Conference Program
2026
ACCYPN 2026 Conference “Future proofing children and young people’s health”
Wednesday 30 Sept 2026
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Wednesday, 30th September 2026 | Pre-Conference Events |
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0900 - 1230 |
ACCYPN Standards of Practice Workshop for Children and Young People’s nurses; validation workshop.
Facilitated by: Dr Pam O’Nions, Dr Sally Wilson, Melisa Young and Dr Jo Zhou Registration required - Free to all participants CLICK HERE for more information and registration |
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1300 - 1630 |
Pre Conference Masterclasses CLICK HERE for more information and registration |
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World Café Planetary Health Facilitated by: Professor Maria Mackay |
Youth psychological Assessment Facilitated by: Charley Brunton & Charlie Bowes |
Writing for Publication & Becoming a Peer Reviewer Facilitated by: A/Professor Elizabeth Foster and Professor Ally Hutton |
Milk Matters Facilitated by: Dr Sharon Perella |
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Afternoon tea sponsored by: Nurses and Midwives Health
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1630 - 1730 |
Registration - HELP Lounge Level 1, West Building |
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Thursday 1 October 2026
Conference Day 1
Welcome Reception / Dinner
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Thursday, 1st October 2026 | Conference Day 1 |
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0730 - 0830 |
Registration - HELP Foyer Level 1, West Building |
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0830-1000 |
Plenary 1 CLICK HERE for Speaker profiles and presentation details |
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0830 - 0900 |
Opening Ceremony Conference Welcome: Jacquie Burton, Chairperson ACCYPN, Chairperson Conference Committee Welcome to Country: Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation |
Ella Latham |
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0900 - 0915 |
Opening Address: ACCYPN Patron Kate Ellis, CEO of Raising Literacy Australia |
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0915 - 0930 |
Welcome to The Royal Children’s Hospital – Adjunct Professor Kath Riddell, Executive Director Nursing Services and Chief Nursing Officer |
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0930 -1000 |
Invited Speaker: Tracy Beaton, Principal Commissioner for Children and Young People, Victoria |
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1030 - 1100 |
Morning tea and trade displays - HELP Lounge Level 1 West Building |
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1100 - 1230 |
Plenary 2 CLICK HERE for Speaker Profiles and presentation details |
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1100 - 1145 |
Keynote speaker – Our People Astrid Tiefholz, RN, RM, Credentialled Mental Health Nurse, Lactation Consultant. Federal Vice President, ANMF Works as the Tasmania Clinical Nurse Navigator in a national Perinatal Infant Mental Health (PIMH) Program
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Ella Latham |
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1145 - 1230 |
Keynote Speaker - Our Practice Changing Trajectories: How Paediatric Nurses Shape Possibilities for Children Children's futures are shaped by countless interactions, relationships, and opportunities throughout childhood. In an increasingly uncertain world, marked by workforce pressures, economic challenges, and growing complexity across health systems, supporting children and families has never been more important. Paediatric nurses are uniquely positioned to influence children's developmental, health and life trajectories, often at pivotal moments for children and families. Regardless of practice setting, paediatric nurses help shape trajectories in ways that extend far beyond the immediate episode of care. This keynote explores the enduring influence of paediatric nursing through the lens of child development, inviting reflection on the ways nurses shape possibilities for children and families, often in ways that go unseen. Alicia Bell - NP, Senior Lecturer, Flinders University, South Australia |
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1230 - 1315 |
Lunch and trade displays - HELP Lounge Level 1 West Building Poster Presentations |
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1315 - 1345 |
ACCYPN AGM Chaired by Jacquie Burton ACCYPN Chairperson and Dr Pam O’Nions Company Secretary The ACCYPN Annual General Meeting provides members with an opportunity to reflect on the College’s achievements over the past year and to contribute to our future direction. The session will include reports from the Board, updates on key projects including the Standards of Practice revision, financial performance, governance priorities, and strategic initiatives supporting credentialing and professional recognition for child and youth nurses. Members will have the opportunity to ask questions, provide feedback, and participate in formal decision‑making to ensure the College continues to demonstrate strong governance, sustainability, and leadership in children and young people’s health. |
Ella Latham |
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1345 - 1415 |
