Australia was declared measles-free in 2014 due to high immunisation rates. However, recent outbreaks across several states and territories throughout Australia have been linked to international travellers infecting unvaccinated or partially vaccinated infants (AIHW, 2018; Bahl et al., 2023). Childhood immunisation offers strong protection against measles. Still, rates have dropped below the targeted levels that…
In health care, effective leadership means more than overseeing daily operations—it’s about driving meaningful, lasting change. That’s exactly what the Australian College of Nursing Institute of Leadership’s Nurse Director Leadership Program (NDLP) is designed to do. This six-month program supports experienced registered nurses to develop the leadership capabilities needed to build high-performing teams and foster…
This unit of study examines the role of therapeutic apheresis as a current and emerging therapy. It provides students with specialist knowledge of pre-procedural considerations of the role of therapeutic apheresis for individuals with renal, immune, haematological, and neurological disorders before more explicitly exploring the clinical issues within the specialty of apheresis nursing in Australia.
Endometriosis represents a significant challenge in women’s health care, demanding increased attention from clinicians, researchers, and policymakers. As awareness grows about its widespread impact and the complexities surrounding its diagnosis and treatment, various initiatives have emerged in Australia to address these challenges. Background of endometriosis Endometriosis is the most common benign gynaecological condition worldwide and…
Achieving a Socialised Model of Health Care in Australia with Nurse Leadership The Australian College of Nursing (ACN) is calling for a fundamental rethink of Australia’s approach to health care in the next term of government, with the current system persistently failing to address key factors that affect health and wellbeing, like poor nutrition, housing…
On 20 May each year, we celebrate the pioneering work of Dr James Lind, who in 1747 led one of the first documented clinical trials. His research into treatments for scurvy ultimately led to the discovery of the the preventative role of Vitamin C in this condition. Fast forward 250+ years, and in all our…
Overview The healthcare industry is ever evolving to meet the increasing population growth, ageing population, increase in chronic disease rates, and mental health conditions. The Australian healthcare system is currently dominated by a biomedical model, focusing on diagnosing and treating rather than preventing disease. This model overlooks socioeconomic factors which often contribute to health issues.…
Australia is renowned as the ‘sunburnt country’, but this title comes with a dark side: we have the highest melanoma rates in the world. Sadly, melanoma claims the lives of approximately 1,400 Australians every year (Melanoma Institute Australia [MIA], 2022). What makes this even more tragic is that melanoma and other skin cancers are among…
What is nursing informatics? Imagine a world where technology works for you, making nursing care delivery more efficient, patient care safer, and your role more impactful. That’s where nursing informatics comes in—a rapidly growing field that is shaping the future of health care in Australia. Nursing informatics blends nursing, computer science, and data analysis to…
An evaluation report of Medicare Urgent Care Clinics (UCCs) provides promising evidence that the clinics achieve their desired objective of providing care for illnesses and injuries that are urgent, but not life-threatening, and reduce expensive visits to hospital emergency departments. ACN CEO, Adjunct Professor Kathryn Zeitz FACN, said the evaluation report, by the Department of…