Volume 27 Number 3

Welcome to our third and final edition of JARNA for 2025. Each year seems to pass quicker than the previous one, and this year is no different. I write this as your Acting President. Ali’s term has come to an end and on behalf of the Board, I thank her for her hard work and dedication to ARNA during her Presidency and also for her continued involvement as a Board member and as a valued support to me. I have big shoes to fill while the Board works on appointing a President, moving forward.

We held another successful Annual Conference in October, this year in Melbourne at Crown. I thoroughly enjoy the conference each year, being in a room full of people that think the same way I do. You are my ‘tribe’ and I was very excited to meet some Board members and members in-person whom I have only ever seen through a computer screen or corresponded with via email. We all share the same passion for rehabilitation in nursing and it shone through once again through our keynote and invited speakers, and our presenters. It was a joy to hear the lively conversations during breaks between attendees and our valued sponsors.

Thankyou to our small and dedicated ‘JET’ team that works hard to bring you each edition of JARNA. JET is our acronym for JARNA Editorial Team. JARNA exists for you and is nothing without you and I use this opportunity to strongly encourage you to consider writing for your journal. JARNA remains committed to showcasing your work, amplifying your voice, and supporting your journey. We welcome all types of content – a Letter to the Editor, a quality project you may be undertaking, research, an opinion piece or clinical commentary. There is plenty of support for you to write for publication regardless of your experience, either through JET or other experienced ARNA members. If I can do it, so can you. To get in contact with JET, please email arna@arna.com.au and ask to be put in contact with a member of JET.

Our December edition brings together three exciting and informative papers. The development of the Nursing Sleep Assessment Form (NSAF) exemplifies how a simple assessment tool like this can support our patients’ sleep – an often under-documented aspect of neurocognitive, emotional and physical recovery in our patients. We look forward to the results once the form is tested in the clinical space.

Equally compelling is the vignette of practice exploring Domain 2 of our Competency Standards: Teaching and Coaching. Through the case study of an older adult undertaking rehabilitation, we can see how nurses facilitate learning for patients and for peers and teams. This study reminds us that rehabilitation is not physical – it is educational, relational and deeply contextual.

And finally, the Global Rehabilitation Certification Program (GRCP) offers a strategic opportunity for nurses to align with international standards. Developed in response to the World Health Organization’s call for investment in the rehabilitation workforce, the GRCP includes competency-based certification for rehabilitation nurses and supports global mobility, recognition and leadership.

We have many committees and sub-committees in ARNA that share the common goal of promoting rehabilitation in nursing and being a voice for rehabilitation nurses. From Communities of Practice through to Education, Research and Strengthening ARNA committees/taskforces, we encourage you to take part and share your ideas. While we are all passionate advocates of rehabilitation in nursing, we are all volunteers and we are very keen to hear your ideas on how we can keep ARNA growing, evolving and meeting your needs. Simply email us at arna@arna.com.au. Most meetings are second-monthly at most and don’t require much of your time.

Through ARNA, I’ve had the privilege of meeting many incredible colleagues – some of whom I now call friends. The networking opportunities are invaluable. They allow us to share ideas, exchange practices and learn from one another so that none of us are left reinventing the wheel. Whether you’re new to rehabilitation nursing or a seasoned clinician like me, ARNA offers a space for connection, growth and collective impact. Let’s keep building that momentum together.

As 2025 comes to a close, I thank you for your continued support of your professional association. I wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year – however you celebrate, and whatever this time means to you. I’m energised by the possibilities ahead for ARNA in 2026 and the incredible work of our rehabilitation nurses.

Kind regards

Sarah Potter
Acting ARNA President

Author(s)

Sarah Potter
Acting ARNA President
Email president@arna.com.au