ACN Nursing in the Community Week, 22-28 September 2025 – #nursesarewhereyouneedthem
Throughout the Australian College of Nursing's (ACN) Nursing in the Community Week 2025, Australia's nurses will be sending a clear message that nurses are working and providing high-quality care and advice wherever and whenever you need them, and they should be supported to provide more comprehensive care.
Chair of the ACN Nursing in the Community Faculty, Professor Liz Halcomb FACN, said that 40 per cent of all nurses and midwives in Australia do not work in hospitals.
"There are almost 500,000 nurses, nurse practitioners, and midwives registered to work in Australia," Professor Halcomb said.
"But people do not have to go to a hospital to receive high quality health care from a nurse.
"We are working in multiple settings across every community in the country – aged care, remote health clinics, general practice, schools, prisons, and even in people's homes.
"Nurses are where you need them."
Professor Halcomb said that nurses working in the community could do much more to improve people's access to the care they need if recommended reforms were introduced to allow nurses and midwives to work to their full scope of practice, independent of outdated regulations and red tape.
"Nurses and midwives make up 54 per cent of Australia's health workforce. Nursing is the most geographically dispersed health profession in the country, "Professor Halcomb said.
"Nurses are uniquely placed to provide safe and quality health care and services across all settings and in all locations.
"We are seeing the success and community support for nurse-led clinics in the ACT.
"We are seeing the vital role that nurses are playing in the successful rollout of Medicare Urgent Care Clinics.
"Nurses provide care for individuals, families, and communities through all stages of life.
"Enabling nurses, nurse practitioners, and midwives to work to their full scope of practice is key to achieving meaningful health reform that improves patient access to the care they need.
"Vulnerable populations – those in rural and remote areas, First Nations, older Australians, those from low socio-economic groups and living with poor mental health and/or chronic conditions – will benefit most from allowing nurses to fully use their skills, qualifications, and experience."
"In many communities, nurses are the most qualified and skilled health professionals. In others, they are the only health professionals.
"Nurses are working where people need them. All governments must provide greater support to keep nurses working in local communities and attract more nurses to work in these accessible settings.
"Nurses in the community keep the health system connected. They keep care connected. They keep people connected, and they keep them well."
Case Studies:
- Sharon Hills – General Practice Nurse, St Kilda, Melbourne
Sharon is an experienced nurse in a general practice who provides comprehensive healthcare services across all life stages, from newborns to elderly patients. Her diverse role encompasses preventive care, chronic disease management, and acute medical interventions within a general practice setting.
Her clinical responsibilities include administering immunisations to infants and young children, educating patients about chronic diseases, and conducting chronic care and aged care assessments for patients aged 75 and older. Sharon also handles urgent medical situations, including triaging patients with suspected heart attacks, treating workplace injuries requiring suturing, managing burns, and addressing acute illness exacerbations.
Sharon thrives on the unpredictable nature of her work, which can shift from planned appointments to chaotic emergency situations. Her most rewarding professional moment involved helping a 45-year-old woman achieve type 2 diabetes remission through dedicated diet and exercise counselling – demonstrating the profound impact of nursing intervention and patient partnership.
She is passionate about raising awareness of the complexity and scope of general practice nursing, which extends far beyond clinical procedures to include health maintenance support, chronic disease management, and mental health assistance. Sharon wishes more nurses understood the deep satisfaction that comes from this multifaceted role and its significant impact on community health outcomes.
- Caitlyn Moore MACN – Registered Nurse, Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District
Caitlyn is a dedicated community health and palliative care nurse who specialises in providing comprehensive care to patients in their home environments. She finds deep fulfillment in supporting individuals and families through end-of-life care and palliative care journeys, considering it one of her greatest professional privileges.
Her expertise extends beyond traditional expectations of community nursing, encompassing complex medical care including wound management, catheter care, and central line maintenance. Caitlin emphasises that community health nursing involves far more than basic wound care – it requires sophisticated case coordination, collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, and autonomous decision-making.
She is passionate about educating others on the complexity and enriching nature of community nursing, highlighting how the role allows nurses to make meaningful differences in patients' lives while utilising their full range of skills and experience. Caitlin values the autonomy her position provides and the opportunity to deliver personalised, comprehensive care outside of traditional hospital settings.
- Kavita Pantha – Aged Care Team Supervisor, SydWest Multicultural Services
Kavita Pantha is an accomplished healthcare professional who serves as an Aged Care Team Supervisor at SydWest Multicultural Services in Blacktown, NSW. With advanced degrees in Health Management and Public Health, she brings both academic expertise and practical leadership to her role in enhancing healthcare outcomes for Western Sydney's diverse communities.
In her leadership position, Kavita oversees clinical operations, mentors teams, and ensures adherence to regulatory standards for optimal care delivery. She guides her clinical team in providing culturally sensitive care to diverse communities while maintaining excellence through strategic leadership and continuous improvement initiatives.
Her greatest professional satisfaction comes from witnessing the tangible impact her team makes on clients and families, particularly within culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities. Kavita understands that meaningful care often lies in the small gestures and personalised attention provided to clients in their home environments.
She is deeply passionate about advocacy work, specifically ensuring that CALD communities have their voices heard in healthcare decision-making and care planning processes. Kavita actively fosters partnerships to improve healthcare accessibility and effectiveness, recognising the importance of cultural representation and community empowerment in healthcare delivery.
Beyond clinical expertise, Kavita emphasises that community nursing encompasses relationship-building between clients, families, and the broader healthcare system. She takes great pride in her profession and her role in bridging cultural gaps to provide equitable, compassionate care. Her work demonstrates a commitment to both clinical excellence and social justice in healthcare delivery, promoting a culture of compassion while achieving the best outcomes for the community.
- Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District primary care and community health nursing service, Sydney
Community nurses across the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District provide vital healthcare services that keep families together and prevent unnecessary hospitalisations. Serving over 348,000 residents across 9,000 square kilometres, these dedicated professionals deliver specialised care directly to patients' homes, community centres, and remote locations accessible only by four-wheel drive or ferry.
From caring for newborns through child and family health programs to supporting individuals through life-limiting illnesses with compassionate palliative care, community nurses are often the healthcare lifeline for rural and remote communities. They manage chronic wounds, provide dementia support that helps families maintain independence, and deliver post-hospital follow-up care that prevents readmissions.
These nurses navigate natural disasters, road closures, and challenging terrain to ensure no one goes without care. Their holistic approach – addressing physical, emotional, and spiritual needs – exemplifies the 200-year legacy of Australian community nursing, making quality healthcare accessible wherever people call home.
