The Australian College of Nursing Foundation (ACN Foundation) is offering two fully funded scholarships for Pacific Island Nations Nursing Leaders to attend ACN’s Institute of Leadership’s Nurse Executive Leadership Program held from 17–20 May 2027 in Melbourne.
The scholarships are targeted at experienced Registered Nurses working in senior leadership or executive roles within the health or aged care system in the Pacific Nations who aspire to be the next Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officers or leaders of National Nursing Associations.
The two scholarships will be awarded to the current or future nurse leaders who best demonstrate their vision to transform healthcare and influence governments in their respective countries.
Applications close 11:59 pm AEDT, Sunday 25 October 2026.
Scholarships available
Number of scholarships: 2
Value of scholarship: up to $15,000 (Includes course registration, flights, and accommodation)
Nurse Executive Leadership Program
The Nurse Executive Leadership Program will develop those in, or those aspiring to, nurse executive roles with the capabilities required to meet the future social, political and economic challenges in health and aged care.
The program is structured to meet the requirements of ACN’s Nurse Executive Capability Framework supporting nursing executives to continue in the health and aged care industry as they navigate the current health care landscape and strengthen their knowledge and influence in their existing and future roles.
On successful completion of this program executive nurses will be able to:
- Balance expectations related to operational management and executive leadership;
- Influence, monitor, guide at a strategic level, network, partner, and be across the latest evidence to make decisions;
- Lead the strategy and facilitate implementation; and
- Build capacity in the next leadership level and throughout the organisation.
Successful completion of this six-month program is determined by the participant demonstrating the following:
- Active participation in the four-day face-to-face masterclass (including pre-reading);
- Participation in mentoring;
- Submission of written work demonstrating completion of a high-level project/initiative outlining how you have met the capabilities as outlined in ACN’s Nurse Executive Capability Framework.
Plus, one or more of the following:
- Representation of the nursing profession at a high-level forum;
- Participation in research, a project or quality improvement initiative;
- Publication on a key nursing issue; and
- Participation in an action learning set.
Eligibility criteria
- Be a Pacific Nations Resident.
- Be working in a senior leadership or executive role within the health or aged care system in the Pacific Nations.
- Be available to attend the complete four-day face-to-face workshop 17–20 May 2027 in Melbourne and participate in six months of mentoring and action learning.
Documents required
- Proof of Pacific Nations Residency.
- Current CV.
- A letter from your employer confirming your current employment, length of employment and role.
- A referee letter outlining your manager’s or supervisor’s support for your participation in the program and your ability to meet the requirements of ACN’s Nurse Executive Capability Framework upon completion of the program.
Selection criteria
- Your personal vision on how to transform healthcare and influence government in your country;
- What you would like to achieve from attending the Nurse Executive Leadership program; and
- A self-assessment against the capabilities outlined in ACN’s Nurse Executive Capability Framework, including demonstrated outcomes, achievements, and your ability to lead and influence.
Selection questions
- Describe your vision on how to transform healthcare and influence government in your country.
- Explain what it is that you hope to achieve from attending the Nurse Executive Leadership program.
- Describe how you plan to lead the service, manage performance and plan for the future.
Successful recipient requirements
Each successful recipient will be required to:
- Undertake and complete the approved course or program.
- Meet all attendance, participation and assessment requirements associated with the selected program.
- Provide a written report to the ACN Foundation at the conclusion of your certificate or program outlining how the scholarship has impacted on your professional development and how the program benefited your workplace or community.
Applications
Applications close 11:59 pm AEDT, Sunday 25 October 2026.
