About the event
The ACN Leadership Faculty
is excited to continue our two part webinar series exploring how we can better
understand, support and empower neurodivergent nurses in the workplace. Webinar
2 will build on the foundation established in Webinar 1 by deepening
understanding of neurodiversity in a nursing context. This session will explore
key concepts, common neurodivergent profiles and the lived experiences of
neurodivergent clinicians. The aim of Webinar 2 is to extend the conversation
by examining the research, evidence and practical strategies that support the
creation of neuroinclusive nursing workplaces. Our focus is on translating this
knowledge into meaningful, real-world actions that enable neurodivergent nurses
to thrive.
Key Learning Objectives
- By the end of this webinar,
participants will be able to: Recognise common forms of neurodivergence within
the nursing workforce.
- Analyse research evidence and lived experiences to
better understand the barriers and opportunities encountered by neurodivergent
nurses.
- Identify practical actions and leadership strategies that foster
inclusive, supportive and neuroaffirming nursing workplaces.
About the speakers
Rebecca Powell - Clinical Placement Liaison
Nurse and Lecturer, Monash University
Rebecca is a Registered
Nurse with more than 23 years of experience across acute medical and surgical
settings, including leadership roles as an Associate Nurse Manager and clinical
preceptor. Passionate about education and student support, she completed a Master
of Teaching (Primary and Secondary) and has taught across both Diploma and
Bachelor of Nursing programs at a range of educational institutions. Rebecca
has extensive experience in clinical placement management and has held roles
including Undergraduate Coordinator within the clinical environment and
Clinical Placement Coordinator at tertiary level. She is currently undertaking
honours research exploring how clinical educators support neurodivergent
nursing and midwifery students during clinical placement, with a focus on
identifying strategies that foster more inclusive and supportive learning
environments within healthcare education. As both a lived experience Registered
Nurse and educator, Rebecca is passionate about advocating for neurodivergent
students and promoting greater understanding, inclusion, and support within
healthcare education and clinical practice.
Qing Ling MACN - Clinical Systems
Improvement Manager, RSL Life Care
Qing is a nurse
informatician with more than 20 years’ experience across hospital and
residential aged care. Her career spans clinical practice, education, health
informatics, clinical governance, quality, and organisational improvement. She
currently works in a large, multi-site aged care organisation, supporting
clinical systems and practice improvement. Prior to this, she worked nationally
as a Nurse Advisor and Clinical Governance consultant, supporting aged care
organisations to translate complex clinical, quality and regulatory information
into practical improvement. Qing is particularly interested in neurodiversity,
leadership and workplace systems. She advocates for strengths-based leadership
and greater cognitive literacy, recognising that leaders act as organisational
interpreters of cognitive difference. How leaders understand and frame
difference can influence whether it is met with understanding and support, or reinforced through negative assumptions and bias across the wider team.
Jenna Ricciardi MACN - Gynaecology Clinical Nurse
Specialist, Child and Adolescent Health Service, Perth Children's Hospital
Gynaecology Complex Care Coordinator, Women and Newborn Health Service, King
Edward Memorial Hospital
Jenna is a Registered Nurse
whose career has been shaped by lived experience and a growing understanding of
her own neurodivergence. Throughout her career, she has moved through
unexpected roles, navigated uncertainty, and uncovered strengths she didn’t know
she had. She’s learnt that while her brain works differently, it brings unique
strengths that have become her greatest assets. In her current role, Jenna
works closely with consumers, and through listening to their stories she has
seen firsthand how neurodivergence, mental illness and lived experiences shape
a person's journey through care. This work has given her deep insight into the
barriers these patients face and the meaningful changes that can improve their
overall experience. This insight has strengthened Jenna’s passion for
recognising individual strengths and advocating for people with diverse needs.
Drawing on her own neurodivergence, she uses this understanding to support
colleagues, helping to create environments where nurses feel understood,
supported and empowered to work to their strengths. By sharing her story, Jenna
hopes to advocate for nurses with neurodivergent profiles, recognising the
importance of visibility, representation and honest conversations.
Not an ACN member? Join ACN to attend this event for free and access the recording afterwards on the ACN CPD Centre.
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