The peak global body for nursing organisations has renewed the definitions of ‘nurse’ and ‘nursing’, for the first time in 23 years, marking a shift away from a professional identity based on tasks to one conceived as a sophisticated profession requiring scientific knowledge, ethical standards, and therapeutic relationships. The new definitions were unanimously approved at…
The Australian College of Nursing (ACN) is urging Diploma of Nursing students to take up the Commonwealth Prac Payment, which has just opened for applications. The new payment of $331.65 per week during clinical placements is a vital move in addressing the financial barriers that have prevented many students from completing their nursing qualifications and…
The Australian College of Nursing (ACN) says the latest report from the New South Wales Bureau of Health Information (BHI) confirms the urgent need for widespread health sector reform. The BHI’s January-March report clearly illustrates the pressures that nurses and their colleagues are under, with near-record demand for ED care and ballooning elective surgery lists.…
The nursing profession has been exceptionally well represented in the King’s Birthday 2025 Honours List, with several distinguished practitioners recognised for their outstanding contributions to healthcare, research, and professional development across Australia. Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) Professor Kate Curtis of NSW has been awarded the Officer of the Order of Australia for…
Incontinence is a prevalent yet often overlooked health condition in the Australian population. There is a social stigma around incontinence, and people may be reluctant to seek help due to embarrassment or because they do not recognise it as a medical problem, considering it as a normal part of childbirth or ageing (Rantell, 2023). There…
The Australian College of Nursing (ACN) says new regulatory guidelines on non-surgical cosmetic procedures are a critical step in reinforcing public safety and provide long overdue clarity to nurses and other health practitioners working in this field. The standards must be enforced adequately to deliver a new era of professionalism in the cosmetics sector, to…
In today’s rapidly evolving healthcare environment, it is essential for nurses to continually enhance their skills and knowledge. Traditional methods of education, such as full degree programs and certifications, remain vital. However, there is an increasing demand for more flexible and targeted learning opportunities. This need has given rise to microcredentials, which are becoming an…
At the History Conference preceding the National Nursing Forum 2024, I had the pleasure of presenting on a topic that merges historical artefacts with modern nursing education: Object-Based Learning and Health Humanities in Nursing Education. As part of a panel discussion, I explored how objects found in clinical settings, often overlooked, play a profound role…
ACN welcomes the reappointments of Mark Butler to the Cabinet as Minister for Health and Ageing, and Disability and the NDIS; and Jason Clare as the Minister for Education. ACN also extends its congratulations to Sam Rae as the Minister for Aged Care and Seniors; Rebecca White as the Assistant Minister for Health and Aged…
Every year on 12 May, International Nurses Day is celebrated around the world to mark the birth of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. What began as a tribute to her legacy has become a global moment to acknowledge the vital role nurses play in our health systems and communities. Over the decades, our…