Featured Image: Volunteer nurses at the 2023 Australian College of Nursing (ACN) Policy Summit sharing their insights to develop policy. Source: Grace Costa
Whether you are the first stages of your university degree or have banked decades of experience in the nursing profession, there is always an opportunity to contribute to the betterment of the profession. From the nurse in a capital CBD to the nurse in the remote wilderness of Western Australia, our profession is leading the charge for all Australians to receive high-quality health care.
As an organisation passionate about ensuring all nurses have the opportunity to develop their skills, the Australian College of Nursing (ACN) provides our community with several ways to use their free time to connect with their community and advance their career portfolio.
This National Volunteer Week, we recognise those who volunteer their time for ACN. Volunteers are involved in every aspect of our organisation, and we could not exist without your support. In exchange for your time, ACN is proud to give back through continuing professional development (CPD) hours, resume references, networking and opportunities to further your career.
Want to build your portfolio? Here are the many ways you can advance nursing and your own career by volunteering for ACN.
Provide feedback in course advisory meetings
As our courses are created by-nurses, for-nurses, the best way to ensure we are including a broad range of resources and the most up-to-date practices is to consult widely with nurses! Feedback from the healthcare profession is crucial to enable our students to learn the most up-to-date best practice that meets the needs of the nurses working in various specialties.
Our course advisory meetings are an exclusive opportunity to have your say in shaping the future of nursing education. Meetings are open to consultations from ACN alumni, field experts, academics and health consumers.
Write for ACN’s publications
ACN Members have exclusive opportunities to share their insights and experiences with the ACN Tribe and wider community through ACN’s publications. Whether it be writing about professional experiences for the quarterly Members-only publication The Hive, contributing to the digital blog NurseClick, starring in ACN’s flagship podcast, or getting their face on the pages of Year in Review, there are many ways to contribute to informing and inspiring the profession.
Got an idea or experience to share? Contact our publications team!
Become an ACN Faculty or Region Chair
The nurses in our ACN community know how impactful it is to receive support from a group of like-minded colleagues and friends. Whether it be finding out the latest information on your specialty of interest, trying to understand a state or region-based policy change, or needing someone to lend an ear, nurses are finding their community in ACN’s Faculties and Regions.
The Faculty and Region leadership teams lead the charge in these communities with support from ACN’s Engagement team. There are 24 Faculties and 13 Regions comprised of nurses across Australia and the world. Connecting their communities, keeping members up-to-date, and engaging through webinars, CPD and other events are a core part of how our Leadership teams influence the strength and longevity of their specialisation and local nursing workforce.
Ready to lead? Positions are open for Leadership Opportunities in our Faculties and Regions!
Shape the future of ACN’s Policy
ACN and our expert Policy team are committed to ensuring that all levels of influence are hearing the nursing voice and understand the importance of nurse-led solutions to a suite of issues affecting Australians.
We are always looking for nurse specialists across the spectrum of health to contribute to a series of policy consultations, submissions, White Papers, Issue Papers, Position Statements and more.
If you have experience, expertise or a passion about an issue, we want to hear from you!
While the time is volunteered, your involvement will be eligible to accrue continuing professional development hours.
Represent ACN in the community
Following up from our submissions, ACN representatives are the first line to share the experiences of ACN and our community. Whether it is fronting a Parliamentary Inquiry, speaking to the media on ACN’s behalf on regional issues, or representing your community at an event, we are always looking for representatives to speak to the value of the nursing profession.
As much as we try, ACN staff cannot be at all places at all times and who better to represent the specialty or local community than the people working to provide care?
Find out more about representation and register your interest today.
Thank you to all the volunteers who take their time to support ACN in our mission of Shaping Health, Advancing Nursing. National Volunteer Week may only be one week, but volunteers change the world every day and we would not be who we are without you. If you would like to join the tribe of nurses shaping the future of all Australians, get in contact with us.