Invited Speaker: Our practice – Immunisation Update Jessica Collard, NP Candidate, Immunisation Service, The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne |
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Room Change Break - 5 minutes |
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1420 - 1535 |
Concurrent session 1 CLICK HERE for abstract and presenter details |
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Stream 1: Our People |
Stream 2: Our Practice |
Stream 3: Our Practice |
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ELLA LATHAM |
VERNON COLLINS |
ROOM 1.055 |
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1420 - 1435 |
"Leading All the Time—But It’s Not Measured”: Making CNC Work Visible in Paediatric Care Marilyn Cruickshank, University of Technology Sydney, NSW |
Characteristics of Paediatric Recognition and Response Observation Tool components 24 hours before unplanned Intensive Care Unit admissions at a children’s hospital in Western Australia: A 3-year retrospective cohort study Dr Huaqiong Zhou (Jo), Curtin University, Perth Children's Hospital, WA |
Lost in the Lifespan: Integrating Paediatric Nursing to Build a Workforce Ready to Care for Children Melisa Young, Curtin University, WA |
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1435 - 1450 |
“Little kids are like magic" - Exploring Influence and Entry into Paediatric Nursing with Undergraduate Nursing Students Julieann Browning, University of Tasmania, Tasmania |
Developmental Care Round for Infants with Congenital Heart Disease in the Intensive Care Unit. Jacquie Burton, The Royal Children’s Hospital, Victoria |
Future Proofing Children and Young People’s Health by Building Capability at the Frontline: Implementing a Work-Integrated Postgraduate Paediatric Emergency Nursing Program in a Tertiary Paediatric Emergency Department. Merilyn Waters, Perth Children's Hospital, WA |
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1450 -1505 |
Burnout and workplace satisfaction in the Child and Family Health Workforce – looking to the future Jessica Appleton, University of Technology Sydney, NSW |
From Data to Action: Reducing CLABSI in a Paediatric Oncology Ward Laura Elkerton, The Royal Children's Hospital, Victoria |
Building the Future Paediatric Workforce: Supporting Nursing Students’ Readiness for Placement and Practice Tegan Budd, Flinders University, SA |
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1505 - 1520 |
Nursing Workforce Dashboards: Transforming Data into Strategic Oversight. Belinda Bourne. The Royal Children's Hospital, Victoria |
Clonidine pre-boarding, the ticket to sedation success Sarah Navarria, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne |
A different front door: Future-proofing children’s developmental outcomes through a Nurse Practitioner-led model of early access and care navigation. Stephanie Dowden, Nurseprac Australia; Just Kids Health; Edith Cowan University |
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1520 - 1535 |
Practice without Pressure: AI Personas to Build Confidence in 1st Year Registered Nurses Tara Wiese and Joanne Eldridge, Sydney Children's Hospital Network, NSW |
Re-imagining pain communication with children and young people: co-designed tools for clinical practice Kiara Corso, University of the Arts London |
A sleeping giant: What fifty years of literature tells us about the potential of nursing work in Australian schools Dr Anita Moyes, Edith Cowan University, WA |
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1535 - 1600 |
Afternoon tea and trade display - HELP Lounge Level 1 West Building |
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1600-1620 |
Rapid Fire Sessions (3 minutes) CLICK HERE for abstract and presenter details |
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1600-1620 |
Transforming PKU Clinics: Empowering Adolescents Mia Aaron, The Royal Children's Hospital, Victoria |
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Paediatric Nursing – It’s as easy as ABCd Nicole Mangion, Sydney Children’s Hospital Network, NSW |
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Improving paediatric inpatient nurses’ confidence in recognising and responding to medical emergencies through simulated MET calls Crystal Henderson, Children’s Health Queensland, Queensland |
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Nursing Leadership in Integrated ADHD Care: A Community Paediatrics Model Jessica Porter, Sydney Local Health District, NSW |
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A Principle Based Concept Analysis of Child and Family Centred Care Maggie Zgambo, Edith Cowan University, WA |
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1620-1725 |
Workforce Panel CLICK HERE for panelist profiles and session details |
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1620 - 1725 |
Panel Discussion - Our Practice/People Session Moderator: Tegan Budd This panel invites industry leaders and academics to interrogate why children and young people’s nursing warrants recognition as a specialty, exploring the advanced clinical judgement and advocacy skills that shape safe, developmentally attuned care. Panelists will examine gaps in current recognition across health services and prompt participants to consider how workplaces might better require, value, and reward specialist qualifications to strengthen workforce sustainability and outcomes for children and families.
