Australian College of Nursing

01/05/2026

We're asking Aussie nurses and students to show us a glimpse into their world for the chance to win a $200 gift voucher for International Nurses Day (IND)🤩
Just post your video and tag ACN on Instagram or TikTok to enter.
Details and T&CS can be found on our website.
Good luck! 💚

29/04/2026

Nominations for the 2026 Health Minister’s Award for Nursing Trailblazers, run by the Australian College of Nursing (ACN), are now open for nurses who have demonstrated innovative leadership in transforming healthcare, with submissions closing on 1 June 2026.

Nominate yourself or a colleague now 💚

25/04/2026

The Australian College of Nursing honours the service of military nurses – past and present – who have cared for others with courage, compassion, and unwavering dedication.

Nurses have stood at the heart of Australia's defence forces, often at great personal cost.
Their legacy is one of sacrifice, skill, and service.

ACN is proud to support military nurses through our Military Nursing Faculty – a community that recognises and strengthens the vital contribution nurses make to our defence forces and our nation's health.

To all who have served and continue to serve – we thank you, and we remember.
Lest we forget.

20/04/2026

It is crucial to recognise that mental and physical health are intimately intertwined. They are not independent entities but rather interconnected facets of our overall well-being. We present five easy yet effective tips to help you combat daily stresses and work towards a healthier, happier you.

Don't forget to look after yourself. You can also access www.nmsupport.org.au a 24/7 support service for nurses and midwives.

20/04/2026

14/04/2026

Thank you to this year's Nursing & Health Expo event supporters, HESTA, Amplar Health, and Omeo District Health.

14/04/2026

Business as usual isn't working for vaccines – and the Australian College of Nursing is calling for change.

Vaccination coverage is sliding, and now at five-year lows for children. Influenza rates have been at record highs, and other vaccine-preventable diseases like measles are circulating.

ACN is urging the Federal Government to fund nurses to deliver vaccines where people are: Urgent Care Clinics, and community settings from libraries to men's sheds.

Nurses already deliver more vaccines than any other profession, even though they’re not funded to.

Let’s increase access to trusted health care, and prevent avoidable hospitalisations and hospital spending.

Read the full media release: https://ow.ly/z3Rq50YIwL6

Featured: ACN Chief Nursing Officer Frances Rice MACN appearing on SBS World News.

13/04/2026

Thank you to Senator Anne Ruston for the meeting today.

It was a great opportunity to emphasise the Australian College of Nursing's message about nurses' critical role in the Australian healthcare system, and for reforms that will enable nurses to work to their full scope of practice to improve health outcomes.

Read more in the ACN Pre-Budget Submission: https://www.acn.edu.au/advocacy-policy/2026-2027-pre-budget-submission

Pictured: the two South Australians – Senator Ruston and ACN Chief Executive Officer Adjunct Professor Kathryn Zeitz FACN.

13/04/2026

Have you read this one? Welcome to April's book review: Brown. Female. Doctor a memoir by Sarah Arachchi.

Sarah Arachchi’s memoir, Brown. Female. Doctor is a powerful, honest, and deeply moving account of resilience, determination, and the enduring fight against systemic racism within the medical profession.

Migrating from Sri Lanka to Australia at the age of nine, Sarah dreamed of becoming a paediatrician. That dream, however, was filled with personal sacrifice, moments of doubt, and the harsh realities of working in a system that often fails to support those who don’t “fit the mould.”

This memoir is not just a personal triumph—it’s a rallying call for change. Sarah will undoubtedly be an extraordinary educator and role model for the next generation of doctors, regardless of their background, skin colour, or accent. Her story inspires courage, empathy, and the belief that we can all contribute to making healthcare a more inclusive and equitable space.

Review by Anne Franke MACN

This review was originally published in The Hive. Become a member to get access and other benefits:

Becoming an ACN member means joining a thriving community of passionate professionals dedicated to advancing nursing and delivering exceptional patient care.

09/04/2026

April is Stress Awareness Month 💙

In the middle of long days, and everything in between, taking a moment for yourself matters more than you think. We asked our ACN community: what does self care or unwinding look like for you?

Here’s your reminder that looking after yourself isn’t a luxury, it’s essential.

What’s part of your self care routine? Share it with us below 👇

06/04/2026

The ACN Nursing & Health Expo is happening soon and is the perfect opportunity to explore career pathways, meet top organisations and gain practical, take‑home skills.

Free entry. No tickets needed. Simply come along and discover where nursing and health can take you.

Thank you to our sponsors: HESTA, Amplar Health, and Omeo District Health