About the event

Held the day before the ACN National Nursing Forum, this interactive pre-conference event is designed, organised, and delivered by the ACN Next Generation Faculty to support our student and early career nurses. It also welcomes those who champion and support the next generation of nurses in a day of learning, connecting and growing.

Building on the success of previous years, Transition. Transform. Trailblaze. celebrates the many pathways nursing can offer and the opportunities that arise when nurses embrace change, pursue their passions, and step confidently into their next nursing role.

Through a series of inspiring TED-style presentations, attendees will hear from nurses who have navigated unique career journeys, challenged themselves to grow, and created meaningful impact within their communities, workplaces, and the broader profession. Their stories will offer practical insights, inspiration, and reassurance that there is no single path to a rewarding nursing career.

A highlight of the afternoon will be A Day in the Life of..., an interactive career pathways experience where participants can connect directly with nurses from a range of specialties, settings, and leadership roles. Designed to be participant-led, this session provides a unique opportunity to ask questions, gain real-world insights, and explore the many possibilities available throughout a nursing career.

Whether you're a nursing student preparing for your first graduate role, an early career nurse finding your feet, a nurse considering your next career move, or an experienced professional passionate about supporting the next generation, this event offers a welcoming space to learn, connect, share experiences, and be inspired.

Key Learning Objectives

Participants will have the opportunity to:

• Explore diverse nursing career pathways across different clinical practice specialities such as acute, community and aged care. Higher leadership positions in management. As well as more academic positions within education, research and policy.
• Learn from nurses who have successfully navigated career transitions, challenges, and professional growth opportunities.
• Build confidence in identifying future career opportunities, leadership aspirations, and professional goals.
• Strengthen professional networks and develop meaningful connections with peers, mentors, and nurse leaders.
• Discover practical strategies to support ongoing career development, engagement, and leadership within nursing

About the speakers 

Jenna Ricciardi MACN

Jenna Ricciardi is a Registered Nurse based in Perth, Western Australia, with clinical experience across a diverse range of nursing settings, including emergency nursing and women’s health.

Jenna currently works as the Gynaecology Complex Care Coordinator at Women and Newborn Health Service, where she leads an integrated service providing comprehensive, person-centred care for women with complex and multifaceted healthcare needs.

She completed the ACN Emerging Nurse Leader (ENL) Program in 2023 and 2024 and is a member of the Leadership Faculty leadership team. Jenna embraces new opportunities and challenges, believing that every experience provides an opportunity to learn, grow, and make a meaningful difference within the nursing profession.

Amy Cowan FACN

With an extensive nursing career shaped by diverse roles across acute care, community and primary health, national projects, volunteering, and health professional education, Amy brings both depth and heart to her work.

Her professional journey has evolved alongside life experience, fostering a strong commitment to authenticity, integrity, and person centred care. Amy currently works as a nursing academic, where her passion lies in nursing leadership, mentoring, transition to practice, and chronic disease care.

Recognised as the ADEA Victorian Diabetes Educator of the Year in 2018 and an inaugural ACN Bullwinkel Scholar in 2024, Amy is currently the Deputy Chair for the ACN Leadership Faculty. Amy is also completing her PhD exploring nursing leadership, driven by a desire to inspire the career journey of the next generation of nurses.

Adjunct Associate Professor Sonia Martin MACN

Adjunct Associate Professor Sonia Martin is a nationally recognised health equity consultant and registered nurse with over 30 years’ experience working with people experiencing homelessness, poverty, and complex vulnerability.

Sonia is the founder of OneBridge, a nurse-led organisation providing equity-informed, outreach and place-based care across Australia. A Churchill Fellow (2022), her international research spans India, Europe, the UK, and North America.

She chairs Australia’s first Street Health Faculty and developed The MartMolly Method, a clinician to person equity informed care framework, advancing equitable healthcare through practice, research, and policy reform.

The ACN Next Generation Faculty extends its sincere thanks to Federation University for their generous support of this event.

We are grateful to Federation University for sponsoring this year's session and providing access to their Melbourne City Campus. Their commitment to supporting nursing students, early career nurses, and future nurse leaders helps create valuable opportunities for connection, learning, and professional growth.