Overview Vaping is an emerging and evolving public health issue. Currently, health experts, researchers, and authorities are working to ascertain the long-term health consequences of vaping. The full risks remain unknown. What is known is that the promoted idea that vaping is safer than smoking has led to the proliferation of non-therapeutic vapes which target…
Health Minister’s Award for Nursing Trailblazers 2025 Nominations are now open for the Health Minister’s Award for Nursing Trailblazers, which is coordinated by the Australian College of Nursing (ACN). Established in partnership with the Australian Government, the Health Minister’s Award for Nursing Trailblazers highlights the pivotal role nurses play in driving health care innovation. The…
The Australian College of Nursing (ACN) condemns racism of any kind. ACN wishes to reassure the community that nursing professionals are committed to upholding the highest standards of safety and care for patients, regardless of differences in political views. Nurses are among the most trusted of professional groups, and the idea of harming patients or…
The Australian College of Nursing (ACN) supports the Federal Government’s primary health care careers campaign as an exciting and important first step in revitalising the primary health care workforce, including recognising the vital role of nurses and midwives. “The campaign shows just how varied nursing roles in the primary health care sector can be —…
Australia’s healthcare system is under immense pressure, with workforce shortages, increasing patient demands, and a growing burden on existing resources. As the backbone of health care, nurses play a critical role in addressing these challenges. Their extensive education, expertise, and the trust they hold with patients position them uniquely to deliver timely, high-quality care across…
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a condition is classified as a rare disease if it affects fewer than 1 in 2,000 people in a given WHO region. A recent Lancet Global Health editorial (2024) highlights that there are over 7,000 rare diseases, collectively affecting approximately 300 million people worldwide. In Australia, an estimated…
Image: Left to right – Jennifer Harland MACN, Linda Wigginton and Amy Faden MACN At ACN, we value the insights and experiences of our Affiliate Members. Being an ACN Affiliate Member is more than just a relationship; it is about forming connections, supporting each other, and advancing the industry for our nurses, students, and healthcare…
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common yet potentially severe virus that affects the respiratory system. It poses a significant risk to infants, pregnant women, older adults, and those with chronic conditions, often leading to serious complications such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia. RSV infection can occur at any age, and repeated infections are common throughout…
Mentoring is a dynamic partnership between a less-experienced individual (referred to as the novice) and an experienced expert practitioner, founded on the exchange of experience and knowledge-based guidance (Keogh, 2015). Mentorship plays a pivotal role in personal and professional growth (Sarabipour et al., 2022), especially in fields like nursing where guidance and support are crucial…
The Australian College of Nursing (ACN) welcomes the Australian Government’s announcement of new streamlined processes for registration of overseas nurses, with nurses coming to work in Australia from comparable countries having their assessment and registration time cut by as much as 6-12 months. ACN CEO, Adjunct Professor Kathryn Zeitz FACN, said the changes will help…