Meet the Chief, Part Three of Three

She's Australia's most senior nurse and in this instalment, Matt St. Ledger talks to adjunct professor, Alison McMillan about the the changes that could redefine nursing as we know it... 

We're casting our eyes forward - beyond the day-to-day, to what's next for the profession. 

From the growing influence of Nurse Practitioners and expanded scope of practice, to how we stay connected as a workforce in a system under pressure.  

What will it take to future proof nursing? And how do we make sure nurses are at the centre of change and not just reacting to it? 

Its the final episode of this bonus series, but the conversation doesn't end here —  nurses are driving innovation, shaping policy and redefining what healthcare policy looks like. 

Stay informed, stay connected and keep leading from the front. And stay tuned for more healthcare news. 

This highly anticipated special series has been produced by Leith Alexander.

Click here to get in touch with Nursing Australia (send a text for free from anywhere in the world) #askusanything

Hosted & Produced by: Matthew St Ledger & Leith Alexander
Produced by: Leith Alexander & Matthew St Ledger

Click here to get in touch with Nursing Australia (send a text for free from anywhere in the world) #askusanything

Hosted & Produced by: Matthew St Ledger & Leith Alexander
Produced by: Leith Alexander & Matthew St Ledger

Click here to get in touch with Nursing Australia (send a text for free from anywhere in the world) #askusanything

Hosted & Produced by: Matthew St Ledger & Leith Alexander
Produced by: Leith Alexander & Matthew St Ledger

Meet the Chief, Part Two of Three

She's Australia's most senior nurse and in this instalment, Matt St. Ledger talks to adjunct professor, Alison McMillan about the the changes that could redefine nursing as we know it... 

From the expanding role of Nurse Practitioners, to the future of nurse prescribing. What's possible, what's coming and whats standing in the way. 

This isn’t just about titles — it’s about impact, voice, and the quiet power behind the scenes of national healthcare. 

Keep an eye on your favourite podcast listening apps as part 3 drops next week. This highly anticipated special series has been produced by Leith Alexander.

Click here to get in touch with Nursing Australia (send a text for free from anywhere in the world) #askusanything

Hosted & Produced by: Matthew St Ledger & Leith Alexander
Produced by: Leith Alexander & Matthew St Ledger

Click here to get in touch with Nursing Australia (send a text for free from anywhere in the world) #askusanything

Hosted & Produced by: Matthew St Ledger & Leith Alexander
Produced by: Leith Alexander & Matthew St Ledger

Meet the Chief, Part One of Three

She’s the most senior nurse in the country — but what do we really know about Australia’s Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer Alison McMillan?  

Matt St Ledger sat down in Canberra with Allison for an in-depth 1 on 1 

In today’s first part, discover the role, uncover the person behind the title, and explore the challenges of online trolling and disaster management in healthcare leadership. 

This isn’t just about titles — it’s about impact, voice, and the quiet power behind the scenes of national healthcare. 

And keep an eye on your favourite podcast listening apps as part 2 and 3 drop over the coming weeks. This highly anticipated special series has been produced by Leith Alexander

Click here to get in touch with Nursing Australia (send a text for free from anywhere in the world) #askusanything

Hosted & Produced by: Matthew St Ledger & Leith Alexander
Produced by: Leith Alexander & Matthew St Ledger

The latest Nursing Australia News (02:15) Global workforce warning, Aussie nursing wins, cheeky pill pilfer, and UK pay revolt.

Wound Care - The Golden Rules (04:45) Jess Tully is joined by the wound care specialist Melissa Freeman to break down the golden rules of wound care — whether you’re managing chronic ulcers, surgical sites, discover eye-opening principles you can apply to practice.

Atrial Fibrillation (14:20) It’s estimated that 500,000 Australians have been diagnosed with AF. While this is only 2% of the population, the impact of undiagnosed and undertreated AF can be catastrophic. Dr Kate Annear rejoins Nursing Australia Discover info on AF and more at the Quality Use of Medicines Hub  

Join The Obesity Collective in shifting the conversation on weight and health. Access free resources today at theobesitycollective.org.au   

Discover the Life Program 

Discover info on AF and more at the Quality Use of Medicines Hub   

FLORENCE App by APNA 

Subscribe to The Connect (our weekly newsletter) 

Click here to get in touch with Nursing Australia (send a text for free from anywhere in the world) #askusanything

Hosted & Produced by: Matthew St Ledger & Leith Alexander
Produced by: Leith Alexander & Matthew St Ledger

Nursing Australia's Stigma, Science & The Stage is Set for Nurses presents: 

The latest Nursing Australia News (04:00) Paid placements, Tasmania strikes, and TikTok popularises dangerous practice.  

Segment 1: The Vital Role of Nurses in Ending HIV Transmission (07:10)  We shine a spotlight on HIV in Australia—where we stand, what’s changing, and the frontline interventions making a difference. Hear directly from the team at ASHM Australasian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine as they break down the latest in treatment, testing, and tackling stigma. Check out the Decision Making in PrEP Tool for Health Professionals. 

Segment 2: Sneak Peak: The Festival of Nursing 2025 with APNA Founder Sam Moses (23:45) & APNA CEO Ken Griffin (36:50) Don’t miss your exclusive sneak peek into the nursing event of the year—The Festival of Nursing! Whether you're clinical, community, or just keen for a killer CPD lineup and a catch-up, this is the date to save. Let’s go. 

