A great Australian; a great leader; a great woman and a proud nurse

Lieutenant Colonel Vivian Bullwinkel AO, MBE, ARRC, ED, FNM was the sole survivor of the 1942 Banka Island massacre. After being shot, Vivian feigned death and survived, only to be taken prisoner for the remainder of World War II.

The Australian War Memorial has agreed (in principle) to locating a commemorative sculpture recognising the life of Lieutenant Colonel Vivian Bullwinkel in the grounds of the Australian War Memorial and the Australian College of Nursing has committed to contributing to a fund to support this worthwhile project.

Will you join us in making this vision a reality?

We’re here for nurses. Will you support us?

Did you know...

...nurses work on the frontline in every health care setting, providing the most face to face clinical care and are likely to be the first and only health professional seen by people in remote communities for both specialist and primary care?

...the nursing workforce is the largest single health profession and for many years has been highly regarded by the public as the most trusted and ethical profession?

...that throughout history, Australian nurses have faced extraordinary challenges (including the COVID-19 pandemic) with empathy, perseverance, personal sacrifice, leadership, courage and fortitude to deliver authentic skilled care?

...nursing care is unequivocally linked to the health and wellbeing of the Australian community?

The ACN Foundation is committed to ensuring Australian nurses have access to educational, research, advocacy and leadership opportunities that will keep them highly skilled and at the cutting edge of health care delivery.

Will you support us in supporting Australian nurses to strengthen Australian health care?





Our campaigns

Scholarships, grants & awards

The ACN Foundation administers and seeks new opportunities to administer scholarships and grants to support Australian nurses. This continues the rich tradition of investing in the nursing profession that was central to the ethos of ACN’s predecessors The College of Nursing and the Royal College of Nursing, Australia.

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Leaving a gift in your Will

You can create a lasting impact on the nursing profession by donating a substantial gift during your lifetime or leaving a gift in your will. Establishing a legacy is hugely gratifying feeling knowing you are making a difference to thousands of nurses across Australia.

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Payroll giving

Did you know that you can get your tax deduction at the time that you make a regular fortnightly donation? A regular donation the amount of a cup of coffee can go a long way to assisting our nurses enhance their professional development and leadership skills. 

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Stay in touch

Join our mailing list to get all the latest information about the ACN Foundation and the work we do in the community.

Latest news and announcements

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Grants and awards

ACN administers a number of grants that have been provided to ACN by our generous benefactors, some of whom have nominated specific eligibility and selection criteria for their awards.

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The Vivian Bullwinkel Project

It is very appropriate that we recognise the life of Lieutenant Colonel Vivian Bullwinkel AO with a commemorative statue on the grounds of the Australian War Memorial. The Australian War Memorial have agreed (in principal) to locating a sculpture in

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ConvaTec scholarship for the Graduate Certificate in Stomal Therapy Nursing

The Australian College of Nursing (ACN) in collaboration with ConvaTec ANZ, and supported by The Australian Association of Stomal Therapy Nurses (AASTN) and The New Zealand Nurses organisation College of Stomal Therapy Nurses (NZNOCSTN), is delighted

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Year in Review 2018 - 2019

ACN’s latest publication captures another action-packed year for the Australian, from influential policy work to ground-breaking initiatives and everything in-between. “Diversity and Difference”, Year in Review 2018-2019 looks back at the latest happ

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Policy Fellow scholarships

Thanks to the support of our Foundation, ACN is offering five individual Policy Fellow Scholarships valued up to $25,000 (including expenses) to its Fellows and Members in 2020. The scholarship are based in Canberra and aim at support nurse leaders a

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Create a legacy

You can create a lasting impact on the nursing profession by donating a substantial gift during your lifetime or leaving a gift in your will. Establishing a legacy is a hugely gratifying feeling knowing you are making a difference to thousands of nur