Nursing Leadership Group

The Nursing Leadership Group (NLG) is the recognised voice of aged care nursing. We have a collective, consistent and strong voice.

Providing nursing leadership – and ensuring that Registered Nurses in aged care are supported to work to their full potential – is one of the most important things we can do to improve health and wellbeing of older New Zealanders.

Why is having an ARC Nursing Leadership Group important?

Registered nurses in aged residential care work in partnership as an essential part of the health system to deliver better health outcomes for New Zealanders.
Registered nurses in aged residential care provide a full spectrum of complex clinical assessment and care, including hospital-level care, dementia care and palliative care
A highly functioning aged residential care sector reduces the pressure on the public health system and prevents admissions to public hospitals.
Registered nurses in aged residential care improve the quality of life and clinical care for older New Zealanders.
Registered nurses lead multi-disciplinary clinical health teams that provide care to the highest standard for New Zealand’s older and more vulnerable population and support services teams in aged care.
Specialised aged care nursing offers a career development pathway. Our nurses need equal access to professional development and training, equal pay and equal conditions.
New Zealand needs to attract more specialist nurses into aged residential care now and in the future to meet the complex needs and increasing demand of an ageing population.
Older New Zealanders have a right to specialised clinical care by Registered Nurses.

ACA Nursing Leadership Group

Wendy Rowe

Facility manager of Waihi Lifecare

Wendy has worked in ARC in a variety of leadership, management, clinical and education roles. She has been an academic staff member for a tertiary provider and has always had a passion for older persons health which is resident focused.

Ann Coughlan

Manager of Pohlen

Ann has many years of experience and demonstrated success within the health sector. Highlights include founding what is now the College of Emergency Nursing and instigating the No One Dies Alone initiative in Mercy Parklands. Ann continues to work towards improving palliative care in ARC.

Lynda Irvine

Head of Clinical Services of Summerset Group

Lynda has over 30 years’ experience as an RN working with older people in a range of settings from community support to DHBs and ARC. Lynda is passionate about maximising independence, quality of life and participation for older people.

Anna Blackwell

Owner and manager of Cook Street Nursing Care Centre

Anna has held many varied clinical leadership positions, has been an expert advisor to the Health and Disability Commission and also provides nursing leadership and coaching.

Sam Powell

General Manager Clinical and Residential Services Ryman Healthcare

Sam is an experienced nursing professional with a strong background in clinical practice and leadership; she has successfully led healthcare teams in various settings. Aged care and workforce development are particular passions, and Sam is committed to supporting the workforce to provide excellent, resident-centered care while improving efficiency. Her combination of clinical knowledge and leadership skills helps her lead teams to create and implement innovative solutions to enhance resident outcomes.

Cheyne Chalmers

Cheyne’s previous roles include Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer at Monash Health, Director of Nursing at Capital & Coast DHB, and Chief Executive of Ryman Healthcare.

Tanya Bish

Summerset

Tanya Bish has worked in public and private aged care services and more recently in the retirement village sector. Her career has focused on promoting the health of older people living in residential aged care. A NZ trained nurse, Tanya holds a Commerce Degree and a Masters in Nursing. She is particularly interested in equitable, sustainable models of care that promote quality of life for residents and whānau.

Strengthening nursing leadership – and ensuring that aged care nurses are enabled to work to their full potential – is one of the most important things we can do to improve health and wellbeing.
Aged care nurses deliver a continuum of care for New Zealanders. We work in partnership as an essential part of the health system to create better health outcomes.
The residents in our care have increasingly acute conditions and we are a primary provider of palliative care.
Registered nurses lead the healthcare team in aged care. We need more nurses in the aged care sector to bolster the national healthcare system.
Educating and utilising nurses to their fullest potential makes economic sense. It reduces the need for hospital beds and increases quality of care and health.
Aged care is a nursing specialism with a career development path. Our nurses need equal access to professional development and training, equal pay and equal conditions.