Nursing Australia

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   

In this episode of the Nursing Australia podcast: MAJOR gaps in dementia training among health professionals, as well as lack of general knowledge among the general population;  PLUS: Did you know 1 in 4 Australians over 65 are prescribed antidepressants (compared with 1 in 7 from the average Australia population); and of course, the latest healthcare news.

The latest Nursing Australia News  (02:05): Broken heart patches, bacterial pricks, and Ebola claims a nurses' life.

The Dementia Dilemma (03:45): Globally, dementia is on the rise and yet there are still so many misconceptions about this disease. Kristie Tiernan, works for Dementia Training Australia (DTA). She has personally experienced the impact of dementia after her grandfather was diagnosed  & she is passionate about addressing the gaps in training and education when it comes to dementia & types of dementia. 

Overprescribed (13:50): Latest data from the Australian Institute of Health & Welfare shows people over 65 are disproportionally prescribed anti-depressants...Why is this happening, what harm could this be causing, and how can we break this cycle? Matt catches up with Dr Kate Annear to discuss. 

Dr Kate Annear, Medical Advisor for Quality use of Medicines Alliance 

Want to learn more (boost your CPD)?

Antidepressants decision aid

Deprescribing plan

Navigating the grey – a holistic approach to mental health in later life – Free webinar 1 hour CPD

 

More handy Links: 

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

Discover more: Dementia Training Australia  

Primary Health Care Nurses Day 2025 - Get Involved!  

The Festival of Nursing 2025 - coming to Brisbane this July 

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

Music from Adobe & Pixabay

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 interrupt this programming to introduce 🌞🎙️ Nursing Australia’s Summer Series! This 4-part, limited series will deliver a dose of nursing insights to your ears 🎧each week throughout the month of January.  Dive into the heart and soul of Australian healthcare 🩺with inspiring stories, expert insights, and a touch of summer vibes as we profile 4 of Australia’s favourite nurses☀️🌊

In this fourth (4th) installment of our Summer Series meet nurse, Taylor-Jane! Taylor is a 2024 APNA Nurse Awards recipient, taking out Graduate Nurse of the Year. Taylor is very goal-driven & even had written down on her list of goals that she wanted to win this award! She's interested in wounds, rural nursing and she loves caffeine! She's our kinda gal!  ☕️ 🍫 

The Graduate (01:00): Meet Taylor 🏆 the 2024 APNA Graduate Nurse of the Year! Taylor is extremely motivated and has achieved a lot in a short time. Don’t miss her inspiring story - grab your cuppa and tune in! 🎧✨ #nursingaustraliapodcast


Handy Links: 

Primary Health Care Nurses Day 2025 - Get Involved!  

Join APNA today     

Subscribe to The Connect (our weekly newsletter) 

Click here to watch the 2024 APNA Nursing Awards Ceremony

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

Hosted by: Matthew St Ledger, Mitch Wall & Katherine Fullagar
Produced by: Leith Alexander & Matthew St Ledger
Music by: 
Pixabay
Adobe

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

Hosted by: Matthew St Ledger, Mitch Wall & Katherine Fullagar
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