Handy Links: 

 ASHM Upcoming Seminar: Strengthening STI and BBV Prevention through Primary Nursing Practice

Rego: https://apna-asn-au.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_A7vO5GbQQu6848lm8d28Qg 

Events Calendar: https://www.apna.asn.au/event/sti-and-bbv-prevention-through-practice 

Festival of Nursing  

The LIFE Program 

FLORENCE App by APNA 

Subscribe to The Connect (our weekly newsletter) 

Decision Making in PrEP Tool

Click here to get in touch with Nursing Australia (send a text for free from anywhere in the world) #askusanything

Hosted & Produced by: Matthew St Ledger & Leith Alexander
Produced by: Leith Alexander & Matthew St Ledger

The June Edition of Nursing Australia presents:  

The latest Nursing Australia News (03:25) RN Prescribing Approved, Rural Nurse Bonuses, and AI Triage Sparks Debate. 

Segment 1: Eating Disorders (05:15) A clinical deep-dive with Inside Out Australia exploring the latest evidence, diagnostic challenges, and treatment innovations in eating disorders—designed to support health professionals in delivering best-practice care. 

Segment 2: Huntingtons Disease (10:25) A powerful conversation with advocate Kathy Langley on the realities of Huntington’s disease—raw insights, genetic heartbreak, and what every health professional needs to know to truly support these families. 

Segment 3: Get Walking (20:10) It can be hard to keep our bodies well and strong through exercise, especially through the colder months when the sun gets up late and getting out of bed feels so hard! In fact, recent data indicates that only 22% of Australians are meeting recommended physical activity guidelines. Could this be you? Elizabeth Calleja from the Heart Foundation is here to help.  She explains all the benefits exercise has that we might have even forgotten about as well as effective ways in which we can really reach our patients. 

Handy Links: 

Heart Foundation Walking 

FLORENCE App by APNA 

Subscribe to The Connect (our weekly newsletter) 

Click here to get in touch with Nursing Australia (send a text for free from anywhere in the world) #askusanything

Hosted & Produced by: Matthew St Ledger & Leith Alexander
Produced by: Leith Alexander & Matthew St Ledger

This episode of Nursing Australia presents:  

The latest Nursing Australia News (03:15)

Workforce under strain, NP prescribing green-lit, and Rural nurse housing subsidy.  

Seg 1 (04:45) Meet Florence 

Discover Florence, the free app making CPD easy for nurses! Prue Baum from APNA explains how it helps you track everything you learn on the go. 

Seg 2: (18:20) Expanding your Scope of Practice 

Ready for rural nursing? Nurse Jess shares her takeaways from a 5-day course that helps you broaden your scope and thrive in remote roles! 

Handy Links: 

FLORENCE App by APNA 

Festival of Nursing - grab your tickets NOW

Subscribe to The Connect (our weekly newsletter) 

Click here to get in touch with Nursing Australia (send a text for free from anywhere in the world) #askusanything

Hosted & Produced by: Matthew St Ledger & Leith Alexander
Produced by: Leith Alexander & Matthew St Ledger

Last episode Leith spoke with Matt about his experience working at a Medical Cannabis Facility in WA. Matt is also a medicinal cannabis user himself and is studying counselling. As promised, here is the extended interview. Enjoy, and see you next week for our May episode! 

Click here to get in touch with Nursing Australia (send a text for free from anywhere in the world) #askusanything

Hosted & Produced by: Matthew St Ledger & Leith Alexander
Produced by: Leith Alexander & Matthew St Ledger

We’re diving into medicinal cannabis—how it works, who it helps, and the role nurses are playing. Serving 3 perspectives, featuring expert insights, patient stories, and behind-the-scenes at a cannabis facility, this episode unpacks a fast-evolving area of healthcare.   

The Episode of Nursing Australia presents:  

The latest Nursing Australia News (03:36) Major psych clinic shutdown, global health security risk and public health ciggy raids. 

Perspective 1: (05:27) The Nurse: Debbie  

Perspective 2: (22:08) The Patient & Farmer: Matt 

Perspective 3: (38:04) The Doctor: Dr. Jim 

Handy Links: 

HeyDay Medical (Dr. Jim's Clinic) 

The Australian Cannabis Nurses Association (ACNA)  

TGA Guidance for the use of medicinal cannabis in Australia: Overview

FLORENCE App by APNA   

Subscribe to The Connect (our weekly newsletter) 

Click here to get in touch with Nursing Australia (send a text for free from anywhere in the world) #askusanything

Hosted & Produced by: Matthew St Ledger & Leith Alexander
Produced by: Leith Alexander & Matthew St Ledger

In this episode of Nursing Australia - The Slammer: 

The latest Nursing Australia News (04:26) Ozempic for alcoholism, nursing assistant $100,000 fraud, and foreign nurse fast-track. 

Seg 1 Kellie & Di - Prison Nurses (07:38)  Behind bars, beyond duty—meet Kellie & Di, two Aussie prison nurses making a difference. 🚔💉 #HealthcareBehindBars

Seg 2: Step behind the bars - meet Blake (17:45)  Step inside the world of prison healthcare with Blake as we uncover the realities of treating patients behind bars. 🚔💉 #HealthcareBehindBars

Submit your Abstract for The Festival of Nursing 2025: Keeping People Well and Out of Hospital  

The Festival of Nursing 2025 - coming to Brisbane this July 

Subscribe to The Connect (our weekly newsletter) 

Submit your Abstract for The Festival of Nursing 2025: Keeping People Well and Out of Hospital  

Click here to get in touch with Nursing Australia

Click here to get in touch with Nursing Australia (send a text for free from anywhere in the world) #askusanything

Hosted & Produced by: Matthew St Ledger & Leith Alexander
Produced by: Leith Alexander & Matthew St Ledger