The Australian College of Nursing (ACN) welcomes the New South Wales and Queensland governments’ introduction of an intranasal influenza vaccine (FluMist) for children aged two to under five years, which will address some but not all of the barriers to childhood immunisation. ACN CEO Adjunct Professor Kathryn Zeitz said subjecting a child to an injection…
As of the most recent figures, there have been 86 cases of invasive meningococcal disease in Australia so far this year, compared with 136 for all of last year, and 143 the year before (Department of Health, Disability and Ageing [DoHDA], 2025c). It is a highly dangerous disease: meningococcal infections were responsible for 249 deaths…
A new app-based tool has been launched to guide aged care providers on their staff education needs, ahead of the introduction of new aged care standards that will require organisations to regularly train staff to deliver quality dementia care. Dementia Australia has developed the new tool, ‘Tell TiNA’, as part of its ‘Ask Annie’ dementia…
The Australian College of Nursing (ACN) is concerned by the finding in the latest report of the Inspector-General of Aged Care that, despite significant positive reforms to improve care in the aged care system, registered nurses are feeling “exposed” without the support of enrolled nurses in aged care settings. ACN welcomes the Inspector General’s call…
The Australian College of Nursing (ACN) says the latest Healthcare Quarterly report from the New South Wales Bureau of Health Information (BHI) again underscores the urgent need for investment in preventive and primary health care to address increasing rates of chronic illness. The BHI’s April-June report shows the highest quarterly admitted patient episodes on record,…
The discussion paper discusses the critical importance of the first 2000 days of a child’s life in Australia, emphasising the need for integrated early childhood care, investment in maternal and child health services, and culturally responsive practices to improve long-term health and social outcomes. It highlights the critical role of nursing in supporting children’s health…
Planetary health is essential in nursing, emphasising the interconnectedness of human and environmental health through education and advocacy. It is defined as understanding the complex relationships between human activities and climate change. The focus of planetary health is on solutions that minimise human disruptions to Earth’s natural systems. By addressing these challenges, nurses can play…
Many traditional practices relating to wounds have been found not to be based on robust scientific evidence. Despite that, “old school” practices still occur in the clinical setting. Every nurse needs to be able to question and challenge wound care practices that are no longer supported by the latest evidence, but to do so, practitioners…
The Australian College of Nursing is marking Wound Awareness Week by calling on the Federal Government to consider how advancing nurse-led models of care could dramatically improve access to holistic wound care in Australia. Wound Awareness Week, led by Wounds Australia, is an opportunity to raise awareness of chronic wounds, which cost the economy billions…
Image artwork by Kristie Peters As the new Chair of First Nations Faculty at the Australian College of Nursing (ACN), I am passionate that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health is everybody’s business. This aligns with the Commonwealth Government Closing the Gap. As the Faculty Chair, it is important to have some Aboriginal and Torres…