Society of nurses at large in WA

The launch of the Western Australian at Large Honor Society of Nursing sees nurses in WA taking the first step toward joining a global nursing community. By Amie Larter

Last month’s establishment of the Western Australian at Large Honor Society of Nursing partnered nursing programs from The University of Western Australia, Edith Cowan University, The University of Notre Dame Australia and Curtin University.

For the first time, nursing students will join nurse academics and nurse clinicians in one association.

The group was created as a precursor to the formation of a Sigma Theta Tau International Chapter – a global network of 130,000 nurses from over 85 countries supporting the learning, knowledge and professional development of nurses committed to making a difference in healthcare on a global scale.

Attending the event was the chief nursing officer from the WA health Department, inaugural president of the WAHSN professor Desley Hegney, and 100 inductees. Key note speaker for the event was Dr Joanne McGlowan from STTI in the US.

Hegney said that, given WA’s geographical isolation, the program delivers a unique opportunity to look at how other countries are dealing with common health issues.

“STTI has a major focus on leadership, research and scholarship, and therefore this opens excellent opportunities for international exchange, international mentorship for students as well as our budding nurse leaders,” she said.

Peter Carr, lecturer, School of Nursing & Midwifery at the University of Notre Dame Fremantle Australia, who was among the first group of inductees, said it was an honour to be part of an international society with a great reputation in nursing leadership, education and research.

“The society supports learning and an exchange of nursing knowledge. It expands your nursing contacts and supports networking. This promotes and strengthens the nursing profession,” he said.

“It provides scholarship for nursing enquiry and supports leadership and professional development for members. For Western Australia it will enhance existing collaboration between various nursing groups such as; nursing education, nursing research, clinical nursing and nurse management. It will support a positive evidence based approach to nursing and patient care.”

Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia have all established STTI chapters of their own.

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