australasian neuroscience nurses

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australasian neuroscience nurses association
BRAINSTEM
www.anna.asn.au
November, Volume 4/2004
Hello members!! Welcome to another edition of
Brainstem and yes the final for this year! Its
hard to comprehend that Christmas is just about
on top of us and well be welcoming the new year
in.. As always with a new year, changes happen
and certainly for the ANNAEXECUTIVE, they have.
The new executive had handover on the 27th of
November. On this day, the group got to know each
other, talked about the history of ANNA and
exchanged ideas on how we can continue to promote
and facilitate the growth of the Association for
you. Id like to welcome our new executive
members Tracy Desborough ANNA President
Sharon Eriksson Vice President and Cheryl
Trudinger Conference Convenor. Since there are
so many new faces within the Executive and State
delegates, Ive decided to dedicate this edition
of Brainstem to our ANNA representatives.
Hopefully this will give you the opportunity get
to know your delegates and see what is happening
out there for you. Cheers, Rochelle
Australasian Executive President Tracy
Desborough Email tdesborough_at_doh.health.nsw.gov.a
u Phone [phone] Vice President Sharon
Eriksson Email erikssons_at_sesahs.nsw.gov.au Phone
[phone] Treasurer Angela Lownie Email
lownie_at_500cc.com Phone (02) 9476
4521 Secretary Rochelle McKnight Email
annaexecutive_at_bigpond.com.au Phone (02) 9926
7527 Conference Convenor Cheryl Trudinger Email
ctrudinger_at_stvincents.com.au Phone (02) 8382
2885 Journal Editor Jenni Blundell Email
jblundel_at_nursing.usyd.edu.au Executive Contact
Details PO Box 6, Artarmon NSW 1570
AUSTRALIA email annaexecutive_at_bigpond.com.au phon
e 9926 7527 fax [phone]
Whats Up???
9th World Federation of Neuroscience Nurses
Congress May 8-12 2005, Barcelona, Spain Website
www.wfnn.nu Royal North Shore Hospital Neuroscien
ce Symposium Commitment to Clinical
Excellence Friday 4th March For further details
contact Anne Macleod, [phone] Email
amacleod_at_doh.health.nsw.gov.au Glioma 2005 The
Future Sydney 17-19 March Website
www.glioma2005.com
If you have any up and coming events throughout
the year and would like other ANNA members know
about them why not email them to the ANNAEXEC for
inclusion in brainstem!!
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Australasian Executive
President - Tracy Desborough
My current role is that of Clinical Nurse
Educator for Stroke and Neurology at Central
Coast Health, an area wide position. I manage and
co-ordinate all Stroke and Neuro based education
for the service as well as provide Clinical
support for Nurses caring for Stroke and
Neurology patients. I am university trained with
degrees in both Nursing and Psychology and
currently hold a Conjoint Position as a lecturer
with the School of Nursing and Midwifery at The
University of Newcastle. I am also part way
through a research higher degree with the
university with a focus on Quality of Life and
the impact of patient mood on caregiver outcomes
post stroke. I am also part of the stroke
research team on the central coast. I am married
and have two kids, who keep me sane (and busy) ,
I love to read (for pleasure when I get a spare
minute!!!!!) and I love what I do.
Vice President Sharon Eriksson
Hello fellow Neuroscience enthusiasts. My name
is Sharon Eriksson and as the new Vice President
of the ANNA, I would like to introduce myself. I
have been a Neuroscience nurse for the past 12
years, during which I have undertaken several
different roles in this specialty. My experience
in Neurosciences extends from my early years as a
RN, to CNS, to Nurse Educator, to my current
position as the Clinical Nurse Consultant Stroke
at the Prince of Wales Hospital in Sydney. I am
looking forward to my involvement with the ANNA
Executive and as a member of the team will
endeavour to promote and expand the fantastic
initiatives of ANNA and its members. As a member
you are integral to the successes of the
Association and as such I encourage you to
promote ANNA membership to your colleagues. I
hope to meet many of you during my term as the
Vice President. ?
