A decorated registered nurse who has helped shape nursing education in Australia has been appointed the new Head of the Curtin School of Nursing.
Professor Tracey Moroney, who has worked in higher education for the past 21 years, will succeed John Curtin Distinguished Professor Phillip Della, who is retiring after 14 years at the University.
Curtin University Faculty of Health Sciences Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Archie Clements said he was delighted to announce Professor Moroney’s appointment.
“Professor Moroney joins Curtin with a wealth of experience from the health system as well as the higher education sector, and after having been awarded an Order of Australia Medal for her services to nursing education across the country last year,” Professor Clements said.
“I am absolutely delighted to welcome a leader of Professor Moroney’s calibre to Curtin and look forward to the continued outstanding contribution she will make to helping shape the next generation of nurses, midwives, paramedics and oral health therapists.”
Professor Moroney said she was excited to join Curtin in April, after most recently holding the position of Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health at the University of Wollongong.
“There are many aspects of the new role that I am looking forward to, but working with the team to make Curtin one of Australia’s premier nursing, midwifery, paramedicine and oral health schools is top of my list,” Professor Moroney said.
“I am committed to the development of exceptional nurses who will lead the future workforce and be responsible for a more equitable and healthier future, and I’m so excited to be joining Curtin’s team.”
A former Chair of the Australian and New Zealand Council of Deans of Nursing and Midwifery, Professor Moroney has provided educational leadership to a number of nursing programs with her research focused on teaching, learning and the use of curriculum pedagogies that move beyond traditional teaching approaches.
Last year, Professor Moroney was appointed the Chair of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council RN Accreditation Committee, with responsibility for the accreditation of pre-registration nursing programs throughout Australia.
Professor Clements also acknowledged Professor Della, who has worked at Curtin since 2008 but has played a significant role in nursing for more than four decades. Professor Della is retiring from academia but will continue working as an Independent Reviewer into the Western Australian Nursing and Midwifery Nursing Hours per Patient Day staffing review.
“Professor Della is widely acknowledged as a trailblazer within the nursing profession and we have been so fortunate to have shared in his expertise following his senior roles within the public health system,” Professor Clements said.
“We wish him all the very best in his well-deserved retirement and hope he always knows how much we value the significant contribution he has made to our students, graduates, the University and the nursing profession more widely.”
