Join neonatal nurses from across the state for a relaxed evening of connection, learning and inspiration. Our networking dinner and presentations will showcase nurse‑led research that can shape the future of neonatal care.

We are honoured to welcome our special international guest, Dr Ashley Darcy Mahoney, a globally recognised neonatal nurse practitioner, researcher, and advocate for early childhood neurodevelopment. Her insights promise to inspire, challenge, and spark new ideas within our community.

Event highlights include:

• Welcome and presentation by ACNN Victoria Branch chair, Monash Children’s Neonatal Clinical Trial Coordinator, and PhD Candidate Emma Yeomans
• Keynote session with Dr Ashley Darcy Mahoney
• Networking with peers across clinical, research, and leadership roles
• A delicious 3-course shared menu prepared by Naughton’s Hotel
• A welcome drink on arrival

Cost: ACNN members: $32 (discount applied on logging in); non-members $65; drinks at bar prices
Registration: ESSENTIAL.  Be quick, only 40 spots available! Register by Saturday 28^th February

Bios and synopsis: Dr. Ashley Darcy Mahoney – Keynote speaker
Dr. Ashley Darcy Mahoney, PhD, NNP-BC, FAAN, is a neonatal nurse practitioner and professor of nursing at The George Washington University School of Nursing. A renowned expert in early childhood development, Dr. Darcy Mahoney’s research focuses on improving long term outcomes for high-risk infants and addressing paediatric health disparities. She has secured significant funding from HRSA, NIH, and private foundations, supporting her innovative work. With over 60 peer-reviewed publications and a co-edited book, The Future of Nursing 2020-2030: Global Applications to Advance Health Equity, she has made substantial contributions to advancing nursing science. Dr. Darcy Mahoney also engages in national leadership roles, including as the previous NAM nurse scholar-in-residence fellow in the American Academy of Nursing and has been recognized for her significant impact on nursing and health policy.

Presentation title: The Neurobiology of Nuture: Nursing-led Language Interventions that Shape the Developing Brain

Presentation synopsis: This session highlights translational pathways from early neurodevelopmental science to clinical application, bridging bench to bedside through nurse-led research models. Drawing on our work examining neural efficiency in bilingual preterm-born children during executive function tasks, we illustrate how mechanistic brain science can directly inform the design of culturally responsive, family-centered nursing interventions, including the development of Háblame Bebé.

Emma Yeomans, Monash Clinical Trials Coordinator and PhD Candidate
Emma Yeomans is a neonatal nurse and Clinical Trials Coordinator at Monash Newborn, with a strong focus on advancing nurse-led research and improving outcomes for infants and families. She is currently undertaking a Doctorate of Nursing at La Trobe University exploring Family-Centred Care interventions in Neonatal Intensive Care Units across Australia. Emma has presented her work nationally and internationally and is passionate about building research capability within the nursing workforce. Her interests include implementation of Family-Centred Care, communication across the care continuum, and empowering nurses to lead and translate research into everyday clinical practice. Emma is committed to strengthening collaboration between clinicians, researchers and families to improve neonatal care and experiences.

Presentation title: Nurses and midwives perspectives on nurse-led research

Presentation synopsis: This presentation will explore how nurses and midwives are engaging in research across a large healthcare organisation, and the barriers and enablers influencing their participation. I will share findings from a cross-sectional survey highlighting current levels of involvement, key challenges such as time and mentorship, and what supports clinicians need to lead research.