News

"Recharge & Reconnect" Workshop
Date: 4 March 2023
Time: 8 am to 5 pm followed by networking event - program to be confirmed
Venue: View Melbourne, 562 St Kilda Road
Speakers and topics: Professor Sue White - Approach to Assessing Dysmorphism in the Neonate; Dr Anastasia Pellicano - Pierre Robin Sequence; Dr Simone Huntingford - Neuromonitoring in the NICU; Jenny Lewis, Pharmacist - Inotropes and medication safety in the NICU; Leanne Boase, President of the ACNP - The Future of the Nurse Practitioner Role in Australia; Dr Anna Tottman, Syphillis - Return of the Great Pretender; Dr Anna Kidman - Post extubation nasal CPAP, How high should we go? Results of ECLAT
Flyer: coming soon. 
Cost: $95 ACNN members; $125 non-members 
Registration: now open 
Enquires to nnpsig@acnn.org.au.

Melbourne February 2-3rd 2023

Sydney February 6-7th 2023

Brisbane February 9-10th 2023

The Royal Hospital for Women in Sydney is offering a series of monthly zoom presentations by Australian and International speakers. The next presentation is Thursday 2nd February commencing at 1 pm Sydney time. ACNN members are invited to attend. These sessions are free. 

21-22 November 2022
Calling for Abstracts - deadline Midnight 30 September 2022 - details HERE
Registration Open
For more details visit HERE

Topic: Autism Spectrum Disorder in Children born extremely preterm
Presenter:  Dr Crista Wocadlo, Senior clinical Psychologist, PhD Clinical Psychology
Crista is a clinical child psychologist with over 30 years’ experience, having extensive knowledge in caring for families and children following newborn intensive care.  She has substantial knowledge in the assessment and diagnosis of developmental difficulties that can challenge families and children.  Her diagnostic expertise ranges across intellectual, academic, emotional and social domains.   In her practice, Crista has a special interest in understanding learning disorders.  She is passionate about helping children get ready for school entry and assisting families in making positive transitions throughout their child’s school life.
Cost: Free for ACNN members; $20 for non-members
Registration: The Zoom event required registration. Please register HERE to receive logon details. Regisration closes 2 hours prior to commencement time.  Zoom meeting details sent 2hours to 2 days prior to the event. If not received please email eso@acnn.org.au or contact us thru Facebook messenger.  

Date: 15 November 2022
Time: 7-8 pm (Brisbane Time); 8-9 pm AEDST
Programme:  

Does the implementation of a reading library improve family experience whilst in the neonatal unit? Renee Muirhead, Clinical Nurse Consultant, Mater Mother’s Hospital

Hospitalised neonates requiring reinsertion of peripheral intravenous catheters: a case series. Stephanie Hall, Clinical Nurse and NNP Candidate, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital

Queensland Branch Annual General Meeting including Election of the committee for 2023

Date: 27^th October 2022
Time: 19:00-19:45 (AEDT)
Presenter: Dr Peter Barr OAM
Topic: Moral distress and burnout in NICU nurses
Peter will report on his study findings relating to moral distress and burnout in NICU nurses. Moral distress is a phenomenon comprised of compromised care, futile care and untruthful care. Burnout is a phenomenon comprised of demoralisation, exhaustion and loss of motive. Personality shame-proneness predicts burnout, demoralisation and loss of motive.

Topic: Neonatal Encephalopathy
Speakers: Dr Kat Martinello
Date: Thursday 6th October 2022
Venue: Cathedral Hotel: Nth Adelaide
Cost: $50 members & $70 non-members

SA Branch annual dinner and AGM. 

Date: Wednesday 17 August 2022
Time: 7.30 pm start AEST
Free for members
Delving into the paediatric and neonatal extravasation injury field has revealed how under-researched the management strategies are, which creates long-term damage for neonates and children.

Hosted by the Qld branch in collaboration with the Townsville University Hospital Perinatal Research Group Full day seminar, followed by networking dinner Date: Saturday 16 July 2022 from 8 am Venue: Peppers Blue on Blue Resort, Magnetic Island (just off Townsville) Topics include: NAS, Stillbirth and First Nation Families, Using AI to predict neurodevelopmental outcome and more...

Date: Wednesday 25 May 2022

Time: 7.30 pm start (AEST)

Cost: Free for members; $20 for non-members

Date: 14 May 2022
Time: 8.30 am to 4 pm followed by networking event until 5 pm
Venue: Adelaide Convention Centre
Topics: Genetics, ROP, Encephalopathy, Medications and Case Presentations. Please see flyer for full details. 

