working Group
Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS)
Selina Ward FACN
Moderna Australia Rountable Moder na Australia
Statutory Advisory Committee
Therapeutic Goods Administration
Sophie Taylor MACN
MSNA Conference
MS Nurses Australasia
Sue Mapletoft MACN
Primary Health Care Undergraduate Course Reference Group
University of Notre Dame
The Royal Children’s Hospital
Melbourne
PEDS Stakeholder Group
Dr Suja Shan MACN
Disease Control Consultaiton Workshop
Department of Heath and Aged Services
Susan Emerson MACN
NACA
National Aged Care Alliance (NACA)
Interim Aged Care Working Group
IHACPA
Department of Health and Aged Services Phone Consult
Department of Heath and Aged Services
HIRAID - Aged Care Steering Committee
University of Sydney
Sussan Pleunik FACN
Nursing Courses Advisory Committee
La Trobe University
Suzanne Foot MACN
Monkeypox Expert Panel
National COVID19 Taksforce
Dr Suzanne Sinni MACN
Classifications Clinical Advisory Group (CCAG)
Independent Hospital Pricing Authority (IHPA)
Suzanne Querruel MACN
Orientation Day
Charles Darwin University - Bathurst
Tatiana Garwood MACN
National Digital Health Strategy Draft Consultation Meeting
Australian Digital Health Agency
Tina Forshaw MACN
Nursing & Midwifery Leaders Network
ACT Health
Tracy Kidd MACN
Australian Resuscitation CouncilNational
Australian Resuscitation Council
Vanessa Stalley-Gordon MACN
SA Health Practitioners Tribunal
Government of South Australia
Veronika Garrett MACN
Aged Care Advisory Group
Australian Digital Health Agency
Professor Virginia Plummer FACN
Stakeholder Advisory Committee
Independent Hospital Pricing Authority
Yvonne McKinlay FACN
Edith Cavell Trust
ANMF NSW Branch
ITECA New South Wales Committee
Independent Tertiary Education Council
Australia
ITECA Higher Education Committee
Independent Tertiary Education Council
Australia
Course Advisory Committee
University of Canberra
Registered Nurse Prescribing Accreditation Standards (RNPAS)
Professional Reference Group (PRG)
Australian Nursing and Midwifery
Accreditation Council
Lions Nurses Scholarship Foundation
Lions NSW/ACT Nurses Scholarship Foundation
The ACN Institute of Leadership prides itself on ensuring all nurses can develop as leaders and supports nurses at all career stages to extend their leadership skills and confidence. Nursing is a fast-paced and everchanging profession, one in which constant learning and development is not an option but is essential to the delivery of safe and effective healthcare. ACN offers a range of leadership
development opportunities including CPD short courses, formal leadership programs with the Institute of Leadership, and graduate certificates, enabling nurses to enhance their leadership skills and progress their careers.
In 2022-23 ACN’s leadership programs continued to support nurses across the country.
The ENL program is designed to develop skills, build confidence, and provide opportunities for nurses to represent the nursing profession as leaders. Up to fifty participants ranging from undergraduate 3rd year to Registered Nurse Year 5 are selected for the ENL program each year. These nurses have demonstrated a commitment to leadership in nursing through their involvement in student, nursing and/or community activities. Their emerging leadership skills are further developed through a blend of formal education, self-reflection, mentoring and action-based learning opportunities. This is a self-paced nine-month program, based on adult and action learning principles. During 2022, there were 45 ENLs who successfully completed the program adding to the total of 251 graduates and alumni of the ENL program over the 10 years of the ENL Program.
ENL Mentors and Reviewers
We are extremely grateful and wish to acknowledge the ongoing valuable support of our ENL Mentors and Reviewers who play an integral role in supporting the success of the ENL program.
ENL Mentors 2022/2023
Caroline Hoyle MACN
Belynda Abbott FACN
Sonia Martin MACN
Louise Mackie MACN
Elspeth Wood MACN
Joanne Mapes FACN
Kerry Wilcox MACN
Tiffany Conroy FACN
Yvonne McKinlay FACN
Tony McGillion MACN
Ben Chiarella MACN
Eva Storey MACN
Lisa Russ MACN
Kaye Rolls MACN
Samantha Jakimowicz FACN
Jo Southern MACN
Caroline Browne MACN
Judith Needham MACN
Ann Aitken FACN
Elizabeth Matters FACN
Anita Dunn MACN
Melanie Bish MACN
Erin McLeod MACN
Michele Rumsey FACN
Matthew Beverley-Stone MACN
Jennifer Smith MACN
Hazel Butcher MACN
Wendy Davis MACN
Jessica Biles MACN
Georgina Willetts FACN
Kalpana Raghunathan FACN
Kathy Baker FACN (DLF)
Colleen Cheek MACN
Rebecca Jedwab FACN
ENL Reviewers
Kalpana Raghunathan FACN
Robyn Quinn FACN
Nancy Arnold FACN
Christine Ashley FACN
Jenny Weller-Newton FACN
Lorraine Stevenson FACN
Gabrielle Hickey FACN
Pamela Brinsmead FACN
Dale Pugh FACN
Leeanne Schmidt FACN
Carol Mirco FACN
Ingrid Brooks FACN
Emerging Nurse Leader Program February 2022 Cohort
The Mid-Career Nurse Leadership Program is a dynamic 6-month course that empowers nurses to lead change in a rapidly changing environment. The program targets Registered Nurses who have more than six years of professional experience and have worked in or is new to the management and leadership role.
By taking part in this innovative course, participants are empowered and inspired through personal development, career coaching and learning sets. On completion participants will be equipped with the skills to lead health workplace cultures through innovation, redesign and change. They will have honed the ability to develop high-performing teams that have a culture of success and achievement.
The Nurse Executive Leadership Program will develop those in, or those aspiring to, nurse executive roles with the capabilities required to meet the future social, political and economic challenges in health and aged care. The 6-month program is structured to meet the requirements of ACN’s Nurse Executive Capability Framework supporting nursing executives nationally to continue in the health and aged care industry as they navigate the current health care landscape and strengthen their knowledge and influence in their existing and future role
The Nurse Executive Leadership Program is unique in that it is a bespoke program providing theoretical, case studies and senior executive presentations of real life experiences. Case studies, theory and solutions are debated, interrogated and analysed in a safe, supportive and professional space. Participants provide a report at 6 months outlining their growth and capability development aligned to the Nurse Executive capability Framework to gain recognition of completion of the program.
The Health Minister’s Award for Nursing Trailblazers (Trailblazers Award) recognises nurse innovators who lead the way to transform our health and aged care systems.
The Finalists in 2022, Professor Josephine Chow MACN, Dr Kate Holliday MACN and Claire Lane MACN, were acknowledged for making a real difference for the disadvantaged and often overlooked.
Professor Chow was nominated for developing and successfully implementing the South Western Sydney Local Health District Clinical Nurse Consultant Research Quarantine Time Program, which remotely monitored COVID-19 patients in their homes.
