2026 Nursing Research and Clinical Innovations Symposium
We are pleased to announce that the 12th annual Nursing Research and Clinical Innovations Symposium will be held on November 19th, 2026.
This is a hybrid event, held at The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne and via Teams.
2026 Program
Nursing Research and Clinical Innovations Program
Symposium registration
Registrations via Trybooking
Keynote Speaker
Professor Helen Petsky, Head of Nursing and Midwifery,
College of Healthcare Science, James Cook University
Listening, learning and leading: A nursing
journey towards improving First Nations respiratory health
Thursday 19th November, 13.00-14.00
| Professor Helen Petsky is a leading Australian respiratory nurse whose work focuses on improving health outcomes for children and communities experiencing disproportionate burdens of chronic lung disease. As a clinician–researcher, she has built a distinguished career advancing evidence. Helen worked clinically as a paediatric nurse for 16 years in various roles for Queensland Health. She is currently the Head of Nursing and Midwifery, James Cook University and based in Cairns. A major driving force behind her work is her desire to improve First Nations respiratory health. Professor Petsky collaborates closely with First Nations communities, clinicians, and researchers to codesign studies that reflect community priorities and lead to meaningful, lasting change. Her projects focus not only on clinical outcomes but also on strengthening local capacity and ensuring that culturally safe care is at the centre of every intervention. Her contributions continue to shape national and international guidelines and strengthen the evidence base for culturally responsive respiratory care across Australia.
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2025 Nursing Research and Clinical Innovations Symposium
On Thursday 23 October, the 11th annual Nursing Research and Clinical Innovations Symposium brought together clinicians, researchers, and students to celebrate the ingenuity and clinical excellence of nurses in paediatric healthcare.
Prize winners
People’s Choice Awards
- Poster: Maria Aaron, RCH – Transforming PKU Clinics: Empowering
Adolescents
- Rapid Round: Jessica Appleyard, RCH, MCRI, La Trobe University –
Characterising sibling presence in PICU: A Point Prevalence Survey
- Oral Presentation: Nicole Varman, Albury Wodonga Health – Can we PATCH
it?
First Prize Awards
- Poster: Laura Shanahan & Rachel Wilkinson, Austin Health –
Minimising distress for paediatric patients during procedures
- Rapid Round: Rachel Geerling, RCH – Understanding the management of
painful procedures on the Cockatoo Ward
- Oral Presentation: Ingrid Sutherland, RCH, MCRI, Melbourne Academic
Centre for Health – Not routine parental care: Respite care for children with
complex disabilities