We are committed to ensuring that the expertise and experiences of nurses are represented in policy development throughout the Australian health and aged care system.

Fellows and Members of ACN are regularly invited to participate in consultations on a broad range of clinical, professional and health policy issues. Opportunities to contribute to ACN submissions are advertised through our monthly eNewsletter and by direct communication with members.

The Australian College of Nursing (ACN) is committed to supporting and promoting safe work environments while improving policy and processes to eradicate occupational violence against nurses. The unacceptable experience of occupational violence against nurses is widespread. ACN does not accept this risk to nurses and will work tirelessly to support the introduction of legislation and initiatives that will ensure our workplaces are safe for the nursing profession.

In 2021, ACN established the Nurses and Violence Taskforce designed to develop policy and support advocacy.

Our White Papers detail information on topics which reflect our values and mission of ‘Shaping Health, Advancing Nursing’ to enhance health care.

• The nursing response to the climate emergency
• Reimagining the community and primary health care system
• Nurses are essential in health and aged care reform
• Regulation of the unregulated health care workforce across the health care system
• Achieving quality palliative care for all: The essential role of nurses
• A new horizon for health service: Optimising advanced practice nursing
• Establishing a nurse-led palliative care service in Australia: an implementation toolkit
• A national minimum dataset for nursing workforce planning and decision making
• Value-based health care through nursing leadership ( version: abridged | full )
  — The case for nurse leadership in value-based health care – factsheet
• Nurse Leadership

ACN members can also access our White Papers on neo.

The Australian College of Nursing (ACN) invites applications from registered nurses to participate in the ACN Foundation Policy Fellows Program (the program). Launched was initially launched 2019 by the ACN Foundation, this is the first nursing specific health policy fellowship in Australia.

The program has been designed to provide the next generation of nurse leaders with an understanding of the relationship between policy, advocacy and improvements in health outcomes, with a particular focus on the nursing contribution.

The Fellowship requires a commitment of one year. During this time participants will be exposed to and engage with a range of thought leaders within and external to nursing. Supported by a mentor they will participate in an interactive structured program. For further information, please email policy@acn.edu.au.