Guest Speakers: Adjunct Professor Kath Riddell - EDON RCH A/Prof Debbie Long - Professor of Paediatric Nursing, QUT Catherine Marron - Nursing Director, Children’s Health Queensland Alicia Bell – Nurse practitioner, Senior Lecturer, Flinders University Hospital and Health Service Rural and Remote - TBC Early Career PG Paediatric Nurse - TBC Consumer - TBC |
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1725 - 1730 |
Day 1 Wrap Up |
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1800 - 2100 |
Conference Dinner - Farmacy, 48 Flemington Rd, Parkville |
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Friday 2 October 2026
Conference Day 2
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Friday, 2nd October 2026 |Conference Day 2 |
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0730 - 0830 |
Registration - HELP Foyer Level 1, West Building |
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0830-1000 |
Plenary 3 CLICK HERE for Speaker Profiles and Presentation Details |
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0830 - 0850 |
Day 2 Welcome |
Ella Latham |
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0850 - 0930 |
Wayapa Wuurk Workshop Professor Maria Mackay, Certified Wayapa Wuurrk Practitioner Wayapa Wuurrk is an Indigenous informed, earth based practice that supports wellbeing and planetary health through connection to Mother Earth. Wayapa Wuurrk is open to all people and honours our shared identity as Earth people, fostering balance, presence, and care for self, others, and Country. |
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0930 - 1000 |
Keynote Speaker: Our planet Future proofing children and young people’s nursing: caring for our planet to protect future generations Professor Tracy Moroney OAM The health of children and young people is inextricably linked to the health of the planet. Climate change, environmental degradation and biodiversity loss are no longer future threats—they are shaping the health, wellbeing and developmental outcomes of children today. This keynote will challenge nurses to see planetary stewardship as part of their professional identity. |
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1000 - 1030 |
Morning tea - HELP Lounge, Level 1, West Building |
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1030-1125 |
Panel Discussion – Planetary Health CLICK HERE for panelist details |
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1030 - 1125 |
Panel discussion – Our Planet Session moderator: Melisa Young
Panelists Professor Tracey Moroney - Leadership and Education Professor Maria Mackay - Culture Dr. Sharon Perella - Lactation Researcher Francesca Stanford - Sustainability, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne |
Ella Latham |
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Room Change Break - 5 minutes |
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1130 - 1230 |
Concurrent Session 2 CLICK HERE for abstract and presenter details |
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Stream 4: Our Practice |
Stream 5: Our Practice |
Stream 6: Our Practice |
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ELLA LATHAM |
VERNON COLLINS |
ROOM 1.055 |
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11.30 - 1145 |
What is the potential role of practice nurses in adolescent preventive health assessments? A qualitative descriptive study. Sara L Newton, The University of Melbourne, Victoria |
Finding Meaning in the Mess: Spirituality in Times of Suffering Heather So, The University of Sydney, NSW |
Unlocking Potential: Expanding Nurse Practitioner Roles in Early Childhood Developmental Care Alicia Bell, Flinders University. SA |
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1145 - 1200 |
The Care-Giving Experiences and Support Needs of Neurodivergent Parents Dr Catina Adams, La Trobe University, Victoria |
Unheard voices: Children and young people’s perspectives on medical procedures Sage Hay, The Royal Children’s Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Victoria |