Treasurer Angela Lownie
Angela Lownie is the Huntington Outreach
Coordinator and Clinical Nurse Consultant based
at Lottie Stewart Hospital, Dundas NSW. She
brings with her an extensive nursing background
in Clinical research, STD OPD, alcohol rehab,
Geriatric and Palliative Care and of course
Huntingtons disease. To back up her nursing
experience, she has also completed several
university degrees including B.Soc.Sc(Nurs),
Grad Cert Res (Hlth, Grad Dip Hlth Sc(Pall
Cre),M.Hon.N . Angela has actively been involved
within the NSW branch of the association
previously, but last year joined the Australasian
executive as the Treasurer. She has shown to be a
true asset to the team, full of great ideas and
innovations with the goal to help the association
continue to grow.
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Secretary Rochelle McKnight
Throughout my nursing career, working in
neuroscience and particularly, neurosurgery, has
been a highlight ( hence my passion for it!)
Other than my BA of Nursing, I have a
Neuroscience Certificate, Graduate Diploma in
Critical Care and have completed my Masters in
Professional Studies (Management/Education).
Currently, Im the Nursing unit manager of the
neurosurgical intensive care unit at Royal North
Shore Hospital. Its an eight bedded unit that
specializes in cerebrovascular work, such as
coiling and clipping of aneurysms, AVMs,
multi-trauma, head injuries and removal of
tumours. We have an innovative , enthusiastic
team which creates a dynamic and fun culture to
work in ( and that doesnt even take into
account our ward nights out!) Ive been actively
involved in the association as the executive
secretary now for just over a year. Its been a
great experience with opportunities to network
and learn about all the great work that
neuroscience nurses do across Australasia. I look
forward to continuing as your ANNA secretary!!!
Conference Convener Cheryl Trudinger
Hello to all ANNA members. As the above title
indicates I have been elected into the position
of Conference Convenor. I am still blissfully
unaware of what this position truly means BUT
following an afternoon handover in late November
this will all change and bliss will no longer be
in my vocabulary I am sure of that. So what kind
of person accepts this position? I am asking
myself this same question!! To prevent this
turning into an add for a singles column as I
describe myself all I will say is I am willing to
give anything a go, I suffer from short periods
of insanity (this explains why I accepted the
nomination for the position), I prefer feedback
to gossip, I enjoy a challenge and I like to
consider myself as easy going. I am the Nursing
Unit Manager of ward X7N at St Vincents Hospital
Sydney. Along with Neuroscience the ward also
caters for ENT and Vascular patients, I like to
think that all three specialties relate well
together but it does make for a very busy ward.
If you were to read my CV you could say I have
had worldly experience in Neuroscience,
particularly neurosurgery having worked in London
at The Royal Free Hampstead and Lake Geneva
Wisconsin (USA, Summer Camp nurse). Back in
Australia the majority of my Neuro experience has
come from working on the wards and in Neuro ICU
at RNSH and RPA. Another glance at the CV might
indicate that I am studious I will tell you all
now that I am not. Last week I graduated from
University of New South Wales with my Masters of
Health Administration (MHA) and previous to that
in 1999 I graduated from University Technology
Sydney with Masters in Nursing (Clinical
Practice neuroscience). I have now packed up all
essay writing essentials. As Conference Convenor
my goal is obviously to convene a successful 2005
ANNA Scientific Conference with the right mix of
academic program and social program. This is not
a one woman job, I know I have the support of the
past and present ANNA Executive but what I need
is the support of the members, this is your
conference I need you. I need you to put the
date in your diary, advertise to your colleagues
about an excellent opportunity to learn and
network, think about preparing an abstract for
presentation or poster and most importantly
getting in early with your registration and
abstract. I look forward to seeing you all up,
across and down in the Gold Coast in 2005.
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State Delegates
ACT Sonja Eldridge I have worked on the
Neurosciences Units in Canberra for over 17
years.  Last year I was Ag Clinical Nurse
Co-ordinator at the Rehabilitation Independent
Living Unit of TCH. I am presently working in the
Infection Control Unit at TCH where I am involved
with the Surgical Site Surveillance project.
