About the event

Neuro-inclusive Nursing Workplaces: Starting the Conversation This session will explore neurodiversity within the nursing workforce and what neuro-inclusive workplaces look like in practice.

Key Learning Objectives

• Discuss the concept of neurodiversity in nursing and explore its impact on nursing practice, and workforce participation.
• Identify strategies for creating a neuroinclusive workplace, including approaches that support recruitment, retention, wellbeing, and professional development of neurodivergent staff.
• Identify the benefits and challenges of neuroinclusive workplaces, considering implications for individuals, teams, organisational culture, and healthcare outcomes.

About the speakers 

Frances Rice MACN – ACN Chief Nursing Officer

Frances Rice is the inaugural Chief Nursing Officer at the Australian College of Nursing. She brings extensive experience in nursing leadership, health policy and regulation. In her previous role as Senior Nursing Advisor in the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, Frances received two Secretary’s awards for her work on nursing and midwifery policy. Her work in the Department included the removal of collaborative arrangements for nurse practitioners and endorsed midwives; the development and publication of the Nurse Practitioner Workforce Plan; and the development of the National Nursing Workforce Strategy.

Danielle Orifici - Nurse Co-Director Women’s Health, Genetics and Mental Health Women and Newborn Health Service (WNHS)

Dannielle Orifici is the Nurse Co-Director of Women’s Health, Genetics and Mental Health at the Women and Newborn Health Service (WNHS), part of the North Metropolitan Health Service in Western Australia. In this role, she provides executive leadership across a broad portfolio of statewide programs, driving integrated, equitable, and patient-centred care for women and families. A highly respected senior nurse executive, Dannielle brings more than two decades of experience leading reform and innovation across Western Australia’s public health system. Her career spans acute mental health services, workforce leadership, and strategic program delivery, with a strong focus on improving outcomes for people experiencing mental health challenges and complex psychosocial needs. Dannielle is a passionate advocate for women’s health, mental health, and trauma-informed care, as well as for building compassionate, safe, and sustainable healthcare environments for both patients and staff. Her work is underpinned by a commitment to collaboration, equity, and system-wide improvement. Dannielle holds postgraduate qualifications in leadership and management and is a Justice of the Peace

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