Optimising Care, Empowering Nurses: A Co-Design Model for Workforce Planning in New Hospital Infrastructure Claire Lake, Sydney Children’s Hospital Network, NSW |
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1200 - 1215 |
Autonomous Nurse‑Led Weaning of High‑Flow Nasal Cannula Therapy: An Evolving Model of Paediatric Care in Regional settings Michelle Elks, Sunshine Coast Health, University of the Sunshine Coast |
Making Visible the Lived Experience: Transforming Emergency Department Care for Autistic Children and Their Families Elly Greenwood, Latrobe University, Victoria |
“Teams That Learn”: Future-proofing the Paediatric Workforce by Strengthening Team Culture in a Learning Health System Danica Van Den Dungen, The Royal Children’s Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Victoria |
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1215 - 1230 |
Rural nurse’s emergency care of paediatric presentations: are they supported? Lee O’Malley, Griffith University, Queensland |
Exploring NICU Fathers' Experiences and Supporting their Mental Health and Wellbeing A/Prof Esther Adama, Federation University, Victoria |
Positioning Fathers for the Future: Strengthening Inclusion and Support in Child Health Nursing Services Bree Burke - Edith Cowan University, WA |
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1230 - 1315 |
Lunch and Trade Displays - HELP Lounge Level 1 West Building Poster Presentations |
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1315 - 1415 |
Concurrent Sessions 3 CLICK HERE for abstract and presenter details
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Stream 8: Our People |
Stream 7: Our People |
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ELLA LATHAM |
VERON COLLINS |
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1315 - 1330 |
Digitally Integrated Antenatal Model of Care (Connected Maternity Care): Maternal and Neonatal Health Outcomes Brooke Schneider, Joondalup Health Campus, WA |
“You have to be more careful”: Invisible Barriers, Gendered Scrutiny and Boundary Negotiation Among Male Paediatric Nurses. Eryn Fullard, Monash University, Victoria |
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1330 - 1345 |
Colourfully Wired: Behaviours of Concerns with an innovative wraparound approach Hannah Turner, The Royal Children’s Hospital, Victoria |
Registered nurses’ experiences and perspectives of practicing trauma-informed care in Australian adolescent mental health inpatient units: A qualitative study Juna Joy, Western Sydney University, NSW |
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1345 - 1400 |
Connecting2u: Reimagining Efficient Models of Care to Improve Families Health Literacy and Support Child Centred Care Alanna Philipson, Children’s Health Queensland, Queensland |
Lived experiences of Immigrant Indian adolescents: Is their well being future proofed? Soumya Joseph, Western Sydney University, NSW |
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1400 - 1415 |
Future-proofing children’s health: Reframing children’s health through a Paediatric Nurse Practitioner workforce focused on ongoing care and parenting support. Stephanie Dowden, NursePrac Australia (Just Kids Health), Edith Cowan University, WA |
Digital technology use and mental wellbeing in young children: Baseline findings from a large national longitudinal study in Australia Maggie Zgambo, Edith Cowan University, WA |
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Room Change Break - 5 minutes |
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1420-1510 |
Plenary 4 |
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1420 - 1500 |
Invited Speaker: The future is bright
RN Prescribing Di Crellin - NP, Emergency Department, RCH Senior Lecturer, Melbourne Uni
NP Pathways Jessica Collard - Immunisation Lilly / Sonya - MCHN Alicia Bell- Child Dev |
Ella Latham |
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1500 - 1510
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Conference Close: Prize Winners 2028 Conference Announcement |
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1510 |
Farewell afternoon tea |
Venue TBC |
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