Director of Education, Nursing and Midwifery, Monash University

Julia joined Monash Nursing and Midwifery in 2010 following 15 years of emergency nursing experience.  Julia is the Director of Education for Nursing and Midwifery at Monash, and leads the emergency nursing postgraduate unit NUR5926, Emergency Nursing 2.

Julia maintains her emergency nursing expertise, working as a Senior Research Fellow at Monash Health, and is the Executive Director for the College of Emergency Nursing Australasia (CENA), and Victorian CENA Branch President.

Julia leads two programs of research. The first is focused on health workforce, in particular, preparation for practice, simulation in teaching, transition to speciality practice, and management of occupational violence in healthcare. The second program is focused on the patient experience in the emergency department, in particular, patient flow models. She has had more than 40 research papers published and has supervised 19 students to completion of PhD, Masters, and Honours research degrees.

A woman who inspired you and why?

My first manager, a registered nurse, was an excellent leader and mentor.  Early in my career, she selflessly moved me to the Emergency Department in another hospital, knowing I would thrive there.  I have adopted this ‘person first’ leadership approach, even if it means stretching people beyond their comfort zones.

What achievements are you the most proud of?

I am so proud of the Monash Nursing and Midwifery team that guided 1,750 students to complete more than 550,000 hours of clinical placement during 2020 lockdowns and outbreaks.  The support we provided meant that the majority of students were able to progress through their course as planned, and all final year students have completed and are commencing employment across Victorian health services.