Dr Holiday was nominated for her Pathways Telehealth Nurse Specialists program, established to support patients with the most complex needs, navigate the health system and empower and educate consumers on best practices and available options.
Ms Lane was nominated for her not-for-profit Save Our Supplies initiative, which addresses the enormous waste in the hospital system by collecting usable medical items that would otherwise be disposed of and then redistributing them to other charitable organisations that already distribute aid packages to developing nations.
On 17 August, during an award ceremony at the National Nursing Forum in Darwin, the Assistant Minister for Health and Aged
Care, Ged Kearney MP, announced Claire Lane as the 2022 winner of the Health Minister’s Award for Nursing Trailblazers.
Claire’s work with SOS has continued to grow and support numerous communities here and overseas. SOS delivers 400 different types of medical supplies to communities and people in need all over the world. Since SOS began, they have delivered supplies valued at over $7 million. In 2021 alone, SOS delivered approximately $2 million worth of supplies. In addition, SOS supplies have been delivered to Australian specialist doctors who travel overseas to deliver a range of
volunteer medical services thereby helping them to expand and improve the range of care options they are able to provide.
SOS supplies have also been used to assist disadvantaged community groups in Queensland and were even able to provide Personal Protection Equipment to local Brisbane hospitals at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when stock ran low. SOS helped a number of charities involved in caring for injured animals following the devastating 2019/20 bushfires by providing burn injury-related supplies.
Claire’s dream is to secure funding for SOS and turn it into her full-time job.
To be selected as a finalist in the Nurse Trailblazer Awards is an amazing feeling, as it will help me achieve my vision of eliminating the clean hospital waste currently dumped in landfill by our Australian hospitals.
Claire Lane MACN, 2022 Winner
Being a finalist is truly an honour. The Health Minister’s Award for Nursing Trailblazers is such an important initiative because it it values the contribution nurses make to the health system and acknowledges that the evidence that nurse-led services generate.
Dr Kate Holliday MACN, 2022 Finalist
Being named a finalist for the work I and my team have done is a powerful symbol of what nurses can do. When nurses are put into the centre of health challenges, we always deliver innovative solutions that put people first.
Professor Josephine Chow MACN, 2022 Finalist
On 30 July the 2022 Outstanding Leadership Awards were held in Brisbane. At this event, Australian College of Nursing (ACN) Fellows and Members were recognised for their ongoing contributions. These awards champion leaders across organisations who make kindness, diversity and inclusion part of their everyday culture.
Sonia Martin MACN, the 2021 recipient of the Health Minister’s Award for Nursing Trailblazers, was named Entrepreneur/ Start-Up Leader of The Year 2022 for her work with Sunny Street.
In May 2023 Sonia Martin was again recognised for her work with Sunny Street at the 17th HESTA Australian Nursing and Midwifery Awards. Sunny Street took out the Outstanding Organisation Award for its work promoting innovative primary health care for Australians experiencing homelessness and poverty.
At ACN we are always thrilled to see our Fellows and Members being recognised for their outstanding contributions to the nursing profession.
The International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame recognises nurse researchers who achieve significant and sustained national and/or international recognition for their work and whose research actively influences the profession and the people it serves.
2022 marked the 13th presentation of the prestigious Hall of Fame honour. There were 32 recipients representing Australia, Canada, Italy, Nigeria, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The four Australian recipients were ACN President Emeritus Professor Christine Duffield FACN; Professor Lisa McKenna FACN; Professor Jeroen Hendriks MACN; and Professor Tracey Levett-Jones MACN.
Congratulations to all four recipients for this well-deserved recognition.
Distinguished Professor Patsy Yates AM FACN was made a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Services. She was awarded for her international contributions that have had a positive impact on health and medical research, particularly in cancer and palliative care services.
This adds to the many distinctions Professor Yates has already received. Among others, she is also an ACN Fellow and is a regular contributor to The Hive
The Commonwealth Health Minister’s Award for Excellence in Health and Medical Research
The Commonwealth Health Minister’s Award for Excellence in Health and Medical Research is given annually to the top-ranked recipient of a National Health and Medical Research Council (MHMRC) Investigator Grant in the Emerging Leadership Level 2 category.
This Award was given to a leading researcher tackling health care-associated infection, Professor Brett Mitchell FACN, from Avondale University and recognises Professor Mitchell’s outstanding research in infection control.
One in 10 patients in an Australian hospital acquires an infection during their stay which is a major cause of complications and a significant burden on the health care system. Professor Mitchell is working towards the prevention of infections – in both hospitals and community settings – as a consequence of receiving health care treatment.
We congratulate Professor Mitchell and wish him well in his ongoing research.
ACN congratulates Collegian: The Australian Journal of Nursing Practice, Scholarship and Research Editor-in-Chief, Professor Lisa Whitehead FACN, for winning the prestigious West Australian Nurse of the Year in 2022!
Professor Whitehead is among the top two per cent of nurse researchers worldwide. She was recognised for her contributions to nursing, rehabilitation, public health and health services and its impact across Western Australia, Australia, and internationally.
Congratulations, Professor Whitehead, for a well-deserved award.
ACN would like to congratulate all nurses, both past and present, and in particular our Fellows and Members, who received Australia Day and King’s Birthday Honours in 2023.
The Honours are awarded to Australian citizens who have displayed excellence, achievement or meritorious service and contributions to society.
Well done to all nurses on their achievements!
Editor-in-Chief for CollegianAdjunct Professor Alanna Geary FACN received two prestigious awards recognising her ongoing contributions to health.
Adjunct Professor was awarded the 2022 Griffith University Outstanding Alumnus Award - Griffith Health, and the University of Southern Queensland (UniSC) HIghly Commended Alumnus in Health and Wellbeing for her sustained exceptional success in, and outstanding contribution to health as well as a sustained contribution to the community.
Adjunct Professor Geary has extensive health care leadership and management experience and is passionate about the role of nurses and midwives in the delivery of health care. She is also ACN Chair of the Workforce Sustainability Policy Chapter which is primarily focussed on the impact of long-COVID-19 on nurses professionally and personally. The primary focus of this Chapter is the impact of long COVID-19 on nurses personally and professionally.
Adjunct Professor Ward was awarded the Chief of the Defence Force Commendation for her exceptional devotion to the nurses of the Australian Defence Force, past, present and future. She has also continued to work hard to pursue the recognition and commemoration of the 1942 massacre of nurses on Bangka Island and her work shows her respect for those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in service.
We provide the evidence, briefings and reports that enforce change.
ACN develops national policies, guidelines and position statements for nursing, health and social justice. These outline the evidence base and ACN’s position to provide guidance to members for their practice and at their workplaces.
ACN’s Policy Chapters assist in the development of ACN’s policies and ensure the nursing voice is heard, advocating for change by drawing on the specialised skills and expertise of ACN members and external stakeholders to work with and influence governments and policymakers.
In the past year, ACN developed the following:
• Second responder for callouts in rural, remote, and isolated workplace settings Position Statement.
