About the event

Calling all graduating nursing and midwifery students! Join us for an interactive panel webinar designed to support your transition into professional practice as a newly registered nurse or midwife. Our panel of experienced healthcare professionals will share their career journeys, including how they approached their graduate years, secured their first roles, and navigated challenges such as workplace stress and burnout. They will also discuss alternative career pathways, offering insight into the diverse opportunities available across the profession. You’ll gain practical strategies to succeed in your first year of practice, build resilience, and establish a strong foundation for a rewarding career. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with peers, ask questions, and gain valuable insights from experienced nurses and midwives who have been in your position. Bring your questions, our panelists are here to support you as you take the next step in your professional journey.

Key Learning Objectives

• Learn how to successfully navigate your graduate year as a newly registered nurse/midwife, and explore alternative career pathways.
• Hear personal stories and strategies from seasoned professionals on overcoming the challenges of finding your first role, managing workplace stress, and preventing burnout.
• Gain practical tips to excel in your first year of practice, develop resilience, and build a strong foundation for a successful and sustainable career in healthcare.

About the speakers

Lachlan Landford MACN - Graduate Registered Nurse/Midwife at Goulburn Valley Health and ACN Emerging Nurse Leader

Lachlan is currently completing his Nursing and Midwifery graduate program at Goulburn Valley Health in Shepparton. He studied at La Trobe university in Bendigo, and has lived rurally most of his life, so is very passionate about rural and remote healthcare. Looking to the future, he would like to pursue further study in rural and remote health, and become a Primary Healthcare Nurse for The Royal Flying Doctor Service.

Elise Cowled MACN - Registered Nurse and Graduate Coordinator at Mulgrave Private Hospital

Elise Cowled is a Registered Nurse with experience across clinical nursing, education and workforce development. With 8 years of experience as Graduate Coordinator, Elise is passionate about supporting the next generation of nurses, professional growth and creating positive learning environments. Elise is excited to share her insights and experiences to help graduate nurses navigate the rewarding journey from student to confident healthcare professional.

David Markunis - National Educator for All for Purpose Care

David trained at Prince of Wales and Prince Henry Group Hospitals in Sydney, followed by Operating Room Certificate. Became a NUM in the operating rooms at POW. Moved to the ACT to be a CNS in a surgical ward. Moved to Melbourne to be DON at a private hospital followed by Residential Manager positions for several Aged Care organisations, then moved into the education field.

Michael Forbes - Early Career Nurse Programs Educator at Austin Health

With more than 15 years of nursing experience across clinical practice, leadership, and workforce education, Michael is a Clinical Nurse Educator with a passion for supporting the next generation of nurses. Beginning a career as an Enrolled Nurse in rehabilitation, Michael later became a Registered Nurse and completed his Graduate Program at Austin Health. He has since worked across a broad range of medical and surgical specialties before transitioning into nursing education. Michael has worked across several portfolios, including Neurosciences and Spinal Services, Bank and Pool staffing, and Early Career Nursing Programs. He currently supports undergraduate nursing students and graduate nurses as they transition into professional practice.

Jenny Hagan - Graduate Program Coordinator - Western Health 

With over 33 years of experience at Western Health, Jenny is a highly accomplished nursing professional with extensive expertise in clinical practice, education, and leadership. Throughout her career, she has held a range of key positions, including Graduate Program Coordinator, Graduate Program Educator, Graduate Program Coordinator for Western Metro, Clinical Nurse Educator, Associate Nurse Unit Manager (ANUM), Renal Coordinator, and Anaemia Coordinator.

Abegail Dudok - Assistant Director of Nursing and Midwifery Education - Graduate Program, Werribee Mercy Hospital, Mercy Health

Abegail is the Assistant Director of Education for Graduate Programs at Mercy Health, supporting learning teams across the Heidelberg and Werribee campuses. With a strong background in clinical education, she focuses on practical capability building and providing structured support for early career nursing and midwifery professionals. Committed to fostering a collaborative learning environment, Abegail works closely with clinical teams to help graduates transition smoothly into practice, ensuring they develop skills and confidence needed to deliver high patient quality care.

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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