Awards, Scholarships & Recognition Program
This is an important initiative of the Australian College of Nurse Practitioners as we recognise outstanding service of Nurse Practitioners and Advanced Practice Nurses.
All Awards and Scholarships recognise the invaluable work Nurse Practitioners and Advanced Practice Nurses contribute to the Australian community ensuring effective, innovative and efficient care of an individual’s health issues in a complex and constantly changing environment.
As a College we strongly encourage applications from across the country, in relation to all types of roles and specialties. Please check the guidelines., and consider who you may wish to nominate, or whether you could nominate yourself!
All applicants need to complete the Nomination Form in conjunction with Award/Scholarship specific requirements.
Please email completed application forms to Bernie McPhee at membership@acnp.org.au
Time Frames
(unless otherwise specified on a particular award or scholarship)
|
May |
Nominations Open |
|
June |
Nominations Close |
|
July |
Awards & Recognition Committee Review |
|
August |
Winners Notified |
|
September |
Formal Announcement at the National Conference Gala Dinner |
The Scholarships
Heather May Herrick Scholarship Program
2019 Recipients
Congratulations to the following Recipients of the first Heather May Herrick Scholarships.
- Amor Kisling
- Elizabeth Hristov
- Fiona Gillaners
- Khera Kim
- Kylie Cross
- Melanie Press
- Melissa Hanson
- Monica Attard
- Robyne Hingley
- Sue McDonald
Awardees with Stephen Herrick (Centre) and Andrew Herrick (Right)
The scholarship is named in memory of Heather May Herrick. This scholarship is in conjunction with the Australian College of Perioperative Nurses (ACORN)
Heather received outstanding care, including palliative care and pain management from a Nurse Practitioner which made a huge difference to Heather and her family. After a long battle with cancer pain, thanks to a Nurse Practitioner, her last 2 months of life were comfortable.
In appreciation for the unique role of the Nurse Practitioner in Australia and the outstanding work that they do, Heather’s family has funded a scholarship program aimed at supporting more Nurse Practitioners and Advanced Practice Nurses to deliver services to people like Heather.
Prize: 10 Scholarships are to be awarded each year over 5 years. Attendance at the Conference (September) in the same year of application/award is required for the scholarship to be granted. Therefore each Scholarship will consist of $1,000 towards ACNP conference registration and travel fees associated with attending the conference. This Scholarship is to assist with Registration and Travel costs to the ACNP National Conference.
Jane O'Connell Research Scholarship
2019 Recipients
Congratulations to the combined winners; Kathy Tori, Tash Jennings & Gainne Lowe.
Helen Gosby (left) presenting the Award to Kathy Tori (Centre) and Tash Jennings (right)
The Jane O’Connell Research Scholarship has been established by Dr Jann Foster in partnership with the Australian College of Nurse Practitioners and honours the contribution of Dr Jane O’Connell to the development of the nurse practitioner role in Australia.
Jane O’Connell has an extensive background in Emergency Nursing that saw her become one of the first Nurse Practitioners in Australia. She has extensive experience in teaching health staff, policy work and her PhD explored the parameters of practice of Emergency Nurse Practitioners across Australia. A major outcome was the development of clinical practice standards for ENPs. The College is pleased to continue its acknowledgement of Jane’s outstanding contribution to the Australian Health service and specifically the essential role of the Nurse Practitioner.
Prize: The prize is $5,000 for one individual.
QUT ACNP Conference Student Scholarship
2019 Recipient
Congratulations to Rebecca Evans
Recipient Rebecca Evans (left) with ACNP President Leanne Boase
Reflection from Rebecca Evans – Recipient of 2019 QUT/ACNP Conference Student Scholarship
The scholarship has been established in conjunction with Queensland University Technology (QUT) to provide the opportunity of a Nurse Practitioner Candidate or Advanced Practice Nurse working in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and/or Nurse working in a Rural and Remote area.
In appreciation for the unique role of the Nurse Practitioner in Australia and the outstanding work that they do, QUT has funded a scholarship program aimed at supporting more Nurse Practitioner Candidates and Advanced Practice Nurses to deliver, with the following priorities:
- Nurse working in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
- Nurse working in a Rural and Remote area
This scholarship program that will run from 1st March 2019 to 5th September 2019.
Prize: The scholarship will consist of $1,500 towards ACNP conference registration and travel fees associated with attending the conference. Attendance at the Conference (September) in the same year of application/award is required for the scholarship to be granted. One scholarship will be awarded each year
Ollie Scholarship
2019 Recipients
Congratulations to Giuliana Murfett
Co sponsored by 
Giuliana was one of the first Nurse Practitioners endorsed to practice in Tasmania. She has extensive diabetes experience including leadership and advisory roles nationally. Key works includes: Retrospective Diabetes in Pregnancy Outcome Study; Assessment and Management of Obesity and Self-maintenance Study; A competency-based approach to expanding the diabetes healthcare workforce (current PhD). The Ollie Nurse Practitioner Scholarship supports attendance to the 11th International Council of Nurses’ NP/APN Nursing Network Conference in Nova Scotia in 2020.