• Impact of COVID-19 on the Nursing Profession-Managing repercussions, enabling opportunities Position Statement.
• Nurse-led innovations in response to COVID-19 for adults living with chronic disease and multimorbidity Position Statement.
• The role of nurses in a public health response to child abuse and neglect Position Statement.
• Nurses and Violence Position Statement (Revised - 2022).
• Clinical Research Nursing Standards.
• The Nursing Response to the Climate Emergency White Paper.
ACN had three active Policy Chapters in the past year.
The Chronic Disease Policy Chapter focused on identifying gaps in healthcare provisions for people with chronic or complex conditions due to restrictions or fear of COVID-19 and developed recommendations to address identified gaps through nursing.
CHAIR
Professor Lisa Whitehead FACN
The Emissions Reduction Policy Chapter identified the intersection of social determinants of health (gender, geography, and socio-economic status) and climate change impacts; and developed recommendations for nurses to drive best practices in health care delivery to address these challenges.
The Workforce Sustainability Policy Chapter identified the impact of long COVID-19 on nurses personally and professionally and developed recommendations for governments and employers to best support nurses.
CHAIR
Adjunct Professor
Alanna Geary FACN
CHAIR
Dr Aletha Ward MACN
DEPUTY CHAIR
DEPUTY CHAIR
Robyn Quinn FACN
DEPUTY CHAIR
Mark Holmes MACN
Jenny Weller-Newton FACN
Impact of COVID-19 on the nursing profession: managing repercussions, enabling opportunities
Healthcare professionals are witnessing the health effects of climate firsthand. The increasing intensity, frequency, and occurrence of natural disasters combined with unprecedented climate-affected health problems place significant pressure on our health system. Ironically, the health sector significantly contributes to emissions while caring for the community’s climate change impacts most. This white paper outlines a three-step climate stewardship approach for nurses responding to climate emergencies.
Second responder for callouts in rural, remote, and isolated workplace settings
ACN is committed to ensuring the safety of all nurses, particularly those working in rural, remote, and isolated workplace settings. This Position Statement emphasises the imperative for nurses to be safe in their workplaces. It is no longer reasonable for nurses to work in single-nurse posts without the support of a second responder. ACN will continue collaborating with State and Federal Governments to support national second responder legislation with the onus on organisations to provide safe work environments.
While nurses have shown remarkable resilience and professionalism during the pandemic response, shifting focus from its immediate effects to the broader, long-term impacts on the workforce is crucial. This Position Statement addresses the short and long-term health effects of COVID-19 on the nursing profession and strongly recommends the review of current clinical placement models to sustain the existing workforce and meet the evolving demands of the future. ACN is dedicated to providing nurses with the necessary support, skills, and resources to work to their full potential through professional development opportunities, enablement, and supportive practices.
We know nurses made a substantial impact on the management of care and treatment for people living with chronic disease and multimorbidity during the COVID-19 pandemic, but we need dedicated support to drive and evaluate innovations in practice. The visibility of nurse-led innovations is low; good practice cannot be shared or acknowledged without disseminating the outcomes.
This Position Statement draws attention to the fact that people living with chronic disease and multimorbidity face complex care challenges and higher morbidity and mortality rates. Education and research funding on the design and evaluation of innovative practice initiatives to address the health needs of communities are urgently needed.
Through prevention and early intervention, nurses can drive the public health response needed to protect at-risk children from potential or actual harm. This Position Statement highlights the need for a public health approach and response to child abuse and neglect in Australia. It provides nurses with an understanding of current child protection systems and how a public health approach to child protection can target the social determinants that cause child abuse and neglect. ACN believes nurses can lead positive health and social change through their relationships and clinical care of children, families, and communities.
Every nurse, wherever they practice, has a role in the safe and appropriate identification, assessment and ongoing support of people experiencing domestic and family violence (DFV). Nurses at every level, including student nurses, need to be equipped with the necessary resources, knowledge, and skills to support victimsurvivors of DFV. This position statement has been reviewed and updated.
ACN has developed through a consultative process, the Clinical Research Nursing Standards aim to improve recognition of the CRN’s specialised role, which provides an invaluable contribution to advancing health care and patient-related outcomes through research. In acknowledging the CRN’s unique skill set and expertise, the Standards define a new era in ensuring future recognition of the CRN role within Australia. The Standards will support the development of career pathways and formal award recognition and help shape a future national network of clinical research nursing professionals.
ACN supports and promotes safe work environments while improving policies and processes to eradicate occupational violence against nurses. The unacceptable experience of occupational violence against nurses is widespread. ACN does not accept this risk to nurses and will work tirelessly to support the introduction of legislation and initiatives that will ensure our workplaces are safe for the nursing profession.
In 2021, ACN established the Nurses and Violence Taskforce designed to develop policy and support advocacy. That Taskforce incorporates four committees:
• Nurses experiencing domestic violence
• Nurses caring for people experiencing domestic violence
• Occupational violence
• Nurses and child protection
Co-Chair - Dr Jacqui Pitch MACN
The Committee examined the gaps in existing services for nurses and looked at how healthcare employers can create supportive environments for nurses who may be victims of domestic violence.
Co-Chair - Associate Professor Leesa Hooker MACN
The Committee reviewed and updated ACNs Nurses and Violence Position Statement. Every nurse, wherever they practice, has a role to play in the safe and appropriate identification, assessment and ongoing support of people experiencing domestic and family violence (DFV) and need to be equipped with the necessary resources, knowledge, and skills to support victim-survivors of DFV.
Co-Chair - Professor Georgina Willetts FACN
ACN is committed to ensuring the safety of all nurses, particularly those working in rural, remote, and isolated workplace settings. In 2022, we released Second responder for callouts in rural, remote, and isolated workplace settings Position Statement. The Committee, with ACN, heavily lobbied the Government to legislate national second responder laws and initiatives that support the safety of all nurses in Australia.
Co-Chair - Rheannwynn Sneesby MACN
The Committee developed and released a Position Statement on The role of nurses in a public health response to child abuse and neglect. ACN believes nurses are crucial in driving a public health response to prevent, identify, respond to, and report child abuse and neglect.
ACN annually hosts an invitation-only Policy Summit in Canberra. At the Summit, Policy Fellows, Chapter Chairs, and Distinguished Guests engage in high-level discussions regarding ACN’s policy strategy and broader issues affecting nursing and healthcare.
Outcomes of the Summit include direction for Policy Chapters, policy discussions, networking, and connections with the government.
On 17 March 2023, The National Convention Centre in Canberra was a hive of energy, ideas, and purpose as ACN hosted its sixth Policy Summit.
The theme of the 2023 Policy Summit was “Power, Persistence and Influence”, which guided discussions between nursing leaders, Government representatives, national health policy experts and ACN members concerning future policy strategies and directions for the nursing workforce.
Empowering, future-focused addresses from ACN President Emeritus Professor Christine Duffield FACN and CEO Adjunct Professor Kylie Ward FACN delivered a call to action for the future of the nursing profession. ACN members were invited to claim their power by elevating their professional status and actively engaging with all levels of government. Amplifying the nursing voice among the medical status quo was recommended for embedding a nursing perspective in health care policy reform.
