ACORN Queensland
Is the professional perioperative nursing association, facilitating and promoting excellence in safe patient care for all Queenslanders.
Enquire Now About Resources & Membership Opportunities!
* The admin and approval process can take up to 30 days
REGIONAL EDUCATION DAY
Join us for the ACORN QLD
Regional Education Day
Ipswich Hospital Auditorium, Level 9 Tower Block
Saturday 28th February 08:00-15:30
Calling all perioperative nurses
Scrub/Scout, Anaesthetics, and PACU.
Join us for a valuable day of learning, professional development, and connection with colleagues from across Queensland.
Ticket prices
• ACORN members: $10
• Non-members: $50
Special offer on the day
Not an ACORN member yet? Sign up at the Regional Education Day for $110 annual membership and receive a $25 gift card as our thank-you for joining the ACORN QLD community.
Register Via Humanitix
by 20th February to secure your spot!
https://events.humanitix.com/acorn-qld-regional-education-day-ipswich-2026
REGIONAL EDUCATION DAY
"TO ENGAGE AND EMPOWER OUR MEMBERS TO ADVANCE & PROMOTE EXCELLENCE IN PERIOPERATIVE PRACTICE THROUGH ALL PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS."
The committee is dedicated to:
- provide a voice for all perioperative nurses in Queensland
- provide a professional network and resources to unite perioperative nurses throughout Queensland
- develop, advocate, lead and nurture perioperative nurses through professional development, education and research opportunities
- provide expert advice to other professional bodies on issues concerning perioperative nursing practice in Queensland
- collaborate with national and international professional bodies on matters pertaining to perioperative nursing practice.
It comprises a group of leaders and experts who collaborate to drive meaningful change and make significant contributions to perioperative nursing in Queensland.
As a committee representative, you will have the opportunity to actively shape the direction and decisions of the committee, influence policy and strategy, and contribute to the advancement of our field.
The committee is composed of volunteers who specialise in perioperative nursing and are passionate about promoting perioperative excellence and education.
Annual General Meeting (AGM) – 10th October 2026 (Venue TBC)
Join the ACORN Qld Committee
Do you want to be involved in promoting excellence in perioperative nursing for the benefit of the community?
Are you committed to promoting the professional and educational interest of nurses engaged in the perioperative nursing?
If yes, then please consider joining the ACORN QLD committee.
MEMBER BENEFITS
Education
- Discounted postgraduate study
- Education course discounts
- Members-only education resources
- Free education webinars every month
Financial Support & Scholarships
- Eligibility to apply for Industry based financial support
- Eligibility to apply for education grants
- Eligibility to apply for research grants
Publications
- Access to the Journal of Perioperative Nursing (JPN)
- Access to The New ACORN Standards
- Access The Oak
Collaboration
- ACORN events
- ACORN Special Interest Groups
- Advocacy
Other Benefits
- Peer recognition and awards
- Professional indemnity insurance (PII)
- Discounts on Wellness Footwear
- ACORN Corporate QANTAS Club
- State and Territory membership related benefits
Honorary Life Membership
The award of Honorary Life Membership is the highest honour that ACORN QLD inc. can bestow upon an individial and is done so in recognition to those who have made an outstanding contribution to the existence or effectiveness of the association or to perioperative nursing during their membership.
Honorary Life Members Will:
- Have their name added to the ACORN QLD Inc. Membership Honour Roll and Published on the ACORN QLD Inc. website.
- Recieve free ACORN QLD Inc. membership for life
- Recieve discounted rates for ACORN QLD Inc. conferences.
- Free attendance to ACORN QLD Inc. professional education meetings.
- Continue to recieve all ACORN QLD Inc. member benefits including subscription to the Journal of Perioperative Nursing.
Nominations can be made via this form.
Current Life Members
- Kim Armstrong
- Linley Bates
- Brigid Gillespie
- Rae Guyder
- The late Eleanor Irwin (2015)
- Judith Hewett
- Lynette Hill
- Joy Jensen
- Joanne McNaughton
- Ruth Melville
- Heather Moon
- Cheryl O'Brien
- Narelle Sommerfeld
- Dorothy Tyrell
- The late Wenda Young (2018)
SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS
Local Area Liaison (LAL)
The Local Area Liaison is a financial member of ACORN Qld interested in representing ACORN Queensland at a local level.
Appointment to the this committee would not only be a recognition of your expertise, but it would also provide you with a platform to network and engage with other influential professionals in the industry.
Your contributions would carry weight and help shape the future of perioperative nursing
Local Area Liaison expectations:
- Maintain financial membership to ACORN Qld
- Subscribe to the values and principles of ACORN Qld
- Represent Acorn Qld within your local area
- Organise one local education day a year ( in conjunction with ACORN committee – no-one expects you to do this alone)
- Promote ACORN Qld and the ACORN standards
Nominate Now
Do you believe that your unique perspective, experience, and dedication would be invaluable to the committee’s work?
Do you have a commitment to excellence and passion for perioperative nursing?
Do you align with the committee’s mission, making you an ideal candidate for this important role?
SCHOLARSHIPS
ACORN QLD is committed to providing funding to assist members in professional development. Linked above is an application and information form about the 2025 grants that are available.
EVENTS
SAVE THE DATE - ACORN QLD Regional Education Day
- SAT, February 28th, 2026 (AEST)
- Ipswich Hospital
- 1 Hour
- November 5th, 2025, 6:30pm (AEST)
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Wide Bay Hospital in Bundaberg is looking for several Clinical Nurses, both full-time and part-time. You will be responsible for providing expert clinical and patient-centred care within the operating theatre. Applications are only accepted online, please see the link for more information and to apply.