About us
Vision
ACORN Queensland Inc. is the professional perioperative nursing association, facilitating and promoting excellence in safe patient care for all Queenslanders.
Mission statement
To engage and empower our members to advance and promote excellence in perioperative practice through all professional standards.
Our purpose is 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.
ACORN Queensland history
Our organisation was formerly known as the Perioperative Nurses Association of Queensland (PNAQ) and originally formed in 1972 with only a few members. PNAQ was one of the state perioperative nursing associations that was involved in organising the national conference in 1977 out of which the Australian College of Perioperative Nurses (ACORN) was born. In 2015, a decision was made to work towards amalgamating the various regional branches around Queensland into one state body. This vision came to fruition in October 2017 when we officially became known as the ACORN Queensland. We currently have over 850 members who work in perioperative facilities throughout the state.
ACORN Queensland Life Members
Members who have made an outstanding contribution to the perioperative nursing profession and their local association are awarded life membership. The following are life members of ACORN Queensland (formerly PNAQ).
Kim Armstrong
Linley Bates
Brigid Gillespie
Judith Hewett
Lynette Hill
Eleanor Irwin (dec.)
Joy Jensen
Jo-Ann McNaughton
Ruth Melville
Heather Moon
Cheryl O'Brien
Narelle Sommerfeld
Wenda Young (dec.)