Mrs Peta Harbour1, Ms Siohban Hooper
1Australian College Of Nursing, Deakin, Australia
Biography:
Peta (PJ) Harbour is a Senior Nurse Advisor at the Australian College of Nursing and a certified LEGO® Serious Play® facilitator. She leads workforce projects, including ACN’s Nursing Pathways initiative, which has consulted almost 800 nurses to better understand career development needs across metropolitan, regional, rural and remote settings. With a background spanning clinical practice, education, regulation and policy, Peta’s work focuses on strengthening career navigation, wellbeing and workforce sustainability. She is passionate about supporting nurses to recognise their strengths, explore new opportunities and build meaningful, long-term careers; particularly in regional, rural and remote communities.
Abstract:
ACN’s Nursing Pathways initiative highlights significant gaps in how nurses access career information, particularly regarding opportunities in regional, rural and remote Australia. Insights from a national consultation with almost 800 nurses show many have limited awareness of the career advantages associated with remote practice, while those already working in MM3 to MM7 settings often lack structured guidance to recognise and build on the advanced skills, autonomy and leadership responsibilities inherent in their roles. These gaps contribute to professional isolation, reduced confidence in career planning, and broader challenges in workforce sustainability.
Nursing Pathways responds by making remote career possibilities visible, evidence-informed and practical. The initiative supports nurses to understand the breadth of experience and accelerated progression available in remote areas, recognise and articulate their transferable skills, and map long-term career development in ways that align with both personal goals and community needs—reframing rural and remote nursing as a career opportunity rich with learning, leadership and impact.
Positioning career navigation as a wellbeing-supportive strategy, the initiative contributes to improved retention and stronger workforce resilience. The resulting insights offer a nationally consistent, future-focused approach to strengthening and sustaining the remote nursing workforce.