Cairns is to host the largest nursing conference of its kind in Australia outside of a major city.

Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN) has persuaded the peak professional body for nurses working in primary health care, the Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA), to bring the event to the tropics in August.

NQPHN Chief Executive Officer Robin Whyte said the organisation was delighted to work with the APNA as well as Health Workforce Queensland which is helping to arrange travel and accommodation for nurses travelling to the conference outside of Cairns.

“More than 200 nurses across our vast area, from as far south as Moranbah, north to the Torres Strait and west to Croydon and Kowanyama, are expected to attend and learn the latest clinical guidance, gain new knowledge to grow the scope of their practices, and discover new ways to provide better patient care,” she said.

“It is critical that nurses in regional and remote areas are given access to the same information, advice, and knowledge as those who work in metropolitan areas.”

APNA President Karen Booth said that nurses could connect with their colleagues from various primary healthcare settings, engage with brands that can help them care for patients and meet experts providing advice.

"Great primary health care starts with great primary health care nurses. The experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic have highlighted just how important a skilled, motivated, and professional primary health care nursing cohort can be,” said Ms Booth.

"APNA's Cairns Conference Roadshow is a wonderful way for nurses from general practice, aged care, community health, schools, and a myriad of other care settings to get together, share experiences, and stay up to date with current best practice in a clinical setting.

“There are a host of sessions for nurses to attend covering topics such as cardiovascular disease prevention, pneumococcal vaccination in older adults, legal issues in primary healthcare nursing, career pathways, the future of aged care nursing, chronic disease management, Indigenous health updates, diabetes management, palliative care, and treatment of wounds.

"APNA’s roadshows are also a lot of fun and a great chance to catch up with old colleagues and to make new friends and help us celebrate our 21^st birthday. We're looking forward to seeing you there."

Practice nurse Rachel Taylor of Clermont Country Practice appreciates being able to attend and to have many of her expenses covered, such as registration, airfares, and hotel accommodation.

She has been a nurse, specialising in aged care for many years, and has been a practice Registered Nurse at Clermont Country Practice for the last 12 months.

Ms Taylor said one of the most difficult parts of working remotely was feeling isolated from your colleagues.

“I think it will be a great opportunity for me to take part in the APNA Roadshow 2022 in Cairns. I am looking forward to meeting other rural remote nurses in similar positions as me,” she said

Ms Taylor was able to access a Health Workforce Queensland Grant to take part in the Transition to Practice program. Her registration for the APNA Roadshow, travel, and accommodation was funded by NQPHN, and arranged by Health Workforce Queensland.

The conference is at the Cairns Convention Centre on 15-16 August.