Keynote speakers Adjunct Professor (Practice) Alison McMillan MACN PSM, Professor Lisa Whitehead FACN and Paul Creech PSM addressed The Summit and raised critical, future implications for nursing.
In their keynote addresses, the current challenges of the nursing profession were acknowledged, and hope, encouragement, and vision for the future of nursing were offered.
This year, ACN members voted for the top five policy priorities for 2023 at the Summit.
• Aged Care
• Skilled Migration
• Advanced Practice Nursing
• Scope of Practice
• Registered Nurse Prescribing These policy priorities will enable nurses to embrace their power to influence health outcomes for all Australians, persist with creating the opportunity to work to their full scope and influence the professionalism and path of nursing well into the future.
We want to thank all who attended and participated online and in person to making this year’s inspiring event such a success.
ACN is an institute of Higher Education. ACN provides exceptional educational opportunities with strong clinical focus and evidence-based practices. ACN is fully accredited for the delivery of higher education.
ACN is registered and accredited by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency for the delivery of higher education. We are also a Registered Training Organisation approved to deliver nationally accredited training with the Australian Skills Quality Authority.
ACN delivers postgraduate, CPD, and HESA accredited courses across a large number of nursing disciplines. This includes immunisation, aged care, palliative care, critical care, cancer nursing, community and primary health nursing, cosmetic nursing, and many more.
ACN has 21 graduate certificates and is the largest provider of graduate certificates in nursing in Australia. All of our courses are accredited with TEQSA with no conditions for seven years. Our graduate certificates are delivered online; this ensures that our students can access their learning even when they are juggling shift work or are based outside of the major cities in Australia. ACN will offer courses in niche areas and emerging practice areas. ACN’s courses are ‘fit for purpose’ as they are designed with industry partners, and we make our decisions based on need, not just volume of students, so we deliver on ACN’s mission, “Shaping Health, Advancing Nursing.”
ACN most recently introduced two new graduate courses – Diagnostic
DIAGNOSTIC AND INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGY NURSING
and Interventional Radiology Nursing and Digital Health Nursing.
The Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Nursing course provides the nursing knowledge required for advanced practice in the diagnostic and interventional radiology setting. It explores nursing’s professional, legal, and ethical aspects and the provision of evidence-based, collaborative care required of those in the medical imaging environment.
The Digital Health Nursing course is designed to meet the needs of registered nurses working in the digital health environment and who wish to extend their skills.
Both graduate certificates have been offered since July 2022.
DIGITAL HEALTH NURSING
ACN has been running a pathway to registration for Internationally Qualified Nurses for over twenty years. The course was developed by specialist nurses, industry experts and clinical stakeholders to facilitate a smooth transition into contemporary nursing practice. Ahpra has now introduced a new pathway and ACN enrolled their final Bridging cohort into their Graduate Certificate in Nursing in January 2023.
The images on this page are of our final cohort, their facilitators, and the course coordinator Suman Kumar MACN as they prepare for an observed structured clinical skills assessment for aseptic technique, one of the key components of the course. Suman is a former graduate and has been an essential advocate for the success of the course for the last five years.
The ACN Education Division was successful in the most recent (2022) NSW Health Education and Training Institute (HETI) tender securing scholarship opportunities for four Graduate Certificates: Addiction studies (Alcohol and other drugs), Critical care nursing, Neonatal care, and Paediatric nursing studies. ACN has a strong
history of partnership with HETI. They have been working together to provide graduate certificates to NSW nurses on scholarships since 2017. In 2022, 440 students were enrolled in a Graduate Certificate program under the previous scholarship scheme. Over 180 nurses have signed up through this program in 2023.
CPD continues to be cited as one of the most popular benefits to ACN membership and in response ACN embarked on a CPD centre redesign which was officially launched in March 2023. The new CPD centre has many improvements including more intuitive search functions. New features have been added including ‘bundle and save’ options.
In 2022 we offered 112 online CPD courses with over 6600 enrolments. We plan to add an additional 50+ modules in 2023.
Post COVID we were able to progressively reintroduce our face-to-face courses. In 2022 we offered five courses - Wound Update, Venepuncture and Cannulation, Urinary Catheterisation, Lymphoedema Management and Adverse Events Following Immunisation with a total of 20 sessions completed throughout the year across several states and territories across Australia.
In 2023 we have added an additional 10 courses with over 80 sessions to be conducted throughout the year. Feedback from students attending the face-to-face sessions has been overwhelmingly positive. They have enjoyed the collaborative learning and networking opportunities as well as gaining knowledge from not only the presenter’s expertise but from each other’s experiences.
Images on these pages are from our face-to-face course Venepuncture and Cannulation
ACN continues to offer customised education to meet the unique and varied professional development needs of nurses across Australia. Customised education can take many forms, from online CPD modules, face-to-face workshops, programs and courses. In 2022 we delivered customised education across a variety of settings and specialty areas including primary health, rehabilitation, aged care, leadership, mentoring, preceptoring and more.
Westmead Hospital approached ACN to provide members of their management team with four leadership training days in 2023.
The content to be covered in these sessions are:
• Leadership in March
• Communication and Engagement in June
• Smart decision system in September
• Strategic problem-solving in late November/ December.
Day 1 was held on 29 March 2023, with Emma Woodhouse, Manager of Education Development and Ashley Page, Nurse Educator, covering leadership topics such as defining leadership, communication, change and emotional intelligence. Approximately 35 nurse leaders attended the session.
ACT Health, approached ACN to provide members of their management team with Financial Management Education. The program held from April to May 2023 and consisted of two face-to-face sessions in Canberra and two online sessions via Cnnect with approximately 40 nurses attending.
Nurse Educators Ashley Page, and Erin Rooney covered financial management topics such as defining business planning, budget planning, accounting and Healthcare funding.
ACN takes its commitment to student experience and student outcomes very seriously and uses its evaluations to improve their courses for future cohorts. According to the ComparED website, 72.8% of students had a positive experience at ACN. ACN students’ employment outcomes are also very strong, as 89% of graduates are in fulltime employment four months after course completion.
ComparED gathers data from students, graduates and employees through the Quality Indicators of Teaching and Learning (QILT) surveys on student experience, course experience, and graduate outcomes. It also uses data from the Australian Tax Office. ComparED figures are aggregated from several years of surveys and reports, and thus are indicative of trends over a long period, rather than a reflection of a point in time.
In 2021-2022, ACN successfully tendered to provide the Aged Care Transition to Practice Program (ACTTP) to aged care providers across Australia. This included a first successful round to offer 270 places to RNs, who graduated within the last two years.
In early 2022 this tender was expanded to offer a further 460 places and to include Enrolled Nurses (EN) who qualified in the last two years and Registered Nurses (RN) who are transitioning to the Aged Care
specialty. The course is very popular and attracts many aged care providers from all over Australia. All places were secured within two months of signing the contract with the government.
