The Australian College of Mental Health Nurses is pleased to announce Monica Taylor from St John of God Murdoch Hospital, and Professor John Hurley from Southern Cross University as vice-presidents of the Board.

Mrs Taylor and Professor Hurley are long-term members of the College, bringing a breadth of knowledge and experience to the leadership of the ACMHN.

“I am delighted that both these highly qualified and experienced colleagues were elected to vice-president positions. I have no doubt Mrs Taylor and Professor Hurley will exercise their responsibilities with distinction,” ACMHN President Professor Mike Hazelton said.

“Mrs Taylor brings a great deal of high-level health care leadership and governance know-how to the Board and being in Western Australia, brings a perspective from other than the east coast to Board discussions. Professor Hurley brings considerable clinical and academic expertise to the Board.”

Mrs Taylor has been the chair of the WA Branch of the ACMHN since 2018. She has held leadership roles for the past 15 years including clinical, project management, clinical redesign, nursing, and hospital administration, and is currently Deputy Director of Nursing Mental Health at St John of God Murdoch Hospital.

As Board vice-president, Mrs Taylor said that she was committed to creating opportunities for MHNs and solidify the respect the profession deserves.

“I’m excited to work with a strong, committed Board to progress the profession to deliver on the total care needs for people who have mental health requirements,” Mrs Taylor said.

Professor Hurley brings over 30 years’ experience as a mental health practitioner to his new position as vice president. He is currently a professor at Southern Cross University and works clinically at headspace Coffs Harbour as a Credentialed Mental Health Nurse.

Professor Hurley said that he was very honoured to be a vice-president of the College’s Board, and that he was determined to put every effort into making a difference for MHNs.

“My focus at this time is to have MHNs being seen at the forefront of mental health reforms and to have our scope of practice being recognised from primary care through to in-patient settings. I am equally focused on promoting direct entry for those wanting to be a MHN and on widening postgraduate opportunities for Registered Nurses to become credentialed,” Professor Hurley said.

“As a professional organisation, we are very fortunate to have these two committed colleagues as vice presidents. I am very much looking forward to working with them,” Professor Hazelton said.

For further comment, please contact ACMHN President, Dr Mike Hazelton on 0448 121 012 or at president@acmhn.org