This scholarship is named in memory of Olwyn (Ollie) Johnson who was appointed as the first Nurse Practitioner in NSW in May 2001. Ollie was the first Nurse Practitioner approved to work in a remote area of far west NSW and recognised for her specialities in rural and remote health care. A pioneer, Ms Johnston paved the way for Nurse Practitioners nationally. She found a setting to learn beyond the norm and had to think creatively to meet her client’s health needs. Through her passion for the area she developed a deep sense of commitment to rural and remote health.
Prize: The prize is $5,000 and may be provided to one individual.
The Ollie Scholarship is offered in collaboration with the Australian College of Nursing (ACN)
The Awards
Nurse Practitioner Mentor of the Year
2019 Recipients
Congratulations the 2019 winner to Nikki Johnston OAM.
Murray Sneesby (2018 winner, left) with Nikki Johnston OAM (right).
This award is Sponsored by the Australian Medicines Handbook (AMH)
The awardee will have demonstrated excellence in Mentorship.
1. Be registered with AHPRA as a Registered Nurse with NP endorsement and be working as a NPAdditional Eligibility Criteria
2. Demonstrate a commitment to the education of others
3. Have acted as a positive professional role model over the course of their career
4. Be engaged in a formalised mentorship role for sharing professional NP skills or Advanced Practice Skills with others
Prize:
- The awardee will be granted 12 months membership of ACNP.
- Complimentary registration at ACNP National Conference including Conference Dinner.
- Recognition award or certificate.
- Presentation at Awards presentation event.
- AMH resources for mentor and student to the value of $500
Nurse Practitioner of the Year
2019 Recipients
Congratulations to Chris Helms.
Recipient Chris Helms (right) with 2018 recipient Tash Jennings (left)
The awardee will have demonstrated outstanding qualities in the areas of clinical work, mentoring and leadership
Additional Eligibility Criteria
1. Be registered with AHPRA as a Registered Nurse with NP endorsement and be working as a NP
2. Excellence in clinical care and patient outcomes
3. Evidence of mentoring and professional leadership to others in the clinical team, and within their professional networks
4. Evidence of participation in research or quality improvement
5. Other attributes contributing to the worthiness of the award being bestowed
Prize: The awardee will be granted 12 months membership of ACNP.
Quality Use of Medicines
This award is Sponsored by Mundipharma
2019 Recipients
Congratulations to Amor Kisling
Amore Kisling with Rebecca Wiseman, representing Mundipharma.
The awardee will have demonstrated a pharmacological excellence in pain management
Additional Eligibility Criteria
1. Be registered with AHPRA as a Registered Nurse with NP endorsement and be working as an NP
2. Excellence in clinical care and patient outcomes
3. Overview of how quality use of medicines has enhanced health outcomes for patients with pain
4. How the NP has:
a. Optimised the overall health and wellbeing of the patient(s)
b. Improved the patient’s experience
c. Contributed to advocacy on behalf of the patient(s)
d. Promoted quality use of medicines in clinical practice, services or systems
Prize: The awardee will be granted 12 months membership of ACNP.
Innovation in Business Award
2019 Recipients
Congratulations to Sian Pritchard
Winner Sian with Adrian Bank First Business Development Manager.
The awardee will have demonstrated innovation in health management systems, administration and/or service provision. Innovation is defined as the multi-stage process whereby organisations transform ideas into new/improved products, service or processes, to advance, compete and differentiate themselves successfully in their marketplace
Additional Eligibility Criteria
1. Be registered with AHPRA as a Registered Nurse with NP endorsement and be working as a NP
2. Outcomes of established infrastructure and required improvement
3. Must be able to demonstrate how the innovation has improved clinical care and patient outcomes
4. Provide overview of challenges and make recommendations for innovative approaches to enhancing patient care; re: access to leading healthcare service.
Prize: $2,000 towards business and leadership development.
Donna Diers Oration
The Donna Diers Oration demonstrates excellence within the profession and the oration should be significant to other Nurse Practitioners and Advanced Practice Nurses. The Oration honours Donna Diers, in recognition of the support, leadership and friendship shown by her to the Australian College of Nurse Practitioners and the NP profession. Each year a Nurse Practitioner is provided with the opportunity to present a lecture on a topic of their choice. In 2109 the Oration was presented by Nikki Johnston OAM. Nikki was selected as her achievements, including your research and demonstrate excellence would inspire attendees at the conference.
Nikki delivering her oration