The feedback ACN has received from aged care providers shows that participants are more confident, taking leadership roles, and improving the quality of health care for the older people in their care.
In addition, the reputation of ACN’s ACTTP has seen an increase in enquires from providers who have
missed out on funded places wanting customised programs that run similarly to the ACTTP currently in progress.
The Principles of Emergency Care course is designed for both RNs and EN’s working in any clinical setting in metropolitan, regional, rural and remote areas. It equips RNs and EN’s with the knowledge underpinning the skills needed to render first-line emergency care in emergency/critical situations. This course aims to enhance nurses’
critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and their confidence in decisionmaking when providing care to patients during emergency situations.
A Course Advisory Industry Reference Group was held in early April with industry experts to ensure the content was up to date and clinically relevant for our nurses undertaking this course.
The Professional Association of Nurses in Developmental Disability Australia Inc. (PANDDA) represents the professional interests of nurses who support people who have an intellectual developmental disability.
Nurses who work with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are known to care with great passion and commitment, addressing the biopsychosocial needs of a person with intellectual and developmental disabilities across a range of contexts, and over time.
Nurses work in therapeutic and professional relationships with individuals, as well as with families, groups and communities.
The conference theme reflected the current changes in the way that nurses provide or engineer services to people with an intellectual and developmental disability and their families in Australia.
ACN recently launched a unit Principles of Intellectual and Developmental Disability Nursing (333). This is an elective unit in GC in Acute Care Nursing, GC Aged Care Nursing and GC Community and Primary Health Care Nursing. The unit first started in July 2023.
ACN attended the PANDDA conference as both sponsors and an education advocate body. Emeritus Professor Christine Duffield FACN highlighted the nurse shortage and the importance of ongoing education opportunities for intellectual development disability nurses.
Virtual Open Day
ACN’s educational division held two virtual open days in November 2022 and April 2023. These open days are designed to advance individual careers and meet the education team and decide if it is the right time to pursue further studies. The day includes seminars on how to study online and what to expect from postgraduate
assessments and showcases ACN’s suite of continuing education programs. First held in 2021, the Virtual Open Day has been growing steadily.
In April 2023, ACN held its first ever Hybrid Open Day in conjunction with the ACN Nursing and Health Expo in Melbourne, with prospective students
attending not only online, but also in person. Our Nurse Educator Sally Byrne MACN was live in Melbourne and streamed online to steer future students through the seminars, including what support ACN students can expect, what Academic Integrity means and why it matters, and what they can expect from the transition to postgraduate study.
On 15 June 2023, nurses from across Australia came together in Sydney to attend their graduation from ACN. This was the first in-person ceremony since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and proved a special occasion for graduates to meet their peers and be presented with their testamur.
Graduating nurses were delighted to see the Occasional Address presented by Professor Deborah Hatcher MACN, the current Dean of Western Sydney University. Professor Hatcher used her Occasional Address to share her expert advice to all graduates, inspiring them to succeed and excel in their careers.
ACN was proud to confer students with their Graduate Certificates at the event as well as remotely, with almost 600 receiving their testamurs remotely.
The ACN President’s Award is presented each year to the graduate with the highest overall score across all programs of study. Congratulations to Ian Joshua Kersey Bone for receiving the 2023 President’s Award for an outstanding score in the Graduate Certificate in Critical Care Nursing.
ACN would also like to congratulate the 16 students who were presented with a High Achiever Award for receiving the highest overall score in their Graduate Certificate.
Tamara Rose Murfet – Acute Care Nursing
Georgina Brick – Aged Care Nursing
Blair Kayla Duggan MACN –Breast Cancer Nursing
Georgie Louise McKenzie –Cancer Nursing
Maiken Clare Sedunary MACN –Child and Family Health Nursing
Ryley Tink – Community and Primary Health Care Nursing
Jessica Ann Daniel – Cosmetic Nursing
Ian Joshua Kersey Bone –Critical Care Nursing
Itzel Chavez MACN –Dermatology Nursing
Siobhan O’Doherty –Drug and Alcohol Nursing
Hannah Jayne Skidmore MACN –Leadership and Management
Geraldine Beronio – Orthopaedic Nursing
Nikaela Brooke Coulson MACN –Paediatric Nursing Studies
Amy Whelan – Palliative Care
Samantha McCrea – Perioperative Nursing
Charlotte Baynes-Murray –Stomal Therapy Nursing
As ACN welcomed back nurses from across Australia to develop their skills, enhance their knowledge and remain upto-date with best practices in nursing in Term 2, we celebrated with a competition to see where all our students were studying. Thank you to everyone for sending in such great photos.
The winning entry was Charlotte Henry, receiving a $100 JB Hi-Fi gift voucher to help buy materials to support online learning.
Charlotte Henry – “On the Farm!! Straight into the study after returning home from my shift as McGrath Breast Care Nurse at our small rural hospital. I regularly study overlooking our lush garden, watching the kids play on the farm. Lucky Me!!!”
Amanda White MACN – “During a Quiet (shh, I know I’m not supposed to mention the Q word) night duty shift I managed to have a look at the first few assignments that were due and catch up on some of the reading.”
Ashlee Titterton – “School holidays means studying while caring for my children. Keeping them close and cosy in bed while I study my last unit for my Post Grad Certificate in Perioperative Nursing. Stress response and health breakdown.”
The ACN Foundation is dedicated to helping nurses be the best they can be by providing access to scholarships, grants and awards. We are proud to provide a range of nursing scholarships kindly supported by philanthropic individuals, businesses and the ACN Foundation. The ACN Foundation also provides grants and awards to support nurses in completing continuing professional development, postgraduate study, and research.
The College Consortium Fund
The research grant is available to registered nurses and midwives to conduct a research project that aims to improve access, equity, quality and outcomes in health care. Applications from research collectives and multidisciplinary groups are encouraged. The principal Investigator and at least one co-investigator must each have been a Fellow or Member of ACN and have been one for at least the past three years.
This scholarship that is open to ACN members who are registered nurses wishing to undertake postgraduate studies in perioperative nursing. Awarded annually for enrolment in ACN’s Graduate Certificate in Perioperative Nursing. Must be an ACN Fellow or Member and has been for at least the past three years or more.
This scholarship is for postgraduate research studies in nursing at an Australian university. Must be an ACN Fellow or Member and has been for at least the past three years or more.
This scholarship is for Doctoral or postdoctoral nursing studies at an Australian higher education institution. The applicant must be an ACN Fellow or Member and has been for at least the past three years or more.
Up to $30,000
$8,750
$10,000
$10,000
New South Wales Nurses Research Grant
Postgraduate studies in clinical nursing at an Australian university, and only for nurses practicing in NSW. Must be an ACN Fellow or Member and has been for at least the past three years or more.
$10,000
Sister Margaret Y Winning Nursing Scholarship
Bequest Fund for Research
Postgraduate nursing studies at Queensland University of Technology only. Must be an ACN Fellow or Member and has been for at least the past three years or more.
