From the President

Athalene Rosborough has worked in the healthcare industry since 1981. Her journey, from first joining the union movement 41 years ago, to becoming a Branch Councillor in 2006, and her belief in the union and the vital role unions have in supporting and protecting Nurses and Midwives and Assistants in Nursing, led her to becoming the ANMF ACT Branch President in 2010.

With this edition of Observations focusing on early career journeys, pathways, and challenges, we sat down with Athalene and asked about her experiences with joining the sector, and the importance the role of the union has played in her career so far.

Why did you join the ANMF?

I was encouraged to join the ANMF over 40 years ago as a student nurse by my work colleagues. I was told the union would help me if I had any trouble with my pay. The union did support me with this, but I only began to fully understand, as a student nurse, the ongoing commitment the union showed to nurses once I started to attend meetings and participate in branch activities.

What specific activities have you enjoyed being involved with through the union?

I have attended many workplace meetings throughout my membership but my first exciting experience as an independent union representative, after many years as a member, was to be part of the selection committee on the first round of the Level 2 Personal Classification process for Registered Nurses and Registered Midwives in the ACT. My role was to ensure that a fair process was followed for the large number of staff who applied in this first round for career advancement. My next biggest interaction as a representative for the union was participating in the working group for the establishment of Nursing and Midwifery Work Level Standards. Over several years, I have also participated in many Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) meetings, monthly Branch Council meetings, Royal Commission hearings, and have also assisted with some individual member activities.

Tell us about your journey to become first a Branch Councillor and then Branch President?

In 2006, a former Branch Councillor suggested I may be interested in joining the Branch Council. At the time, I had no knowledge about what the role was about. My election to Branch Council opened my eyes to a whole different side of the union movement, as well as seeing the many activities the union participates in that influences professional, industrial, and organisational support for Nurses and Midwives, I also developed an understanding about governance, fairness and justice. My role on the Branch Council, along with other Branch Councillors, was to provide governance for the ANMF ACT Branch staff and support the many activities that members benefit from. I was successfully elected to Branch President in 2010. Being able to connect to other state and territory ANMF union representatives at this higher level is both exciting and interesting.

What do you like most about nursing?

I think it’s the variety. I have worked in general medical wards, mental health, midwifery, community care and aged care. I like that nursing offers a huge variety of work experience and that one day is never the same as the next. Throughout my career, I have undertaken further education and challenges to improve my day-to-day practice. Right now, I would encourage any member who has an interest in supporting union activities on either an industrial, professional, or organisational level to talk to a Workplace Delegate or the ANMF ACT staff about what opportunities there may be to participate in specific union activities that help support union members and strengthen the nursing and midwifery workforce.

What does 2022 hold for you?

During 2022, I will continue to work in aged care and support the activities of the ANMF, hoping that we reach a time when we can live with COVID, stay well and have a life as normal as possible. As I work in aged care, I would also like to see 2022 provideing some major changes in aged care staffing, resources and funding to improve the quality of care for all older Australians.