 The Neurosciences Unit (Ward 9B) was originally
situated in Royal Canberra Hospital (RCH) - of
implosion fame.  Following the closure of RCH the
unit was transferred to Woden Valley Hospital,
which has since been renamed - 'The Canberra
Hospital' (TCH).  TCH is the major acute services
hospital and trauma center for the ACT and
surrounding South Eastern Region of NSW. Ward 9B
is a 25 bed unit which has cared for both
neurosurgical and neurology patients, but
recently a Stroke Unit was established on Ward
7A.  Most of ANNA ACT's membership is derived
from nurses who either work or have worked on
these Neuroscience Units. The Clinical Nurse
Consultant of Ward 9B, Tania Lawrence, is our new
Secretary. Our Treasurer, Jill Hughes, is the
Clinical Nurse Co-ordinator of the LINK team
which organises community nursing, allied health
services and other discharge planning for
patients of the public hospitals in the
ACT.  Both Tania and Jill have had years of
neuroscience nursing experience.    We look
forward to a challenging and interesting year
working with ANNA ACT. NSW Maureen
Edgtton-Winn NSW is an active state branch of
ANNA and it is a privilege to represent the
branch as State Delegate. Over the years (I have
been delegate since 1996) NSW has again formed
an Executive and continues to organise
educational events for its members. This is
predominantly within the Sydney metropolitan
region but our goal is to extend that to the
Gosford region (where our new President hails
from) and develop more rapport with members who
are active in the Wollongong region (and frankly
- anywhere else there are NSW Neuro' nurses so
please let us know). One of the challenges for us
is to link effectively with these neuro' nurses
and make the most of their enthusiasm, which is
evident in their hospitals and their own
educational events that they offer. Unlike some
branches, we do not tend to have social functions
amongst our members. I read with envy where some
branches organise movie nights - something we
might get to this year! However, we have been
busy ensuring the viability of the branch and
maintaining our goal of ensuring best practice
through our Neuro Educational events. ANNA - NSW
rides on the efforts of our Sydney Hospitals to
run these events. In 2004 we have had evenings at
The Prince of Wales' and Lottie Stewart
hospitals, as well as our State AGM - all very
worthwhile events in fact, they were brilliant!
So much so that we approached one event organiser
and asked if she might be willing to help other
ANNA members in our metro' hospitals with their
educational evenings. So, we'd like to welcome
Karen Wood for her expertise and invite our NSW
neuro nurses to utilise her advice regarding ANNA
evenings. Another triumph for NSW (hey - its a
chance to promote!!!) is our quarterly
newsletter "Hemisphere News". Kylie Wright is
our editor and each edition of 'Hemi' News' just
gets better and bigger! The newsletters are
available online at the NSW page. So, here's to
2005 and to our team - if you need to contact our
Executive we are Heidi Evans (Secretary), Jenni
Blundell (Treasurer) and Maureen Edgtton-Winn
(President)at www.anna.asn.au MEW.
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VIC Suzy Goodman My name is Suzy Goodman and I
have recently taken over as ANNA Victorian State
Delegate from Sue Vanselow. I have worked in
Neuroscience nursing for the last 12 years
(frightening when you write it down) at the
Epworth Hospital which is a large private
hospital in Richmond, Melbourne. Over that time I
have worked in numerous positions which include
Bank nurse, Ward nurse, Associate Charge Nurse,
Team leader, Stroke Care Co-ordinator and
currently Neuroscience Clinical care
co-ordinator. I have a Grad Dip in Health
Promotion which I finished in 2000. I fell in to
Neuro nursing (pardon the pun) mainly because I
like the team of nurses working on the unit which
despite the hectic pace. We always seemed to
enjoy our shift together celebrating often with
afternoon teas and nights out and lots of
laughter. I have always found the patients
varied and challenging we care for as neuro
nurses and have never stopped learning. Although
some days I wonder why I am still turning up to
the frantic and stressful environment we work in.
