‘Eighty years is enough’: Why Australia must sign the Treaty to ban nuclear weapons
“There are no safe hands for nuclear weapons,” says activist Dimity Hawkins, co-founder of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN). As the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the United States approaches on 6 and 9 August, the leading nuclear disarmament advocate warns that amid ongoing global conflicts, […]
‘Moulds are for pottery, not for midwives’. Exploring the career of an academic midiwfe
With two nurses for parents, Liz McNeill once swore she would never follow in their footsteps. “I heard all the stories growing up, my Dad was a psychiatric nurse and my mother worked in aged care, and I thought, no thanks,” she recalls. But fate had other ideas. From a young age, Liz was drawn […]
Paediatric Organ Donation Specialist Nurse urges Australians to consider giving someone a second chance at life
“This job enables me to offer families a chance to create a legacy for their child,” says Mellissa Short, a DonateLife Victoria paediatrics Nurse Donation Specialist based at Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) and Monash Children’s Hospital. “Organ and tissue donation can help families cope with their grief in the months and years ahead of […]
Nurses can’t stay silent on medicinal cannabis: A call for safer, smarter practice
As a nurse who has worked at the frontline of both traditional and cannabinoid-based care, I’ve witnessed the real-world consequences of our system’s slow and inconsistent uptake of medicinal cannabis policy. Despite medicinal cannabis being legal and regulated in Australia since 2016, nurses are still left in the dark. We are expected to care for […]
Why AI can never replace the human touch in nursing
Artificial Intelligence (AI) may be highly advanced and tireless, but it will never fully replace certain jobs that require qualities beyond software capabilities, such as empathy, a human touch, or the ability to make complex decisions. At a time when jobs are being outsourced to robots, nurses cannot be replaced. This article delves into the […]
Trailblazing ANMF (Vic Branch) leader, Lisa Fitzpatrick, clocks off
After more than two decades at the helm of the ANMF (Vic Branch), Secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick has retired.
Low FODMAP diet can ease symptoms of those with endometriosis, study finds
A low FODMAP diet developed by Monash University researchers for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has been shown to improve gastrointestinal symptoms in women with endometriosis, a new study has revealed. Sixty percent of study participants responded to the Low FODMAP Diet (LFD), compared to 26% who responded to a control diet based on Australian Dietary […]
Paid clinical placements a ‘positive first step’, says ANMF
From today, nursing and midwifery students across Australia can apply for the $331.65 per week Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP) to manage the significant financial costs of undertaking their mandatory clinical placements. The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) was instrumental in advocating for the CPP to help alleviate widespread ‘placement poverty’ experienced by students due […]
Courage under fire as a nurse leads through a bushfire crisis
The 2024 report Climate-Driven Extreme Weather Events: Australian Nurses’ and Midwives’ Experiences highlights the extraordinary leadership of nurses and midwives during some of Australia’s most severe climate-driven disasters.1 This three-part ANMJ series presents case studies that showcase how these incredible healthcare professionals lead responses in times of crisis, demonstrating resilience, adaptability, and compassion when their communities were at their […]
Shaping the future of care – ANMF priorities 2025: Nursing and midwifery workforce reform
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) is focused on driving meaningful change in 2025 to ensure better conditions for nurses, midwives, carers, students and to meet the health and aged care needs of the community Recognising the critical milestones we have already achieved like wage increases and mandated care minutes, we know progress is […]