About the event

Hosted by the ACN NSW Region leadership team Nasiba, Kavita, Emma and Sophie, join us for an afternoon with guest speaker Ellie Pich and panelist Kayla Tiga as we farewell the year, and talk all things wellness, burnout prevention and have an opportunity to network with our local colleagues over some finger food, fun activities, raffle and lucky door prize. Also get excited to join in on the conversation with our open panel where you can ask our panelists directly about their own nursing lived experiences and share your own. We really look forward to a fun day by the coast, and the opportunity for our team to connect with you. Feel free to bring your nursing friends along too, and join us for an optional dinner afterwards at 5pm walking distance away at Ironbark, Hotel Gosford.

Key Learning Objectives

• Explore practical strategies to recognise, prevent and manage burnout, supporting personal wellbeing and professional resilience.
• Reflect on the achievements, challenges and key learnings from the past year to inspire future growth and development.
• Strengthen professional connections by networking and sharing experiences with fellow nurses from diverse practice settings.

About the speakers

Ellie Pich - Emergency Clinical Nurse Specialist and Clinical Nursing Unit Manager, Social Media Nursing Advocate



Ellie Pich is a clinical nurse specialist in emergency with six years of experience in the field. She started her career during the  COVID 19 pandemic and was presented with unique opportunities due to this. She completed a secondment program at a sister hospital to become more specialized in critical care nursing. This lead to becoming a clinical NUM in a casual capacity. Ellie also speaks about nursing and advocacy for nursing on her social media platforms.

Nasiba Faiz MACN - Paediatric Intensive Care Registered Nurse and Casual Academic Chair, ACN NSW Region



Graduating from the University of Sydney, Nasiba completed her studies with distinction and has since completed further postgraduate education in paediatric intensive care and health action training. She is an alumna of the Emerging Nurse Leader Program and is currently studying a post graduate degree in higher education. Nasiba is a passionate advocate, with a particular interest in the long-term psychological impacts of hospitalisation, nursing education, as well as advocating for psychological safety in the workplace. Through her work with the Australian College of Nursing and the Australian College of Critical Care Nurses, she has contributed to local and national conversations on culture, leadership, policy, and trauma-informed care, encouraging nurses to lead with authenticity and integrity.


Emma Kelly MACN - Registered Nurse, Clinical Educator and Chief Operating Officer of Derma Medical Australia Leadership Support, ACN NSW Region



Emma Kelly is a Registered Nurse, clinical educator and Chief Operating Officer of Derma Medical Australia. Her background spans emergency nursing, theatres, plastic surgery and cosmetic practice. She holds an MBA, Bachelor of Nursing and postgraduate qualifications in cosmetic nursing, and is currently completing postgraduate study in designated RN prescribing at QUT. An ACN Emerging Policy Leader Scholarship recipient, Emma is passionate about patient safety, clinical governance and strengthening nursing career pathways. She brings practical insight into balancing clinical work, leadership, study and family, and advocates for professional connection, supportive workplaces and opportunities for nurses to influence meaningful healthcare change.

Kayla Tiga - Registered Nurse at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and Emerging Nurse Leader

A graduate of the University of Sydney, Kayla completed a Bachelor of Health Science and Master of Nursing with distinction. She is a Registered Nurse with experience in Haematology, Bone Marrow Transplantation and Colorectal Surgery, and is part of the Australian College of Nursing's 2026 Emerging Nurse Leader Program.

Through her involvement with the Australian College of Nursing, including moderating at the 2026 National Nursing Forum, Kayla has contributed to discussions on nursing leadership and professional development. She is passionate about the future of nursing leadership, healthcare governance and empowering nurses to drive positive change.

Outside of nursing, Kayla enjoys fitness, particularly running and hybrid training. An avid traveller and adventurer, she loves exploring new destinations, embracing new experiences and challenging herself both physically and personally.

Sophie Luo - Leadership support ACN NSW region 

Sophie is a Registered Nurse at a paediatric hospital in NSW. As a member of the ACN NSW Sydney Leadership Team, she is committed to fostering compassionate leadership, innovation, mentorship and advocacy for nurses across the healthcare system. She is also a part of the ACN Emerging Nurse Leader Program and serves on the UTS Alumni Committee, reflecting her ongoing commitment to nursing leadership, professional development and empowering the next generation of nurses.