APNA grows to provide more support for nurses

By APNA CEO Ken Griffin

Source: APNA Primary Times Summer 2022-23 (Volume 22, Issue 2)

Australia’s primary health care nurses have had plenty of surprises and challenges during 2022. Throughout the year, the APNA team has continued to evolve to ensure that we can support you during the daily challenges thrown at you by primary health care.

This year saw APNA grow to provide further support, with more nurses on the APNA Nurse Support Line, a larger membership team and more people working on vital programs, including the Student Nurse Placement Program, the Transition to Practice Program and other project teams. 

The APNA Roadshow has been a significant undertaking for the membership team, providing a vital opportunity to bring nurses together to reconnect, recharge and learn. The stories shared with the team during these events have been heart-warming, heartbreaking, uplifting and inspiring in equal measure. Australia’s health system is still to realise how much its nurses can do to keep Australia healthy. The Roadshow has highlighted this for the team and has made us more determined to bring about change. 

APNA has also been present in the right places to change policy. From the 10 Year Primary Health Care Strategy under the former government, to the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce under the current one, APNA President Karen Booth has been advocating to address the issues you face daily. APNA continues to be seen as an essential stakeholder for government when policy change is needed, and we remain confident of change in the system that will better recognise the role of all nurses. Our efforts in this area are guided by the view that every nurse should be valued, visible and respected. 

The stories shared with the team during these events have been heart-warming, heartbreaking, uplifting and inspiring in equal measure

I’d like to thank the APNA Board (past and current members), the APNA team and all those who have been part of the various consultations, panels, advisory committees and representation activities for all of your work. Your efforts make APNA the growing, effective and vibrant organisation we are today. 

Of course, it hasn’t all been work. We’ve had the opportunity to let our hair down to mark 21 years of APNA with you. At every Roadshow event, APNA founder Sam Moses has shared her story of APNA’s beginnings in 2001 and we’ve celebrated with you. 

Much like that of all nurses, our work is never done, and we’re planning a BIG 2023. There is so much underway, including more smaller local events. We’ll also be bringing back the APNA Conference with a significant format change. The 2023 Festival of Nursing, in Perth from 27 to 29 July, will mark the first time we’ve brought APNA’s largest event to Western Australia and we’re looking forward to showing off the best of primary health care nursing at this event. I hope to see you there. 

Until then, I wish all of our members a restful break. While it’s been another busy, unpredictable year, never forget that as one of the ~91,000 primary health care nurses in the country, you are having a significant impact on the health of Australia.