'Nurses in the Vines' & 'Babies in the Bush'

Rydges Resort Hunter Valley in Lovedale

Preliminary programmes below. Subject to change and some speaker details to be confirmed. Downloadable programme coming soon.

Discounted accommodation and car parking rates available to delegates - details below and on the booking page. 

Day 1: Thursday 25th September 2025
'Nurses in the Vines' Professional Development Day 
Session highlights include:
3-hour Navigating Challenging Communication Workshop - limited to 40 participants.  
This workshop equips nurses with essential skills and strategies to manage difficult conversations effectively. Participants will explore common challenging communication scenarios, such as high-stress interactions with patients, families, and colleagues, and learn techniques to handle these situations with empathy, assertiveness, and clarity. Participants will learn how to apply structured communication frameworks to facilitate clear, respectful dialogue in critical moments. Additionally, the workshop emphasises emotional intelligence and self-awareness, helping participants stay composed under pressure and build trust within their teams. By fostering a culture of psychological safety, participants will leave with the tools needed to promote open, constructive communication and enhance team dynamics in their healthcare environments.

Developing a professional portfolio with reflective practice for nurses
This presentation will guide nurses in developing a professional portfolio that not only showcases their skills, competencies, and achievements but also highlights their commitment to growth through reflective practice. Participants will learn the importance of a well-organised portfolio as a tool for career advancement, as well as the essential components it should include—such as clinical skills documentation, certifications, and continuing education. The presentation will emphasize reflective practice as a key element, allowing nurses to demonstrate critical thinking, self-awareness, and the lessons learned from their experiences. By the end, participants will be equipped to create a dynamic portfolio that captures their professional journey and supports their ongoing development in nursing.

Presenter for the above sessions
Jennifer Harland is the Director of the Institute of Leadership at the Australian College of Nursing. With four decades of healthcare experience, Jennifer has excelled in clinical, academic, policy, and leadership roles across both government and non-government organisations in NSW, SA, and the ACT. As an ASSIST Master Trainer and the President of the Drug and Alcohol Nurses of Australasia (DANA), Jennifer is a passionate advocate for education and training. Jennifer holds a Master of Science in Addiction, a Master of Arts in Applied Ethics, and Post Graduate Certificates in Mental Health, Intensive Care, Higher Education, and Emergency & Disaster Management. Her extensive expertise and dedication make her a respected leader and mentor in nursing.

Neonatal Standards Version 5 release + companion toolkit
This session will provide an overview of these Standards for Practice specifically for registered nurses and/or registered midwives who work in a clinical or non-clinical capacity in contributing to the care of neonates and their families within inpatient and post-discharge contexts. The standards inform professional practice, professional development and capability for all neonatal nurses in the provision of safe, high quality clinical care and are inclusive of, but not limited to, direct clinical care, education, leadership, management and research. Each standard includes criteria that aid individual neonatal nurses in identifying and developing their scope of practice in the context of current roles and responsibilities. This session will also present the use of a Holistic Assessment Tool as an approach to assessing nurse knowledge and performance involving observing the neonatal nurse's overall role performance. This includes observing and assessing their communication, ethics, technical skills, cultural awareness, attitudes, knowledge, professional behaviors, clinical decision making, and critical thinking.

Day 1: Thursday 25th September 2025

Day 2: Friday 26th September 2025

Registration and Prices
When completing the registration form please complete your details, dietary requirement, place of work and then SELECT THE DAY/S YOU ARE ATTENDING AS A MEMBER OR NON-MEMBER - BEFORE entering your payment details. 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER 

Check out other 2025 Events under the events tab.