Still nursing at 83, Rosemary remains a staunch union member
Whenever registered nurse Rosemary Power gets the chance to share her wisdom with young nurses and midwives, her message is clear: join the union. “I’ve been a union person from day one,” she says proudly. “Whatever you do, join the union. Because when the chips are down, the union has got your back.” Born in […]
Why nurses and midwives need to get political
In the early days of her career, Juliane Samara often heard people suggest nurses shouldn’t engage in politics. She never shared the view.
Inside Maggie Beer’s ‘Big Mission’ to transform food in aged care
“I’m on my way to a lunch appointment but I’ve got to say, I’m a little nervous,” says Australian food icon Maggie Beer, in the opening scene of her new TV series for the ABC, Maggie Beer’s Big Mission, which premieres tonight. This is not your typical lunch but rather Beer’s “groundbreaking experiment” aimed at […]
Fair Work Commission hands down decision on timing of pay rises for aged care workers
Historic wage increases awarded to aged care workers will be delivered in two tranches from the start of next year, the Fair Work Commission (FWC) has decided. In March, the FWC handed down final increases in its Stage 3 decision of the ANMF’s Aged Care Work Value Case for aged care workers except RNs and […]
‘You’re not alone’: Nurses open up on battle with Long COVID
A year ago, RN Bronwyn led an active and outgoing lifestyle, even captaining her local footy team. Then, Long COVID struck.
Achieving health equity for women and girls
“It’s high time that our nation, and indeed the world, had a serious discussion about women’s health,” declared Ged Kearney, Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, at the 2024 World Health Summit Regional Meeting, held in Melbourne earlier this year. Speaking on a panel of women’s health experts discussing key challenges to achieving health […]
‘Believe in yourself’: Why I returned to nursing after a 20-year break
Victorian registered nurse Sally Baker’s life changed dramatically after discovering she had lipoedema, a chronic health condition often mistaken for obesity or lymphoedema. The connective tissue disorder, which mostly affects women, is characterised by abnormal growth of adipose tissue in the legs, buttocks and, sometimes, arms, resulting in a disproportionate body shape, often accompanied by […]
Nurses in GP clinics stuck ‘doing paperwork’ instead of treating patients
Four out of five nurses working in GP clinics are being bogged down with a long list of non-clinical, administrative work, rather than being fully utilised.
‘You feel humbled’: Nurses and midwives recognised in 2024 King’s Birthday Honours
Lesley Woolf originally wanted to join the Navy, but her father wouldn’t let her. So, she decided to become a nurse instead, embarking on a remarkable journey that has taken her across the country and now spanned more than five decades. The Northern Territory registered nurse and midwife is among hundreds of Australians recognised in […]
New resources to reduce asthma symptoms and improve the environment
The National Asthma Council Australia (NAC) has released new information on today’s World Environment Day to help GPs make choices that could reduce asthma symptoms, prevent severe exacerbations and, at the same time, help improve the health of the environment. Reducing the environmental impact of asthma treatment is the first statement from the NAC outlining […]