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 professionals.
We want to hear directly from our affiliates about why they enjoy being part of our affiliate community. Join us as we delve into their stories and discover what makes affiliate membership with ACN so rewarding.
Our Affiliate Spotlight this month highlights La Trobe University.
La Trobe University’s Rural Health School (LRHS) and School of Nursing and Midwifery (SNM) are leaders in preparing the next generation of nurses and the further education of current RNs through innovative, evidence-based education that reflects the diverse needs of both rural and metropolitan communities.
La Trobe’s programs emphasise leadership, sound clinical assessment and reasoning, patient-centred, best practice nursing care, interprofessional collaboration and the integration of digital health technologies, ensuring graduates are adaptable and practice-ready across all settings.
La Trobe University proudly marked 50 years of nursing education in 2024, celebrating its legacy as one of Australia’s pioneering institutions in nursing and midwifery.
Since introducing the nation’s first nursing pre-registration diploma program in 1974, La Trobe has transformed the landscape of healthcare education, evolving from hospital-based training to a comprehensive university model that integrates research, technology, and clinical practice. We have been at the forefront of tertiary nursing education in Australia and witnessed the evolution of the Australian College of Nurses rising from unification of the Royal College of Nursing Australia and The College of Nursing, Australia. Over five decades, La Trobe has launched numerous innovative undergraduate and post graduate programs.
The University has recently invested $86 million in cutting-edge clinical simulation facilities, ensuring graduates are equipped for the complexities of modern healthcare. Celebrations were held across campuses to honour our remarkable journey, highlighting La Trobe’s commitment to equity, excellence, and impact.
Today, La Trobe’s nursing programs rank among the world’s best, continuing to prepare nurses who serve metropolitan, regional, rural, and remote communities.
The School of Nursing and Midwifery offers a comprehensive suite of postgraduate pathways, including Master of Nursing, Master of Nurse Practitioner, and PhD and Doctoral programmes, enabling nurses to advance their clinical expertise, leadership capacity, and research skills.
Specialised programs for regional and rural nursing
Equally, the La Trobe Rural Health School plays a critical role in servicing regional, rural, and remote communities through specialised postgraduate programs such as the Graduate Certificate of Rural and Remote Nursing Practice and Graduate Diploma of Rural and Remote Nursing Practice, which equip nurses with advanced skills to deliver safe, culturally responsive care in commonly resource-limited settings. The Graduate Diploma provides a pathway to the Master of Nurse Practitioner. The LRHS also delivers a suite of micro credential subjects and a Professional Certificate that will advance or refresh nursing assessment skills across the lifespan, while providing in-demand skills to design, implement and use digital health applications to improve patient-centred care.
These programmes align closely with La Trobe University’s mission to advance knowledge and transform lives through equity, excellence, and impact, and its values of inclusivity, sustainability, and social responsibility. By fostering culturally safe care, supporting lifelong learning, and embedding research-informed practice, these schools not only educate competent nurses but also empower them to become advocates for health equity and leaders in improving outcomes for diverse populations.
Looking ahead, La Trobe is excited to collaborate with ACN in 2026 to help shape health policy and advance nursing practice across Australia.
La Trobe is proud to be a Gold Affiliate of ACN, with strong representation in leadership roles—Professor Jane Mills as Chair of the Rural and Remote Faculty and Associate Professor Melissa Deacon-Crouch as Chair of the Goulburn and Murray Region.
Written by
Associate Professor Melissa Deacon-Crouch RN, RM, PhD, Grad Dip Mid, Grad Dip Education, BN, BSc(Hons) MACN
La Trobe University
