The Oak September 2026
Welcome to the September issue of The Oak.
It is incredible how quickly this year has gone. As we move into the final months of 2026, there is certainly plenty happening across ACORN and I am excited to share some of the developments with you.
Our new board has now held its first official meeting and it is full steam ahead as we work together to shape ACORN’s strategic direction and priorities for the future.
One of our first exciting initiatives is the board’s decision to reinstate ACORN’s research grants. Three $5,000 grants will be available, with applications opening in October. Further information, including application details and eligibility criteria, will be available on the ACORN website in the coming weeks. I am particularly excited to see the research and innovation these grants will support across our profession.
This month, I will be representing ACORN and IFPN in Kuala Lumpur, where I will be involved in discussions around global standardisation, leadership and safety in the operating room. I am also looking forward to connecting with Turkey’s perioperative nursing leader, providing a valuable opportunity to share experiences and strengthen international relationships.
I will also be meeting with members of IFPN to discuss international standards and opportunities to enhance our engagement with the International Nurses Association (INA) and the World Anaesthesia Congress. Building strong international connections is an important part of ensuring that ACORN continues to contribute to and learn from the global perioperative community.
Another important area of work has been our involvement in the Australian College of Critical Care Nurses’ staffing review, which was completed last month. Following this work, ACORN and ACCCN will meet shortly and continue to meet regularly.
While our organisations represent different specialty areas, it has become clear that we share many common challenges and opportunities. Workforce sustainability, professional development, credentialling, education, advocacy and supporting nurses to deliver high-quality patient care are priorities for both organisations.
ACCCN and ACORN believe there is real value in sharing our ideas, experiences and expertise and in exploring opportunities for collaboration on issues of mutual interest. By working together, we can strengthen our collective voice and contribute to positive outcomes for nurses, our professions and, most importantly, the patients and communities we care for.
I have also had the opportunity to meet with the local association presidents to discuss future endeavours and provide an update on current activities. It was a very eventful meeting with many opportunities to strengthen the profession.
There is a great deal happening across ACORN and I look forward to keeping you informed as our work progresses. Thank you for your continued support, commitment and contribution to perioperative nursing.
Tracy Kerle
ACORN President
Supporting implementation of The ACORN Standards
Have you seen the SSQCPE standard-specific update videos available on The ACORN Standards 2026 resource page?
These videos provide a practical overview of the key updates and changes within the 2026 edition of The ACORN Standards, supporting perioperative teams to understand what is new and how the changes may apply to practice.
The videos are already attracting interest beyond Australia, with views recorded from 15 countries:
- Australia
- India
- Nigeria
- New Zealand
- United States
- Kiribati
- Mexico
- Hong Kong
- Papua New Guinea
- Philippines
- Solomon Islands
- Bulgaria
- Cyprus
- Malta
- Portugal
While The ACORN Standards are developed specifically within the Australian context, it is encouraging to see the supporting education and resources being accessed by an international audience.
View the SSQCPE update videos:
ACORN Standards 2026 resource page
Your questions answered
The ACORN FAQ page has also been updated, bringing together the most common enquiries received over the past 3 years relating to:
- The ACORN Standards
- Practice audit tools
- Clinical practice and general clinical matters
- Best-practice recommendations
- Auditing procedures
- Specific clinical guidelines
The FAQ has been developed to provide clear and concise answers to common questions, supporting clinicians, educators and health services seeking clarification on the application of the Standards, auditing processes and clinical practice.
If you cannot find the answer you are looking for, the ACORN team is available to provide further assistance.
Explore the FAQs:
ACORN FAQs
Practice audit tools review underway
Work has now commenced on the review and updating of the ACORN practice audit tools.
This review will align the audit tools with the 2026 edition of The ACORN Standards and the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards, while ensuring they remain practical, relevant and usable within contemporary perioperative environments.
The review will consider how the tools can best support health services to identify areas for improvement, monitor compliance, provide evidence of practice and contribute to effective clinical governance.
Further updates on the revised practice audit tools will be provided as this work progresses.
Continuing to support clinical excellence
The clinical excellence portfolio continues to focus on providing practical resources that support the implementation, application and ongoing review of The ACORN Standards in perioperative practice.
The continued uptake of the educational videos, FAQs and supporting resources demonstrates the value of accessible resources that help translate standards and evidence into practice, both within Australia and among those accessing ACORN resources internationally.
Abstract
For four decades, the Journal of Perioperative Nursing has helped strengthen the research and evidence-based culture of our specialty. In its pages, perioperative nurses have shared audits of practice, evaluated innovations in patient care and built the methodological confidence of a discipline that once drew heavily on tradition and craft knowledge. The journal has also turned that lens on itself, publishing work on what drives evidence use by Australian perioperative nurses1 and what helps or hinders compliance with evidence-based practice in perioperative settings2.
This is worth celebrating. The question, ‘What does the evidence say?’, is now part of everyday conversation in anaesthetic bays, operating rooms and recovery units in a way that would have been unusual a generation ago.
Read the full article
ACORN’s work is supported by seven state and territory perioperative nursing associations (the local associations or LAs).
While each of the associations retains its own integrity and independence, together we find strength in unity to provide professional leadership in perioperative practice and the advancement of safe, quality perioperative nursing care for Australians.
ASIORNA 2026 Conference
23–25 October 2026, Bangkok
PIORNA 2026 Conference
10–12 November 2026, Nadi
NSWOTA 2027 State Conference
11–12 March 2027, Wollongong
NTPNA 2027 State Conference
16–17 April 2027, Stuart
ACORN 2028 International Conference
24–27 May 2028, Victoria