Postgraduate research studies in nursing at an Australian university and only for nurses practicing in Victoria. Must be an ACN Fellow or Member and has been for at least the past three years or more.
$10,000
Myrtle Ivy Quicke Memorial Grant
ACN Research Grant
Doctoral or postdoctoral studies in nursing at an Australian university. Must be an ACN Fellow or Member and has been for at least the past three years or more.
Doctoral or postdoctoral or research studies at an Australian university, hospital or health care facility affiliated with a university. Must be an ACN Fellow or Member and has been for at least the past three years or more.
$10,000
$10,000
$10,000
Joyce Wickham Memorial Grant
Centaur Nurses Memorial Education Trust
ACN Scholarship Grant
Doctoral studies in nursing at an Australian University. Must be an ACN Fellow or Member and has been for at least the past three years or more.
Postgraduate research studies in nursing at an Australian University and only for registered nurses practicing in Victoria. Must be an ACN Fellow or Member and has been for at least the past three years or more.
Postgraduate or honours nursing studies at an Australian higher education institution. Must be an ACN Fellow or Member and has been for at least the past three years or more.
$5,000
$5,000
Patricia Slater Award
This award is given out each year to a registered nurse who is a member of ACN and within the first three years of graduating from an undergraduate nursing course. The prize is registration, travel and accommodation to attend the ACN National Nurses Forum.
$5,000
Cost variable
Laura Saunderson Fund
Funding for continuing education for nurses working in aged care within Western Australia – this is open to non-members also.
$4,000 in total
Name Detail/eligibility criteria
Eric Murray Quiet Achiever Award
An award for ACN students. The recipient will receive a cash award of $1,500 to assist with continuing professional development or community work that is judged beneficial to the nursing profession and public. Must be enrolled in an eligible ACN Graduate Certificate course.
$1,500
Ivanka Sucher Humanitarian Scholarship
ACNF Study Tour Scholarship
Bupa – Rural Nurse Scholarship
Awarded to a registered Nurse who has entered Australia as a refugee or immigrant and is undertaking postgraduate study in nursing. Available to members and non-members.
Awarded to fellows and members of ACN who have been members for at least past three years or more to attend a Jon Baines Nursing Study Tour.
Six scholarships for rural registered nurses who are Mid-Career Nurse Leaders to complete a six-month ACN Mid-Career Nurse Leadership Program. In recognition of Sister Nancy Harris and Sister Mary Eleanor McGlade.
$4,000
4 x $5,000
6 x $8500
Its Time Nurses Scholarship Fund
Offered to support continuing professional education in the areas of clinical practice, nurse education, research, leadership and management to assist nurses and midwives to work to expand their scope of practice. Up to a maximum of $1,500 each.
$15,000 was available
Esther Sarah Jean (Stewie) Stewart Scholarship – sponsored by SERCO
Matron Irene (Melville) Drummond Scholarship – sponsored by SERCO
Marjorie Schuman Rural Nurse Scholarship –donated by David and Jennie Sutherland Foundation
Offered to support a rural or remote mental health nurse studying postgraduate study. $2,500
Offered to support a mental health and/or Military nurse studying postgraduate study. $2,500
The person must have full registration to complete the Mid-Career Nurse Leadership Program in 2023, available to a registered nurse currently employed in a rural and remote area of Australia.
$5,000
Annie M Shepherd in the Community Scholarship
– sponsored by Regal Health
Graduate Certificate Nursing Scholarship –sponsored by Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies
Graduate Certificate Scholarship for First Nations Nurses –sponsored by HESTA
Nursing Unit Manager Leadership Program Scholarship
Mid-Career Nurse Leadership Scholarship
Nurse Executive Leadership Scholarship
Full registration to complete the Mid-Career Nurse Leadership Program in 2023, available to a registered community nurse currently employed in a community setting.
There are 20 scholarships awarded to undertake one of ACN’s eligible Graduate Certificate courses. Five scholarships are available to First Nations nurses, five are available to nurses working in rural and remote areas of Australia, and 10 scholarships are available for all candidates in the specified fields of study.
$5,000
Two scholarships are available for First Nations nurses to complete an ACN Graduate Certificate course of their choice.
20 x $15,000 each
Twenty three scholarships for the Inaugural Nursing Unit Manager Leadership Program (NUMLP). Each scholarship is valued at $5,500.
2 x $10,500 each
There are four scholarships for Mid-Career Nurse Leaders to complete a six-month Mid-Career Nurse Leadership Program (MCNLP).
These are scholarships for Nurses in leadership roles to complete a six-month Nurse Executive Leadership Program (NELP).
23 x $5,500 each
4 x $10,000 each
The National Nursing Forum (NNF) returned in full swing in 2022. ACN was thrilled to welcome nurses to its NNF held in Darwin 17-19 August. This was the first in-person NNF since the beginning of the pandemic, and it was wonderful to welcome more than 700 delegates (in person and virtually) from across Australia and the world.
Over three days, nurses heard from keynote speakers, engaged with a variety of presentations and connected with colleagues under the theme ‘Nursing Leadership Unmasked’.
Beginning with a Welcome to Country, Edwin Fejo, a proud Larrakia person, the traditional custodians of the Darwin region led delegates through a moving ceremony. Then Master of Ceremonies, Karen Cook FACN took to the stage for the three days of the NNF.
ACN President Emeritus Professor Christine Duffield FACN welcomed all delegates to the NNF. Celebrating 10 years of ACN, Professor Duffield reflected on the many achievements and milestones during this time.
Day One ended with the Oration and Investiture with the 2022 Oration speech, Leadership, change in the Age of Aquarius delivered by Professor Sandy Middleton FACN.
Day Two kicked off with a morning of political heavyweights with a Ministerial Address from Australian Greens leader and Federal Member for Melbourne, Adam Bandt MP, followed by keynote speakers Group Captain Kath Stein MACN, Director of Defence Force Nursing, and Commonwealth Chief Nurse and Midwifery Officer Adjunct (Practice) Professor Alison McMillan MACN.
We ended our last day at NNF by hearing the insightful anecdotes from Adjunct Professor (Practice) Alison McMillan MACN, Amanda Cattermole and Mish Hill FACN. In addition, the Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care Anne Ruston MP and Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care the Hon Mark Butler addressed the delegates and reasserted their commitment to improving the healthcare sector and addressing nursing workforce issues.
In the final session of the NNF, ACN CEO Adjunct Professor Kylie Ward FACN wrapped up the day saying goodbye to another successful Forum and announced that the 2023 NNF will be held in Adelaide.
The NNF was a chance for nurses to share their research and expertise from their local areas with their peers. There were four sessions divided into: cultural change; innovation; quality and safety; and workforce sustainability, with 70 projects presented.
It was also a time to connect and share experiences. A great example of this was the Speed Leaders session on Day One. This allowed delegates to develop networking skills, get career advice and hear from experienced nurses.
The Forum recognises nurses who had gone above and beyond and 2022 was no exception. Nurses were acknowledged through the ACN Foundation Awards. Investiture of ACN Fellows and the 2022 Health Minister’s Award for Nursing Trailblazers.
