COURSE: Weight Management
The Weight Management Course, specifically designed for Australian clinical practitioners, focuses on addressing weight management and bariatric services. This course is modelled after the program established by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and consists of nine sequential modules. These modules cover various aspects of weight management including obesity trends, bias & stigma, pathophysiology, evaluation & diagnosis, pillars of weight loss, bariatric surgery, motivational interviewing, practice management, paediatric weight loss, and addressing unique challenges in 1st nation and disadvantaged communities.
Authored by practicing Nurse Practitioners and supported by the Australian College of Nurse Practitioners, this course seamlessly integrates theoretical knowledge with practical insights. It ensures a comprehensive understanding of weight management principles. Successful completion of each module is a prerequisite for progression, providing participants with a structured and cohesive learning experience.
Special thanks to
The ACNP recognises the work of Catherine Smith and Christopher O’Donnell who have been instrumental in the development of this course. Their ideas and insights were instrumental in shaping this course into something that will lead the way for obesity care for Nurse Practitioners and Advanced Practice Nurses in Australia.
Novo Nordisk: Their generous grant made this initiative possible. While we acknowledge their support, ACNP operates independently and is committed to empowering NPs through education.
NOTE: enrolment in each subsequent module is dependent on all previous Weight Management modules being successfully completed.
Module Presenters
Catherine Smith is a Nurse Practitioner who runs a holistic weight loss clinic in Brisbane and who has worked within the obesity sector for over 10 years working in intensive care and perioperative areas. Additionally, she has many years experience as a nurse educator. For the past 25 years, Catherine has been a registered nurse, becoming an endorsed Nurse Practitioner in 2012. Currently, she works as a perioperative nurse surgical assistant with general, gynaecology, and bariatric surgeons. Over the past several years, Catherine has served on nursing association committees, including the Obesity Map of Medicine redevelopment working group.
From 2018 to 2023 Catherine was the ACNP Treasurer guiding the College to a strong financial position for the future, while contributing to the Royal Commission into Aged Care and other works of the College.
Jason Moloney is an experienced Nurse Practitioner with over 20 years of experience in healthcare. He has worked extensively in Primary Health and Emergency. He is passionate about the patient's journey and ensures that a strong partnership is created to assist you in achieving your health goals. Jason has been a member of the ACNP since 2019 and has recently focused on working in the weight management area of health.
Catherine Smith is a Nurse Practitioner who runs a holistic weight loss clinic in Brisbane and who has worked within the obesity sector for over 10 years working in intensive care and perioperative areas. Additionally, she has many years' experience as a nurse educator. For the past 25 years, Catherine has been a registered nurse, becoming an endorsed Nurse Practitioner in 2012. Currently, she works as a perioperative nurse surgical assistant with general, gynaecology, and bariatric surgeons. Over the past several years, Catherine has served on nursing association committees, including the Obesity Map of Medicine redevelopment working group.
From 2018 to 2023, Catherine was the ACNP Treasurer, guiding the College to a strong financial position for the future, while contributing to the Royal Commission into Aged Care and other work of the College.
Melanie Dunstan
Melanie Dunstan is a Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner, Midwife, Diabetes Educator, Child and Family Health Nurse and Sexual & Women’s Health Nurse who is passionate about improving health for disadvantaged Australians. Currently working at Ngak Min Health and My Weight Loss Clinic. Over her nursing career she has worked with mothers, babies, families, young people, First Nation Australians, homeless clients and culturally diverse populations.
She worked in Rural and Remote Queensland for over 7 years, while working for the Royal Flying Doctor Service based in both Cairns and Mount Isa. During this time, she learnt about the tyranny of distance and the challenges of delivery of healthcare in remote areas. Melanie works to highlight the role that Nurse Practitioners can have in the Health Care system in Australia. She believes that all Australians deserve access to a Nurse Practitioner as part of their Health Care Team.
Melanie grew up in Victoria and has a love of working with rural and remote communities and believes that relationships are key to being able to provide health care.
Catherine Smith is a Nurse Practitioner who runs a holistic weight loss clinic in Brisbane and who has worked within the obesity sector for over 10 years working in intensive care and perioperative areas. Additionally, she has many years experience as a nurse educator. For the past 25 years, Catherine has been a registered nurse, becoming an endorsed Nurse Practitioner in 2012. Currently, she works as a perioperative nurse surgical assistant with general, gynaecology, and bariatric surgeons. Over the past several years, Catherine has served on nursing association committees, including the Obesity Map of Medicine redevelopment working group.
From 2018 to 2023 Catherine was the ACNP Treasurer guiding the College to a strong financial position for the future, while contributing to the Royal Commission into Aged Care and other works of the College.
Sarah Brokenshire is an Emergency and Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner with over 15 years of experience helping others when they need it most.
Sarah currently splits her time between working in a busy Metropolitan Emergency Department as well as in a private practice setting, working with patients to identify and reach their weight-related goals.
Liz has been working as a Nurse Practitioner in Primary Care for the past 10 years and has over 30 years of experience as a Registered Nurse. Her scope of practice is very broad, encompassing a rural and remote generalist field. She has completed graduate certificates in Diabetes Education and Management, and Paediatric, Child, and Youth Health.