However, on reflection I usually go home at the
end of the day having learnt something new about
nursing neuro patients and often about myself. I
look forward to being more involved in ANNA and
meeting more members. The secretary of ANNA VIC
is Lyn Wallace who I am sure you all know and the
Treasurer is Chris Holland, both who have kept
ANNA VIC running for a long time. We meet Bi
monthly and always have an interesting speaker
that we organise from our large pool of
Neurologist and Neurosurgeons. Please come to the
meetings as I think you will find the speakers
interesting and its a chance to meet others
working in Neuro nursing. And if that doesnt
entice you, there is usually wine!! WA Sue
Shapland Delegate for WA 1979 - 1983 approx (cant
remember exactly) and restarted the WA Branch in
1995 and  have been delegate since then. I have
worked in a tertiary hospital in Neuroscience
nursing for approximately 20 years as a  bedside 
RN and then Clinical Nurse. I worked
predominantly with neurosurgery which was my
passion. I then did 2 years as an After Hours
Clinical Nurse Consultant covering the hospital
and then 2 years as a Nurse manager for
neurosciences. After acting in the Nurse
Co-director role for the Neuroscience Clinical
Service Unit for 18 months I left and joined the
Multiple Sclerosis Society of WA as a Senior
Manager for Member Services. We provide
professional services for people with MS and have
a multidisciplinary health team.    I have
completed my Bachelor of Nursing at ECU and the
Certificate of MS Nursing at SCGH. I chaired the
WA working party that created the draft of the
Professional Standards of Neuroscience Nursing
for ANNA and have written the workbook and tutor
the Neuroscience Nursing post grad course at
ECU. QLD Sue Day My name is Sue Day and I have
been working as the Nurse Unit manager of the
Neurosciences Unit at the Princess Alexandra
Hospital in Brisbane since June 2002. I am
excited to be taking over the role of State
Delegate from Tim and will be contacting members
as soon as I have contact details. My email
address is sue_day_at_health.qld.gov.au Auckland,
New Zealand Angela Davenport I am charge nurse
of 22 bed neurology / neurosurgery ward. I
currently am job sharing this role, and in spare
time of being mother to a toddler (!!) am on the
home stretch with my MHSc. With luck this will be
finished June 05. ANNA -Auckland branch meets
once each month alternating between journal club
and guest speakers. We have had two ANNA
national forum in last three years, and hope to
continue this conference every second year.
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Webmaster - Chris Baker
Chris Baker is ANNAs webmaster he developed
and maintains the website. This website remains a
well developed resource for neuroscience health
professionals and consumers of health
care. Chris is an experienced Information
Computer Technology Analyst Programmer and WEB
Developer. Currently seeking more Web Site
development and hosting opportunities. Reasonable
rates, no job too small. Contact on
dharms.baker_at_telstra.com.
Journal editor Dr Jenni Blundell
Jenni Blundell brings to ANNA and the
Australasian Journal of Neuroscience a wealth of
experience and knowledge. For an extensive number
of years, she has taught in the area of
neuroscience nursing for many years, at
undergraduate and postgraduate level and
continues to keep updated with advances in
treatment and care. In addition to this, Jenni
has been a member of the National Executive for
the Australian Nurse Teacher's Society for three
3 year terms and has demonstrated her use
oforganisational skills in that capacity
(Secretary, Treasurer, organizing thefinancial
aspects of  2 national conferences).  She has
also held administrative positions in clinical
and academic arenas demonstrating organisational,
interpersonal and coordination skills. As the
Journal editor, she demonstrates the skills,
attitude and knowledge to encourage professional
development throughout the association. Above
all she has an interest in the Journal and in
encouraging neuroscience nurses to share their
knowledge.
State Delegates contact details
ACT Sonja Eldridge Canberra Hospital Email
eldridge_at_webone.com.au NSW Maureen
Edgtton-Winn Liverpool Hospital Email
winningedge3_at_optusnet.com.au
VIC Suzy Goodman Epworth Hospital Email
suzy_at_epworth.org.au WA Sue Shapland MS Society
WA Email sue.shapland_at_multiple-wa.asn.au
QLD Sue Day Royal Brisbane Hospital Email
sue_day_at_health.qld.gov.au New Zealand North
Island Angela Davenport Auckland Public
Hospital Email adavenport_at_adhb.govt.nz
Executive Contact Details PO Box 6, Artarmon NSW
1570 AUSTRALIA email annaexecutive_at_
bigpond.com.au phone [phone] fax [phone]