The Investiture of New Fellows awarded Dr Glenn Gardner FACN the Distinguished Life Fellow for her outstanding achievements and ongoing contributions to ACN and the profession and 23 new Fellows were inducted across the 2021-22 period in recognition of significant professional achievement.
Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care Ged Kearney MP made an appearance via video to announce Claire Lane MACN as the winner of the 2022 Health Minister’s Award for Nursing Trailblazers. Claire was recognised for her work with Save our Supplies which repurposes expired medical supplies.
The NNF is not all work. It is also a chance to recharge and destress.
In recognition of our Fellows, Region and State Chairs and Platinum Affiliates’ outstanding contribution to ACN and the
profession, Emeritus Professor Christine Duffield FACN hosted a President’s Welcome at the Darwin Botanic Gardens. It was a beautiful setting to unwind and share experiences and a special performance by Christine Anu ended the evening on a high!
A packed agenda on Day Two was followed by a full night with pre-dinner drinks and the Gala Dinner. During and after dinner, everyone was able to get on the dance floor and let their hair down.
In the final session delegates were also entertained by Georgie Carroll, comedian, author and Registered Nurse.
Thank you to everyone who attended and participated in the 2022 NNF and to all ACN staff who worked to make it such a success. We look forward to welcoming everyone to Adelaide in 2023.
ACN hosted the Nursing and Health Expo in Melbourne on Saturday 1 April. This was the first face-to-face Expo since the pandemic. The event saw attendees come together to explore career and education pathways for the nursing and health professions.
Sponsored by HESTA, the annual Expo provides a space for prospective and current nursing students to meet with delegates from organisations such as hospitals, health care services, educational institutions and specialty nursing groups.
Key leaders within the nursing profession including ACN CEO Adjunct Professor Kylie Ward FACN, spoke on a broad range of topics from tips for writing your CV to job interview skills to immunisation for health practitioners.
The Nursing and Health Expo was run alongside the Virtual Open Day with the presentations being live-streamed.
ACN thanks all those who attended and the organisations who hosted a booth.
On 15 March 2023, The Australian War Memorial held a Last Post Ceremony to commemorate the life of Australian Army Nursing Service nurse Sister Nancy Harris.
ACN attended the service with ACN CEO Adjunct Professor Kylie Ward FACN laying a wreath to pay tribute to Sister Harris on behalf of the nursing profession.
Sister Harris was born in Armidale, NSW, on 15 January 1913. She trained as a nurse at the Royal North Shore Hospital and later worked at The Coast Hospital. She enlisted in the Australian Army Nursing Service on 21 August 1941 and was deployed with the 2/13th Australian General Hospital.
Sister Harris was evacuated from Singapore on the SS Vyner Brooke due to the advancement of enemy forces. On 16 February 1942, Sister Harris was one of 21 Australian Army Service Nurses and one civilian woman who were massacred by enemy soldiers.
Sister Harris was 29 when she died.
Adjunct Professor Kylie Ward FACN and our ACN community attended the 2023 Anzac Day Dawn Service and March at the Australian War Memorial on behalf of the nursing profession. After receiving an invitation from Group Captain Kath Stein MACN, ACN Staff and Members travelled to Canberra to march with our military nurses. ACN has strong ties with our military colleagues, including through the ACN Military Nursing Faculty, and it was a great privilege to walk side by side on such an important day.
Adjunct Professor Ward said that Anzac Day is a reminder that nurses have long served and died for Australia in war.
“We have many fallen colleagues who embodied the Anzac spirit, and I am passionate that their legacy be remembered,” said Adjunct Professor Ward.
This year marks a significant milestone with the first sculpture to commemorate the service of an individual nurse to be installed on the ground of the Australian War Memorial. Lieutenant Colonel Vivian Bullwinkel AO, MBE, ARRC, ED, FNM, FRCNA was the only survivor of the Bangka Island massacre in World War II. Her sculpture will be joined by nursing scholarships to recognise the 21 nurses who died in the massacre.
Participants at the Anzac Day March
On Sunday 14 May 2023, nurses and military personnel across Australia came together to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the sinking of the Australian Hospital Ship (AHS) Centaur in World War II.
The hospital ship, carrying 332 civilians, injured personnel and hospital staff, was travelling off the coast of Brisbane when it was torpedoed by enemy forces and sunk. In total 268 people died in the sinking of the AHS Centaur, including 11 nurses. Only one nurse, Sister Ellen Savage GM, survived.
The reaction to the bombing was outrage – particularly at the bombing of a hospital ship. The Australian Government also used the sinking of the hospital ship to stimulate recruitment, with propaganda pieces of the attack and the words ‘WORK. SAVE. FIGHT. AVENGE THE NURSES!’ donned across the country.
In 1948, nurses in Queensland established the Centaur Memorial Fund for Nurses to provide awards and scholarships for future generations of nurses. The Fund is still running today.
This International Nurses Day (IND), ACN thanked the community for always acknowledging the role nurses play in ensuring better health outcomes for future generations.
‘Our Nurses. Our Future’ was the inspiring theme for IND, which asks nurses to think about the future of our profession and how we, as nurses, provide a better future through improved health outcomes.
ACN thanked the nurses of Australia for their unwavering commitment to care and encouraged them to take a moment to reflect on being part of the most noble, trusted and
respected profession in this country.
In recognition of their hard work, ACN hosted the National Nurses Breakfast with 750 registered breakfasts held across the country. This was a wonderful opportunity for nurses to come together to support one another and celebrate their achievements.
Celebrations
In May 2023 ACN CEO Adjunct Professor
Kylie Ward FACN, ACN President Emeritus Professor Christine Duffield FACN, Wing Commander (Ret’d) Sharon Bown FACN, and Group Captain Kathryn Stein MACN joined a tour of Bangka Island to acknowledge and honour the 21 Australian nurses who lost their lives in the Bangka Island massacre in 1942 and the lone survivor Lieutenant Colonel Vivian Bullwinkel, AO, MBE, ARRC, ED, FNM, FRCNA.
The tour began in Muntok with a visit to Muntok Lighthouse. The lighthouse, built by the Dutch in 1862, had been a beacon for many of the nurses in the sea after the sinking of the SS Vyner Brooke. A Nurses Memorial at Muntok Lighthouse was dedicated in March 1993 in the presence of Vivian Bullwinkel. It was here, in the last light of day, that a brief commemorative service was held, and wreaths laid in honour of the fallen.
The following day, before the sun had started to lighten the sky, took the group to Radji Beach which can only be accessed by 4WD. One can only imagine having to walk through heavy jungle, without shoes, foraging for food and fresh water, building
protective shelter, wounded and hiding from the enemy, all while treating an injured soldier as Vivian Bullwinkel did. There is a small memorial on the headland that overlooks the beach. As the sun rose a simple but moving remembrance ceremony was conducted facing the ocean – the names of each of the 21 nurses were remembered and flowers were scattered as a tribute.