Topic: Using quality improvement to improve perinatal infant mental health and more
Presenter: Amy Keir, Consultant Neonatologist, Women's and Children's Hospital, University of Adelaide, South Australian Institute of Health and Medical Research (SAHMRI), National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Senior Research Fellowship.
Date: Thursday 12 May
Time: 7.30 - 8.30 pm AEST
Cost: Free for members; $20 for non-members
Registration: Please register to receive zoom logon details. 

Wednesday 4 May 2022 Commencing at 6.30 pm (SA time) Dr Aimee Woods Robinson Research Institute 55 King William Road, Nth Adelaide

Date: Tuesday 29 March
Time: 7 pm start (NSW time); 6.30 pm (SA); 6 pm (Qld)
Cost: Free for members; $20 for non-members
Registration: please register to receive the logon details. 
Abstract: Solid organ transplantation provides life-saving treatment for infants and children with liver and cardiac failure and is the best treatment for end-stage renal disease. While infants form only a very small minority on the active transplant waiting list, they are at a significantly higher risk of mortality, with 31% of infants on the cardiac transplant waiting list dying before receiving a transplant. Furthermore, infants have the highest mortality of all patients on the liver transplant waiting list. The principal reason for this excess mortality is a lack of suitable infant donors. Given that over a third of all paediatric deaths occur in the neonatal period, expanding organ donation in the neonatal population would address this imbalance as well as improving the supply of organs for older children on the transplant waiting list. Speaker details and registration information will be sent as soon as finalised

Topic: “The CoT Study - Learning the Landscape to Lay the Foundations”
Presenter: Philippa Mann
Date: Thursdday 24 March 2022
Time: 7 pm (Sydney Time)
Registration required. 



An overview of The CoT Study - Co-bedding of Twins in the Neonatal Period. This presentation will provide a broad overview of the PhD research project "The CoT Study", and its progression so far.

Bio: Philippa is a Registered Nurse/aCNE at Grace Centre for Newborn Intensive Care. She has completed a Bachelor of Nursing, Graduate Certificate in Neonatal Nursing, and a Master of Nursing (Clinical Leadership), graduating with Distinction and the SONM Deans Medal 2014. Philippa is a current PhD Candidate with Western Sydney University’s School of Nursing and Midwifery. Her thesis is titled “Co-bedding of Twins in the Neonatal Period - A mixed methods study exploring current practice and perceptions in the hospital and home settings” (The CoT Study”). The project is being conducted via three individual phases – a survey of Australian NICU policies and practices; interviews and focus groups with parents of twins, and NICU clinicians; and finally, an Australia-wide survey of families of twins, and clinicians who work with newborn twins, in any setting (not limited to NICU).  

 

Monday 14 February 2022
Time: 6.30 pm start (NSW/VIC); 6 pm (SA); 5.30 pm (Qld)
Presenter: Dr Kathryn Currow, Managing Director, Taking Paediatrics Abroad
Taking Paediatrics Abroad Ltd (TPA) is a charitable organisation founded in 2019 to share expertise from Australian paediatric sub-specialist volunteers to empower dedicated clinicians who treat children and young people with complex health problems. TPA expanded and is now facilitating nurse-lead education sessions in low- and middle-income countries – with approx. 120 telehealth sessions since end of May 2020 and supported the commencement of telemedicine in 2 remote NSW Aboriginal communities. Recently ACNN joined TPA in leading telehealth sessions with nursing/midwifery colleagues in the Solomon Islands, Fiji, Tonga and Vanuatu. This presentation will talk about ethical aspects of this education and present ‘stories’ from these sessions.
Cost: Free for members; $20 for non-members
Registration: Please register to receive the Zoom logon details. Registration closes 2 hours prior to the event commencement time and Zoom link sent between 2 hours and 2 days prior to the event. If you do not receive the Zoom details please email eso@acnn.org.au or contact us via FaceBook Messanger.  

Navigating Lactation Webinar: View online from 15 October 2021 until 31 January 2022.
https://conference.breastfeedingconferences.com.au/index.php

Turning the Tide for Birth and Breastfeeding
Live Conference: Warrnambool, Friday 25 February until Saturday 26 February 2022.

Optional Workshops: Thursday 24 February & Sunday 27 February 2022

Online Webinar: Available from 28 February until 30 June 2022

https://wbc.breastfeedingconferences.com.au/index.php

Bronze Affiliate Benefits
- exclusive affiliate membership rate for all members
- 5% discount on all ACN CPD courses
- 10% discount on ACN endorsement services
- 1 x National Nursing Forum registration

Nominate a colleague NOW!

