Nurses around Australia are taking the initiative to improve health care in this country and the innovative work of four nurses has seen them selected as Finalists in the inaugural Health Minister's Award for Nursing Trailblazers.
"We were overwhelmed, inspired and impressed by the nominations we received," Australian College of Nursing CEO, Adjunct Professor Kylie Ward FACN said. "The projects and research nurses are leading across the nation have the potential to change the face of health care.
"All nominees are leaders and I know we will hear much about their work in the future. From this outstanding group, our four Finalists stood out."
The Finalists are:
- Dr Jeanine Young FACN, Professor of Nursing at the University of the Sunshine Coast from QLD is leading the way with her "Pepi-Pod Program". This national program unites cultural practices and safe sleep environments for Indigenous Australian infants to reduce the risk of sudden and unexpected infant deaths.
- Nikki Johnston MACN is an ACT based Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner. Her INSPIRED program integrates specialist palliative care into residential aged care facilities providing better pain management during end of life care and supporting older Australians to die in their preferred place.
- Western Australian Clinical Nurse Consultant Linda Campbell's MACN Blood Management Program provides equitable care through better blood management practices for rural and remote residents who are waiting for a primary joint replacement.
- Professor Sandy Middleton FACN, Director of the Nursing Research Institute is undertaking the Quality in Acute Stroke Care (QASC) Research Program. This program has transformed nursing practice nationally and internationally by highlighting the importance of nursing care in the management of fever, hyperglycaemia (raised glucose levels) and swallowing difficulties after stroke.
"Being selected as a Trailblazer Finalist is an honour in and of itself and these four nurses are now part of the 2019 ACN Trailblazer Alumni.
"The Award recognises that nursing has the solutions to many of the problems that plague our health and aged care system," Adjunct Professor Ward explained.
The winner of the 2019 Health Minister's Award for Nursing Trailblazers will be announced on April 9 at a presentation ceremony in Sydney.
