Plenary 2

Keynote Speaker - Our Practice

Changing Trajectories: How Paediatric Nurses Shape Possibilities for Children

Alicia Bell is an endorsed Nurse Practitioner and Senior Lecturer in Nursing, with clinical and research expertise in paediatrics and early childhood developmental health. She is currently undertaking a PhD examining innovative nurse practitioner–led models of developmental screening and assessment to improve timely access to care for children. Her work focuses on optimising advanced nursing scope, strengthening workforce capacity, and redesigning services across community and primary care settings. Alicia is committed to equity‑focused, family‑centred care and advancing the role of nurses and nurse practitioners to support the delivery of sustainable, future‑proofed care for children and families.

Alicia Bell - NP, Senior Lecturer, Flinders University, South Australia

Alicia is a Paediatric Nurse Practitioner, Senior Lecturer at Flinders University, and mum to three boys. With over 20 years’ experience across neurology, rehab, and rural nursing, she spent 14 years in Paediatric Emergency and was South Australia’s first Nurse Practitioner in the field. In 2020, she moved into primary health care and developmental screening, focusing on supporting families through the health system. Alicia holds a Graduate Diploma in Emergency Nursing and a Master of Nurse Practitioner, and is currently undertaking a PhD exploring the role of Nurse Practitioners in child development.