Unions call for 10 days paid reproductive leave to support women battling menopause and perimenopause

Australian women are being pushed out of the workforce early due to lack of support to deal with the symptoms of menopause or perimenopause, a Senate inquiry has heard.
Australia facing shortfall of over 70,000 nurses by 2035, report reveals

Australia is facing a shortage of more than 70,000 nurses by 2035, according to national projections revealed in the Department of Health and Aged Care’s Nursing Supply and Demand Study. The study used data collected between 2014 and 2022 to forecast the supply and demand for nurses over the next 12 years. The model split […]
Privately practising midwives rally against potential restrictions to scope of practice

After more than two decades in the public health system, midwife Di Longworth ventured into private practice, offering midwifery services, including homebirths, to her local community.
Nurse living with obesity champions fight to help others

Catherine Smith’s relationship with obesity runs deep. There’s a strong family history – one of her parents underwent bariatric surgery. While a close relative died from obesity-related conditions. Her own experience emerged in her mid-to-late 30s, triggered by having an early hysterectomy to help prevent ovarian cancer, which her mother passed away from, that caused […]
Q&A: A day in the life of an Organ Donation Specialist Nurse

Samantha Stones is a Donation Specialist Nurse at Western Health. She chatted to the ANMJ about her role in the lead up to annual DonateLife Week. What inspired you to become a Donation Specialist Nurse? I feel that I have lived a life that has been touched by organ donation. When I was younger, I […]
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.