Monthly “Experiencing Research” presentations via ZOOM - The aim of this initiative is to  facilitate increased awareness of current research, and provide an avenue for neonatal nurses to contribute to neonatal research and clinical practice change.
Next presentation: Thursday 22^nd July @ 7pm AEST
“This is how we roll: a retrospective audit of positioning practices of extremely premature infants in the first 72 hours of life.” - Hannah Skelton

Title: Conflict Competence 
Date: Wednesday 7th July 2021
Time: 7- 8 pm AEST
Presenter: Julie Sorrell, Nurse Researcher at Queensland Health.
Nursing research is the key to unlocking innovative and creative solutions in nursing and associated health professions. Julie’s key achievements include: 
• Establishment of a robust process that ensures that clinical staff use evidence research and identify their research needs.
• Introduced feasibility process and support through systems for evidence-based review/quality improvement/research projects.

Key achievements in Leadership
Development and introduction of the BOOST Leadership development program for emerging nurse leaders.

Date: 6 July 2021
Time: Commencing 7.00 pm AEST
Presenters: Dr Eveline Staub; Dr Sheeja Perumbil and Justine Parsons. 
Topics include: “Standardised feeding protocols decrease complications in VLBW infants”;  ‘Gastric residual aspiration practices: need for an evidence-based clinical practice guideline’ ; "Donor Milk"

Topic: Neuro-critical nursing and supporting the developing brain
Date: 30 June 2021
Time 7.30 - 8.30 pm AEST (Sydney time)
Presenter: Dr Gayatri Jape, Consultant Neonatologist, King Edward Memorial Hospital, Perth. 
Please register to receive Zoom login details

‘Hot Topics in Neonates Workshop’ & Dinner Seminar
Saturday 26 June 2021
Workshop - Logan Hospital, Meadowbrook, 12.30 to 5.15 pm
Dinner seminar - Fitzy’s Hotel, Loganholme, 5.30 – 9 pm.

“Timing of breast expression initiation in mothers of preterm infants: A pilot randomised controlled trial”



Thursday, 20th May 2021, commencing at 7:00 pm AEST REGISTER HERE to receive zoom login details

Presentation overview: Low glucose levels in babies (neonatal hypoglycaemia) are common, and can cause brain injury, but the severity and duration of hypoglycaemia that causes injury is unknown.  Despite this, screening babies at risk and treating those with hypoglycaemia is generally recommended. We will review the pathophysiology of neonatal hypoglycaemia, and the evidence, or lack thereof, for best practice in diagnosis, prevention and treatment. 
Date: Tuesday 20 April 2021
Time: TBC
Cost: Free for members; $20 for non-members

Presenter: Jill Martin, Newborn Family Support Team, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney.

A significant part of my role within that team is in supporting vulnerable families, particularly those with substance use in pregnancy. In 2016 we started the Possum Playgroup to address the loss to follow-up of a significant proportion of these families. It is a “one stop shop’ for families involved in the drugs in pregnancy program, that provides access to a wide range of services and supports on a small budget. The group has been suspended during COVID, but we are working on safe ways to re-open – hopefully soon.

Date: Monday 12 April 2021
Time: 6.30 pm start
Topic: Possum Playgroup
Cost: Free for members; $20 for non-members
Register to receive zoom logon details

When: Thursday 8th April 2021
Time: 7.30 – 8.30 pm
Topic: “Oral feeding our premature babies – not as easy as it seems”
Guest Speaker:  Ms Krystal Furey Speech pathologist NICU, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney
Where: Zoom meeting
Cost: Free for ACNN members; $20 for non-members

Date: Tuesday 30 March 2021
Time: 8 - 9 pm (Sydney time)
Cost: Free for members; $20 for non-members. 
Registration: is required to receive the Zoom logon details (emailed prior to the event).
Presenter: Bronwyn Bernerius RN RM IBCLC CNS Lactation, RPA Newborn Care, RPAH, Sydney

Outline: Mothers of premature or unwell infants face myriad challenges in establishing a full supply of breastmilk. Maintaining their supply of breastmilk stretches that challenge. It can be a long road from birthing a preterm baby to exclusive demand breastfeeding their infant. What advice can we offer to best support the dyad? What is the science to support expressing routines/styles?

This presentation starts with the normal physiology of lactation then explores evidence-based strategies to potentiate success towards exclusive demand breastfeeding in a vulnerable population.

