Nurses on the frontline of Australia’s AIDS crisis
A new book chronicles the role nurses played during the AIDS pandemic after the emergence of HIV, and how unions drove infection control policy, including universal precautions. “HIV and AIDS devastated communities across Australia in the 1980s and 1990s. Bringing together stories from across the country, historian Geraldine Fela documents the extraordinary care, compassion and […]
NSW nurse makes badminton debut at Paris Olympics
Registered nurse Tiffany Ho admits she is an underdog as she heads off to Paris to compete in the badminton singles at her first Olympic Games. “For me, where I sit in the ranking, I’m in the bottom half. So, everyone will be tough, but that’s the exciting bit. It’s always going to be a […]
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 […]
Struggling with mental health and climate distress? Get out and plant a tree
Planet Ark is encouraging Australians to get outdoors to do something good for their mental health this National Tree Day, 28 July, with research suggesting climate-related impacts on mental health are significantly affecting people’s wellbeing. Eco-anxiety and climate distress are terms used to identify the feelings of concern and distress that result from climate change. […]
The crisis of gendered occupational violence and aggression
The global crisis of gender-based violence is inseparable from occupational violence and aggression (OVA) experienced by the healthcare workforce. As most of the healthcare workforce are nurses, midwives, and care workers, the majority of whom are women, there are undeniable gender-based patterns inherent in both linked phenomena. Women face greater risks of violence and aggression […]
Finding the right words – talking and asking about burnout
Burnout in the nursing and midwifery professions is real and should not be underestimated. Let’s all take burnout seriously, be aware of the symptoms and work together to prevent it. While no nurse, midwife or student should experience burnout, unfortunately many do says Nurse Midwife Health Program Australia (NMHPA) Deputy Director Mark Aitken, who like […]
Reducing the noise in ICU
Western Australian research is aiming to decrease noise levels in intensive care units (ICUs) by implementing improvements in acoustic design. Up to 50% of patients in ICUs experience sleep disturbance due to noise which can hinder recovery and negatively impact their health. Staff report noise levels negatively impact their work performance, patient connection and job satisfaction. […]
Nurse has registration cancelled for groping unconscious patients
A nurse has had his registration cancelled and been disqualified from reapplying until April 2025 after intentionally touching and, in one case, groping the breasts of two unconscious female patients. The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) referred Mr Blair Easdon to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (the tribunal) after he self-notified to […]
Gender assumptions and the value of work
The recent Fair Work Commission aged care work value decision confirmed that the work of aged care sector employees and nurses has been undervalued on the basis of gender assumptions.1 The decision sets out a fascinating history of how and why gender-based assumptions about the value of women’s work has permeated Australia’s industrial relations system […]