Currently, Liz works in primary care and for My Weight Loss Clinic. She is very passionate about helping people with weight management and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Recently, she gained SCOPE certification and completed a Professional Certificate of Medical Nutrition Management.
Melanie Dunstan
Melanie Dunstan is a Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner, Midwife, Diabetes Educator, Child and Family Health Nurse and Sexual & Women’s Health Nurse who is passionate about improving health for disadvantaged Australians. Currently working at Ngak Min Health and My Weight Loss Clinic. Over her nursing career she has worked with mothers, babies, families, young people, First Nation Australians, homeless clients and culturally diverse populations.
She worked in Rural and Remote Queensland for over 7 years, while working for the Royal Flying Doctor Service based in both Cairns and Mount Isa. During this time, she learnt about the tyranny of distance and the challenges of delivery of healthcare in remote areas. Melanie works to highlight the role that Nurse Practitioners can have in the Health Care system in Australia. She believes that all Australians deserve access to a Nurse Practitioner as part of their Health Care Team.
Melanie grew up in Victoria and has a love of working with rural and remote communities and believes that relationships are key to being able to provide health care.
Jason Moloney is an experienced Nurse Practitioner with over 20 years of experience in healthcare. He has worked extensively in Primary Health and Emergency. He is passionate about the patient's journey and ensures that a strong partnership is created to assist you in achieving your health goals. Jason has been a member of the ACNP since 2019 and has recently focused on working in the weight management area of health.
Module One - Obesity, Weight Bias And Stigma
This session covers how to start a conversation and language to use during services, the environment and relevant websites.
COST: Free for members and non-members
1 CPD Hour*
*Conditions apply. Please refer to the 051 Continuing Professional Development Policy
Download General Course Information
NOTE: enrolment in all further modules is dependent on all previous Weight Management modules being successfully completed.
Module Two - Obesity Pathophysiology
This course focuses on recent updates and language changes.
COST: Free for members and non-members
1 CPD Hour*
*Conditions apply. Please refer to the 051 Continuing Professional Development Policy
Download General Course Information
NOTE: enrolment in each subsequent module is dependent on all previous Weight Management modules being successfully completed.
Module Three - Evaluation and Diagnosis
This module flows directly on from Module 2 using case studies to develop your evaluation and diagnosis of your patient cohort.
COST: Free for members and non-members
1 CPD Hour*
*Conditions apply. Please refer to the 051 Continuing Professional Development Policy
Download General Course Information
NOTE: enrolment in each subsequent module is dependent on all previous Weight Management modules being successfully completed.
Module Four - Pillars of Weight Loss
This module flows directly on from Module 3.
COST: Free for members and non-members
1 CPD Hour*
*Conditions apply. Please refer to the 051 Continuing Professional Development Policy
Download General Course Information
NOTE: enrolment in each subsequent module is dependant on all previous Weight Management modules being successfully completed.
Module Five - Bariatric Surgery and Procedures
This module flows directly on from Module 4.
COST: Free for members and non-members
1 CPD Hour*
*Conditions apply. Please refer to the 051 Continuing Professional Development Policy
Download General Course Information
NOTE: enrolment in each subsequent module is dependant on all previous Weight Management modules being successfully completed.
Module Six - Motivational Interviewing
This module flows directly on from Module 5.
COST: Free for members and non-members
1 CPD Hour*
*Conditions apply. Please refer to the 051 Continuing Professional Development Policy
Download General Course Information
NOTE: enrolment in each subsequent module is dependant on all previous Weight Management modules being successfully completed.
Module Seven-1 - Practice Management
This module flows directly on from Module 6.
COST: Free for members and non-members
1 CPD Hour*
*Conditions apply. Please refer to the 051 Continuing Professional Development Policy
Download General Course Information
NOTE: enrolment in each subsequent module is dependant on all previous Weight Management modules being successfully completed.
Module Seven-2 - Setting up your Clinic
This module flows directly on from Module 7.1.
COST: Free for members and non-members
1 CPD Hour*
*Conditions apply. Please refer to the 051 Continuing Professional Development Policy
Download General Course Information
NOTE: enrolment in each subsequent module is dependant on all previous Weight Management modules being successfully completed.
Module Seven-3 - Patient Focused Care
This module flows directly on from Module 7.2.
COST: Free for members and non-members
1 CPD Hour*
*Conditions apply. Please refer to the 051 Continuing Professional Development Policy
Download General Course Information
ENROLMENT OPENS SHORTLY
NOTE: enrolment in each subsequent module is dependant on all previous Weight Management modules being successfully completed.
Future Presenters
Stephanie has worked for over 25 years in children’s healthcare in NZ, Australia and the UK. Her paediatric experience has ranged from generalist to specialist, including primary healthcare, community development, paediatric ICU and ED, pain management and palliative care.
Since 2017, Stephanie has been in independent practice in Perth as a Paediatric Nurse Practitioner. Her business (NursePrac Australia) provides health service consultancy, health education and a nurse practitioner-led clinic (Just Kids Health) for babies to teens, aiming to improve health outcomes and the impact on social determinants of health for children and families.
Stephanie is an experienced director and committee member and has held a range of local, state and national committee and Board positions. In 2021, Stephanie was the Australian College of Nurse Practitioners Mentor of the Year.
