The Refugee Nurses Australia (RNA) network was formed in January 2016 by lead Refugee Health Nurses across Australia. There are Refugee Health Nurses in every state and territory. The RNA has a national focus and provides an opportunity for nurses working with people from a refugee background to share resources, be advocates, contribute to clinical guidelines and be involved in the community of practice opportunities.
What we do
The objectives of the RNA are:
Provide a forum for the exchange of information and resources between refugee health nurses and other relevant stakeholders across Australia.
- Promote best practice in refugee health nursing through quality improvements, professional practice and evidenced based research
- Provide leadership in the development of a national refugee health nurse clinical practice framework including the scope of practice, credentialing and models of care.
- Advocate for refugee and asylum seeker issues.
National Steering Committee
Victoria: Kath Desmyth (Co-Chair)
NSW: Sandy Eagar, Michele Greenwood, Bronwen Blake
SA: Jan Williams
QLD: Leeanne Schmidt (Co-Secretary), Meryl Jones (Memberships)
NT: Aayushma Wagle
WA: Brenda Kamau (Co-Chair), Bizunesh Kebede (Co-Secretary)
ACT: Megan Enright
TAS: Janelle Jozefiak, Matthew Carew
What is a refugee health nurse?
Refugee health nurses are specialist nurses who work with clients from a refugee background. To learn more, please read the Practice Framework document.
A refugee health nurse in Victoria has been interviewed about her role by the Australian Primary Health Nurse Association (APNA). This interview captures all aspects of our role. Watch it here: