18 September 2025

Two innovative workforce and training programs at NALHN have featured on the global stage and confirmed the region’s leading role in staff recruitment and retention.

Nurse educators Zoe Coleman and Jayme Matthews attended the International Council of Nurses congress in Finland in June, showcasing their work to 7000 people.

Their award-winning programs were both South Australian firsts.

The Closer to Home Clinical Placement Collaborative involves several local health networks and helps nursing students find placements nearer to home, reducing transport and accommodation stress.

The initial focus was on nursing students living in northern Adelaide and studying at University. Its success means it will be replicated across South Australia with other Local Health Networks and universities.

The Metro Rural Exchange ran six-month exchanges for early career nurses between NALHN and Yorke and Northern Local Health Network. It will now be extended to include more experienced nurses.

“Learning about global workforce issues confirmed that NALHN’s strategic practices are working,” Zoe says.

“Having your work recognised at an international level was a huge achievement,” Jayme says. “It also made us realise how far we are progressing here.”