From loss and resilience to literary triumph — nurse and author Rhonda McCoy opens up about her life and debut novel Crow. Plus, we peer into the world of cyber and financial security — and why nurses could be the next big targets.

The latest Nursing Australia News (04:35) Aussie CDC, Nursing Emergency, Lung screens, and Festival of Nursing 2026

Segment 1: THE CROW (06:55)

Segment 2: STOLEN: Understanding Financial Crime (41:30)

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KEEPING SAFE ONLINE!

GRAB A COPY of Rhonda McCoy's novel CROW

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Click here to get in touch with Nursing Australia (send a text for free from anywhere in the world) #askusanything

Higher Ground is an essential guide for healthcare leaders, providing practical...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Hosted & Produced by: Matthew St Ledger & Leith Alexander
Produced by: Leith Alexander & Matthew St Ledger

A content note for Australian listeners: this episode discusses suicide and domestic violence. If you need support at any time, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732. For international listeners: Please see links below for global crisis support services, or Google ‘crisis support’ in your area.

The latest Nursing Australia News (00:00) Chronic gaps, tackling health challenges in Berlin, and Trump pharma tariffs.

Segment 1: DV (00:00) Domestic violence remains a pervasive issue in our communities, with incidents occurring at increasingly alarming rates. As health professionals, how do we recognise the signs—and what referral pathways exist for our patients, and for ourselves?

Segment 2: Suicide Prevention (00:00) Health professionals are not only on the frontline of suicide prevention for patients — they’re also part of a higher-risk group themselves when it comes to suicide and suicidal ideation. This is everybody’s business. So, what do we still need to learn, improve and do better in this space? RN Esther Sole joins us to explore exactly that.

Handy Links:

Nurse Midwife Health Program Australia

APNA Workforce Survey - Have YOUR SAY!

DV Alert Australia

FLORENCE App by APNA

Subscribe to The Connect (our weekly newsletter)

Global Crisis Support Contacts:

AUS: https://www.lifeline.org.au/131114/

AUS: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/

USA: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

UK: https://www.samaritans.org/

NZ: https://www.samaritans.org.nz/

SOUTH KOREA: http://www.counsel24.com/

INDIA: https://icallhelpline.org/

PHILIPPINES: https://doh.gov.ph/NCMH-Crisis-H

Click here to get in touch with Nursing Australia (send a text for free from anywhere in the world) #askusanything

Higher Ground is an essential guide for healthcare leaders, providing practical...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Hosted & Produced by: Matthew St Ledger & Leith Alexander
Produced by: Leith Alexander & Matthew St Ledger

Episode 90: Breathing New Futures

The latest Nursing Australia News (03:00) Global nurse equity, Aussie prescribing breakthrough, and tap water fentanyl scandal.

Happy Birthday Matthew! (04:30)

Lung Cancer Screening (05:55) Lung cancer is still Australia’s leading cause of cancer death, but a new national screening program promises to shift the landscape. So, what does this mean for practice, and how can nurses prepare to support patients through it? Matt speaks with Mel Laan, the Lung Cancer Nurse Consultant from Royal Adelaide Hospital, to find out.

Sam - the APNA Nurse Scholar (16:15) APNA Nurse Scholar Sam takes us inside her journey — from the wards of Australia to a global classroom in London. We’ll hear what she learned, what inspired her, and how the experience is shaping her nursing practice.

This episode is sponsored by Health Professionals Bank. It takes passion and dedication to be a healthcare professional. Every day you go above and beyond to treat, care for and help others in their time of need. That’s why at Health Professionals Bank, we believe you deserve a bank that cares about you and helps keep your finances healthy throughout your life.

(Membership, responsible lending criteria and Terms and Conditions apply. Health Professionals Bank is a division of Teachers Mutual Bank Limited ABN 30 087 650 459 AFSL/Australian Credit Licence 238981.)

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✨ Give Matt a birthday gift! Like & follow in Insta @saintmedaesthetics SAINT Medical Aesthetics Facebook; LinkedIn;

National Lung Cancer Screening Program | Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

National Lung Cancer Screening Program – Healthcare provider toolkit | Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

Lung cancer screening resources | Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

Click here to get in touch with Nursing Australia (send a text for free from anywhere in the world) #askusanything

Higher Ground is an essential guide for healthcare leaders, providing practical...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Hosted & Produced by: Matthew St Ledger & Leith Alexander
Produced by: Leith Alexander & Matthew St Ledger