Please see Simone Sheridan

Nurses are experts in observing human behaviour, and are often present at the bedside to witness incredibly vulnerable moments. They observe subtle changes, overhear conversations and recognise patterns. These are often moments when key indicators of family violence can be apparent. Despite this, family violence education is rarely included in undergraduate nursing degrees and nurses are often unsure of their role in this space. Recent research indicates that many nurses rate their knowledge of, and confidence in, assisting clients experiencing family violence as low, and few offer a response to patients who disclose violence, beyond passing the information on to other treating team members.

Engaging nurses in recognising and responding to signs of family violence involves empowering them to trust their judgement when noticing key indicators, and supporting them to prioritise the importance of this work amidst other competing time demands. Instituting a lead nurse educator to drive this work at The Royal Melbourne Hospital has been essential in creating positive cultural change within nursing.

Simone Sheridan will share the ways in which her team adapted and tailored training, collaborated with nursing managers and educators to create opportunities for learning, and maintained ongoing connection with nursing staff to keep them inspired and motivated about this area of work. Simone will also highlight the successful establishment of ‘Nursing Family Safety Advocates’ – a clinical champion network who have been instrumental in promoting this work in their units.

Simone’s presentation will be framed by longitudinal research from 2017 - 2021 conducted at Royal Melbourne, demonstrating the impact of this cultural change process.