The 4th Australian Nurse Practitioner conference was hosted in Melbourne's Telstra Dome from the 26-28 October 2008. This conference marks an historic moment for our organisation as on Day 1 we were known as ANPA and on Day 2 we became ACNP! Our national executive changed and Helen Gosby was welcomed as the first president of the newly formed Australian College of Nurse Practitioners.

Approximately 320 registrants attended the conference from Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Cameroon, Philippines and the United States. Our key note speakers set the scene with Madrean Schober giving a wonderful global account of the development of the nurse practitioner role followed by Donald MacLellan who in a witty paper focusing on the medical / nursing relationship over the centuries to present time reinforced that improved patient outcomes are essential to our roles.

Both speakers reiterated the importance of the conference theme “Nurse Practitioners: A solution for the future”. Two of our guest speakers Anne Gardener and Sandra Dunn, who are well known to all of us, provided updates on the important work they are undertaking. Belinda Moyse delivered a thought provoking paper on future service delivery and the role of nurse practitioners and other health care providers. Our last invited speaker, Trisha Dunning, ran an inspirational workshop on the importance of writing a quality abstract. All who attended Trisha's workshop learnt valuable tips on how to improve on abstract submissions.

The Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon addressed delegates for 30 minutes focusing on nurse practitioner role development in Australia. This was followed by the announcement that the government will fund Nurse practitioner scholarships of up to $15,000 per annum for 2 years, targeted specifically at nurses in rural and remote areas will be provided for up to 20 nurses to upgrade their skills to practice as nurse practitioners. Finally, Minister Roxon responded to a number of delegate questions.

The concurrent sessions included papers covering a range of topics such as role promotion, research and education. The standard of the papers continues to grow, which is clear evidence of the ever-increasing levels of professionalism and scholarship amongst nurse practitioners. Awards for best rural/metropolitan papers (2) and best poster (1) were sponsored by Department of Human Services-Victoria and announced at the conclusion of the program. The winners for the best paper/poster awards were:

Best Metropolitan Paper
Vanessa Clothier "Hello...Is there anybody out there? Role isolation and nurse practitioners?"

Best Rural Paper
Jennifer Furness "Do we follow quality use medicines principles? A study preparing local practice with current research."

Best Poster
Diane Williams "One for the boys"

A new initiative was introduced for those displaying posters. The presenters were provided with the opportunity to discuss their posters, divided into concurrent sessions
and given 6minutes presentation time. Both presenters and those attending the sessions provided positive feedback for those sessions.

The AGM was attended by a record number of members this was attributed to it being held on the first day rather than on the last day of the conference. It was where the historic name change from ANPA to the formation of the Australian College of Nurse Practitioners was voted and passed!

Finally, a definite social highlight, was the conference dinner sponsored by the Nurses Board of Victoria and with a racing theme to celebrate the spring racing carnival. Most dressed to impress and embraced the theme with hats, fascinators, and feather boas adding to the colour of the occasion. A few displayed their creative side with additions to hats (look closely at Elissa's hat) and the three jockeys who spent time chasing the stallion with a whip!

Alas the conference ended all too soon with many complimenting the organising committee on an excellent and thought provoking scientific program. The 5th conference titled Nurse Practitioners: Bridging the gap in healthcare” is to be held in Sydney at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre on the 28-30 October 2009 www.cdesign.com.au/anpa2009 and promises to yet again raise the bar for nurse practitioners in Australia.

Anna Green, Chair of ANPA VIC-chapter