Date: Thursday 25 March 2021
Time: 7pm (Sydney time)
Topic: Retrospective data analysis: A snapshot of time in the past
Presenter: Emre Ilhan, PhD candidate. Emre Ilhan is a physiotherapist and lecturer in the Department of Health Professions at Macquarie University. His PhD is looking at defining chronic pain in infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit using a consensus, prognostic, and statistical approach. Emre has completed his PhD in collaboration with Grace Centre for Newborn Intensive Care, a level 6 surgical NICU in the Children’s Hospital at Westmead.

Date: Sunday 21^st March 2021
Time: 1200hrs – 1830hrs
Where: The Constance, 14-20 Constance Street, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane
Cost: $50 for members; $70 non-members
Registration: will open Tuesday 2nd March and closes 18 March.
All welcome but please be aware that sessions will be at the level for recognition of learning level required for NNP registration.

12th March 2021 - 6.30 - 7.30 pm (NSW time)
Dr Arun Sett, Neonatal fellow MBBS (Hons), CCPU (Neonatal) , The Royal Children’s Hospital, Victoria will present on Lung Ultrasound!!! 
Arun is a Victorian trained neonatologist currently working for PIPER and Joan Kirner's Women's and Children's Hospital. Arun has completed ultrasound training through the Australian Society of Ultrasound in Medicine and has a keen interest in the use of point of care lung ultrasound in the respiratory management in NICU"

Interested in improving neonatal skin care?
Join our SIG and be part of the solutions!

Promoting family centred and developmentally
supportive practices in neonatal units.
Get involved. Join our SIG today!

Looking at a leadership role?
Join the SIG to be part of a group
offering mentorship in this area. 

Another of the new special interest groups of ACNN. Contact the SIG to be involved. 

Ethical Case Study Discussion
Hosted by the Education SIG
Tuesday 10 November 2020
7 – 8.30 pm AEDT

Speakers: •Justine Parsons – Neonatal Nurse Educator & interest in Bioethics
•Dr Janet Green – Neonatal Nurse, Masters in Bioethics, PhD (Caregiving dilemmas)
•Dr Trisha Prentice – Neonatologist, Bioethicist
•Dr Ahmed Mustafa – Neonatology Staff Specialist & interest in Clinical Ethics

Presenter: Prof Denise Harrison       

TITLE: Neonatal Pain Research: Improving pain management during painful procedures 

DATE: October 22^nd 7pm AEST  

Speaker: Mrs Tash Sorensen
Clinical Trial Coordinator for CIRA DIEM trial, Telethon Kids Institute, King Edward Memorial Hospital and
University of Western Australia
Topic:  Circadian care in the NICU: How can we use day and night to assist in preterm infant development?
Time: 7:30-8:30 pm AEST
Cost: Free for members; $20 for non-members. 
Registration: please register to receive the zoom link and passcode. Limited to 90 people. 
Full details available HERE

Thursday, 24 September 2020.
Time: 7 - 7.30 pm
Title: Designing Surveys in Health Research: Not as Simple as It Seems
Speaker: Associate Professor Samudragupta (Sam) Bora, Group Leader, Neurodevelopmental Follow-Up and Outcomes, Mater Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland

Speaker: Mrs Kristin Hughes
Clinical Nurse, the Sunshine Coast University Hospital, Queensland
Topic: The evolution of clinical practice after moving into a new nursery and post the Family and Infant Neurodevelopmental Education Program (FINE) training
Time: 19:30-20:30 AEST
Date: 26 August 2020
Cost: Free for Members; $20 for non-members
Once registered, you will receive zoom details and passcode

Thursday 20 August, 2020

Our first presentation will be given by Jeewan Jyoti who is the currently undertaking the  Grace Clinical Neonatal Nursing Research Fellowship at Grace Centre for Newborn Intensive Care, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, NSW.
Topic: “Are Parents Aware and Involved in their Newborn’s Pain Management in Surgical NICU?”
Cost: Free for members; $20 for non-members. 
Registration: please register to receive the zoom link and passcode. Limited to 90 people. 

Wednesday 20^th May 2020 - POSTPONED
Once Covid-19 situation settles, new details will be posted. 

All ACNN events, including those hosted by branches and SIGs, scheduled between now and 30 June 2020 have been postponed. The National Conference due to be held from 2-4 September, will now take place as a 1 day virtual conference. The 2021 conference will be held in Canberra from 8-10 September.  

Updated guidelines by SANDA, released in 2019. Section 3. Respectful and supportive perinatal bereavement care. Endorsed by ACNN.