Groundbreaking program builds First Nations leadership

Three of Townsville University Hospital’s First Nations nursing leaders have been given the opportunity to be a part of the inaugural Tjurtu First Nations Nursing and Midwifery Leadership Program.

Acting nurse unit manager public health unit Sara O’Connor, clinical nurse consultant (CNC) drug and alcohol brief intervention team Amanda Ah Chee, and CNC Indigenous health workforce professional unit Gillian Wilson were selected after an intensive statewide application process.

With a focus on First Nations knowledge, cultural leadership, nation-building, and mentorship, the Tjurtu leadership program was co-designed by First Nations nurses and midwives and embedded in a strong cultural framework.

Sara said the connection to her culture was a defining aspect of the course.

“It was incredibly important to me, because I’d looked at other leadership programs and felt there was something lacking,” she said.

“We live and work in a system not made for First Nations people and to have a program that frames questions through a First Nations lens, to answer those questions from our perspective is absolutely groundbreaking.”

This year’s NAIDOC Week theme is The Next Generation: Strength, Vision, and Legacy.

The theme was particularly poignant for Gillian who said the program had helped immensely with her knowledge and ability to provide leadership to young, First Nations students through the initial stages of their careers.

“It’s furthering my skills and knowledge which I can instil in nurses who follow in my footsteps,” she said.

“We can already identify the gaps in the system but we’re being shown how to push forward, break down the systemic barriers, and show there’s not just one pathway but different pathways we can take to achieve results.”

Amanda said her aspirations were to support more First Nations people to take up leadership positions.

“We’re always pushing up the next generation and I’m building up the strength to be able to support them to go into those spaces,” she said.

“Nurses in leadership positions support new nurses in their cultural development, as well as their social and mental wellbeing in the working environment.

“When you create that culturally safe environment for First Nations staff, it trickles down to the grassroots level and shows First Nations consumers that you’re able to relate to them and respect them on a cultural level making it easier to plan appropriate healthcare for them.”