At the 75th anniversary of the massacre, a group of Australian Army nurses began a new tradition for the families and local community – the Walk of Humanity, an act of positive defiance. It is comforting to think of the words of Matron Irene Drummond at that moment, “Chin up, girls. I’m proud of you all and I love you all.”
After a brief morning tea, the tour went to Peace Park and visited Muntok Men’s Gaol which still operates today. During World War II this is where civilian men were interred and where many died, including Private Patrick Kinsey, whom Vivian Bullwinkel had nursed. Next door, the group stood on the site of ‘White Coolies’ the location of the women’s POW camp. The foundations are still visible, so it was possible to stand inside the
women’s accommodation knowing where the walls had been, and see the small, cramped spaces.
Wednesday included a visit to the Muntok Peace Museum which was built by the Malayan Volunteer Group and is close to the former women’s camp. While small, the museum has a very interesting collection including many articles to commemorate the Australian nurses, and observes a service each February to remember the civilian internees who suffered so much.
A tour of Bangka Island would not be complete without a visit to the Tin Museum and Vivian Bullwinkel Gallery. The gallery tells the story of the sinking of the SS Vyner Brooke, the subsequent massacre listing the names of all those known to have died on Radji Beach, and the story of Vivian Bullwinkel’s remarkable survival.
After departing Bangka Island, the group was able to pay their respects to the nurses who had died in captivity and who had subsequently been interred in the Commonwealth War Cemetery in Jakarta. It was an emotional visit but one that honoured those nurses who gave so much. Lest we forget.
ACN’s National Nursing Roadshow returned in 2022 with ACN CEO Adjunct Professor Kylie Ward FACN leading a panel of experts across Australia to discuss Nursing Workforce Sustainability and Wellness.
Visiting Brisbane, Cairns, Melbourne, Burnie, Hobart, Canberra, and Sydney, it was a privilege to discuss current strategies, innovations and solutions for workforce sustainability as well as to connect with fellow nurses.
From left to right panelists Adjunct Professor Alanna Geary FACN, Belynda Abbott FACN, Cris O’Donnell FACN, Adjunct Professor Kylie WARD FACN, Adjunct Professor Shelley Nowlan FACN and Zain Wadee
In February 2023 ACN CEO Adjunct Professor Kylie Ward FACN met with artist Dr Charles Robb in Brisbane to view the progress of the sculpture of Lieutenant Colonel Vivian Bullwinkel AO, MBE, ARRC, ED, FNM, FRCNA, the only nurse to survive the Bangka Island massacre during World War II.
Walking down metal stairs into the lower part of the workshop, revealed a first look at the Vivian Bullwinkel sculpture that will grace the Australian War Memorial grounds later this year. It was an indescribable feeling. Vivian stood there larger than life, proud and stoic. You couldn’t help but feel like you were part of something bigger, something grand and life-changing.
The sculpture being crafted will be a life-size portrait of Vivian Bullwinkel in a standing pose in a working summer uniform. Vivian will be placed to one side of her bronze pedestal, revealing a rippling surface in which twenty-one inlaid silver
discs reflect the victims of the Banka Island massacre and the main constellations of the night sky as it would have appeared on 16 February 1942.
Charles completed the sculpture in May and it was then sent to the Billman Foundry to be cast in bronze in Castlemaine Victoria, in June 2023, ready for it to be securely placed in the gardens of the Australian War Memorial to be unveiled at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra on 2 August 2023. The process has also been filmed with the donation in kind of videography from Aspen Medical Foundation.
The ACN Foundation would like to thank everyone involved in The Bullwinkel Project, including Dr Charles Robb, the Lt Col. Vivian Bullwinkel Commemorative Sculpture Advisory Committee, the Australian War Memorial, Billman Foundry, Founding sponsors - and most importantly, our donors.
During the first half of 2023, the ACN Foundation also told the stories of each of the 21 nurses who died at Bangka Island. These stories were shared each week through social media, leading up to the unveiling of Vivian and the announcement of the scholarships in their names. Thanks to Rupert Porter for bringing these nurses to life through your art.
ACN’s Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) was finalised and uploaded to the Reconciliation Australia site in early 2023. ACN’s RAP working group has been working exceptionally hard to implement the plan since January 2022. The RAP artwork (pictured) was created by artist Kristie Peters of Yarrudhamarra Creations. Each element of the artwork is imbued with meaning specific to ACN’s reconciliation journey.
“Reflect” is the first of four accredited stages of a RAP. It lays the foundations for all reconciliation work to come.
Some of the work connected to the RAP that we are proud of includes:
• Encouragement of all staff to research the First Nations history of the lands on which they live and to share this knowledge in all-staff meetings as part of the Acknowledgement of Country. This has had considerable take-up across all teams at ACN.
• Contribution to the submission to the Senate on the application of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
• Gap analysis on all staff Cultural Safety training needs and budget commitment to ongoing Cultural Safety learning.
• Worked with Youth Mill in Larrakeyah, Northern Territory for the National Nursing Forum.
• Attendance at the Fred Hollows Sydney Peace Prize award for the Uluru Statement from the Heart, and
referendum.
• Conducted comprehensive policy review to ensure anti-discrimination provisions.
• Engagement with National barometer survey.
• Attendance at screening of Take Heart, Deadly Heart film helped by Close the Gap campaign for NAIDOC.
the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 to advertise and designate up to:
- Five scholarships per year for First Nations persons only; and
- Two positions per year for First Nations persons only, including the role of First Nations Officer.
At ACN we are committed to playing our role in eliminating all forms of modern slavery, particularly within in our own operations and supply chains.
Modern slavery is a term used to cover practices such as an exploitation of individuals or the deprivation of an individual’s freedom through the use of coercion, threats or deception, forced labour, debt bondage, forced marriage and human trafficking, slavery practices, and child labour or hazardous work involving children. Modern slavery is a human rights violation and an exploitative crime with devastating consequences for the health and wellbeing of its victims.
For every one victim of human trafficking and modern slavery in Australia, another four go undetected. Nurses are on the front
line and can potentially help identify and protect vulnerable people who are being exploited and harmed.
In June 2021, ACN registered with the Department of Home Affairs to voluntarily opt in to comply with the Modern Slavery Ace 2018 (Cth) (’TheACT’). ACN has a suite of policies and procedures that aim to mitigate the risk of modern slavery and human rights violations. ACN has a Modern Slavery Working Group which continues to be active in assessing the risk of modern slavery within ACN.
ACN will continue to demonstrate leadership for the wider nursing profession and provide opportunities for the wider health care sector to learn from its experiences.
EDITORS
Dr Jane Roy
Kirsty Waterford
Adjunct Professor Ward FACN
Karoline Dawe
DESIGN
Emma Butz
Nina Vesala
PUBLISHER
Australian College of Nursing
1 Napier Close, Deakin ACT, 2600
02 6283 3400
acn@acn.edu.au
www.acn.edu.au
ABN: 48 154 924 642
PRINTING
Elect Printing, Canberra
© Australian College of Nursing 2023
