Celebrating champions of change

For hundreds of years, nurses and midwives have tirelessly worked to improve the health and well-being of others. To celebrate their invaluable contribution to global health care, the World Health Organization has declared 2020 as the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife.

It’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity, not just for nations to show nurses and midwives that they are fundamental to achieving universal health care and sustainable development goals, but for 20 million nurses around the world to showcase how much they do, and how much more they can achieve with more support.

Throughout 2020, the Australian College of Nursing will honour the past champions who changed the course of nursing history; celebrate present-day visionaries whose outstanding expertise is currently transforming the Australian health care system; and nurture those who will shape our profession’s future.

We invite you to take inspiration from these extraordinary stories to help channel your inner champion! Together, we can celebrate a historic year for nursing.

If all nurses are leaders…

"Nurses would be the biggest leadership group in Australia." - Kristie

"Better care, better career pathways and better patient outcomes." - Anonymous

Acknowledging past champions

Honouring past nurse leaders who challenged the status quo, pioneered positive change and laid the foundations for nursing today. These champions have paved the way for all nurse leaders.

FIND OUT MORE

Being change champions

Recognising high-achieving nurse leaders for their extraordinary contribution and trailblazing innovation in health care. These champions are transforming Australia’s health and aged care systems every day.

FIND OUT MORE

Identifying future champions

Encouraging nurses to realise their leadership potential by providing them with opportunities and tools to empower themselves. These champions will redefine the future of health care and nursing.

FIND OUT MORE

Empowering inner champions

Supporting nurses to expand their knowledge and skills and boost their well-being and self-belief. These champions apply their learnings to be the best nurse leaders they can be.

FIND OUT MORE

Spread the word

Download our media kit full of resources to help you promote and celebrate 2020 Year of the Nurse & Midwife.

DOWNLOAD MEDIA KIT

Give a nurse a shout-out

To publicly recognise the special nurses and midwives in your life, we are creating a virtual inspiration wall in 2020. Give a shout-out to someone who inspired you to become a nurse and/or someone who continues to inspire your nursing journey.

VIEW INSPIRATION WALL

TELL US WHO INSPIRES YOU

DONATE TO THE HONOUR A NURSE CAMPAIGN

Want to do more?

ACN is excited to provide a wide range of opportunities that you can engage with throughout 2020. Make 2020 the year you connect with your profession and progress your career. Check out our celebration menu and get started.

VIEW MENU

International Nurses Day

International Nurses Day is celebrated on 12 May every year to recognise the invaluable contribution nurses make to the health of our society. This International Nurses Day is particularly significant because it is taking place in the official Year of the Nurse & Midwife. Find out how you can get involved.

FIND OUT MORE

2020 merchandise

Drink bottle

$20.00 (available in pink and white)

BUY NOW

Coffee cup

$15.00 (available in black and silver)

BUY NOW

T-Shirt

$20.00 (available in sizes XXS–XXL)

BUY NOW

Nursing Now

Nursing Now is a three-year global awareness campaign, initiated by the World Health Organization and the International Council of Nurses, which aims to raise the status and profile of nursing around the world. ACN is honoured to be the lead organisation for the Nursing Now Australia campaign in partnership with the major nursing organisations in Australia. Together we created the Nursing Now Australia Challenge to support the goals of the global Nursing Now initiative. Each month, from May 2019 to May 2020, nurses were encouraged to engage in activities to further the profession for a chance to win a prize.

To enhance the development of nursing leadership around the globe Nursing Now called for nursing employers worldwide to participate in the Nightingale Challenge with the aim of having at least 20,000 young nurses and midwives, aged 35 or under, benefiting from leadership and development training in 2020. ACN is proud to support the challenge by offering scholarships and group registration discounts for ACN leadership programs.