11th Conference of the Australian College of Nurse Practitioners (Incorporating NursePrac ED), Alice Springs

About the Donna Diers Oration

Donna Kaye Diers, 1938 - 2013
Donna Kaye Diers was born in Wyoming, USA. Initially she aspired to be a journalist, but then fell in love with nursing. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Denver, a master’s degree in nursing from Yale University, and a PhD from the University of Technology, Sydney (Australia). Dr Diers served as the Dean of Yale University School of Nursing from 1972 to 1985. During this time, she developed the first Graduate Entry Program for people without an undergraduate degree in nursing leading to an advanced practice nursing degree.

Donna was identified with the emergence of clinical nursing research methodologies, and recognized for her work on policy and the politics of advanced practice nursing and midwifery. She received numerous honours for her work, including an honorary doctorate from the University of Wyoming and being named a Living Legend by the American Academy of Nursing.

Donna Diers was introduced to the Australian nurse practitioner (NP) profession in 1994 when she visited New South Wales to advise on the NSW NP pilots projects. Despite her international reputation and heavy workload, she was humble, enthusiastic, supportive, always willing to help, and eager to assist.

In preparation for the inaugural Australian Nurse Practitioner Association (ANPA, now the Australian College of Nurse Practitioners) national conference in Canberra in 2005, Donna was working at Yale University and invited to be our inaugural international keynote speaker. In light of our shortage of funds, she arranged her own travel and accommodation expenses to be with us and open the conference.

She continued to support the nurses of Australia and visited us regularly. Donna passed away in February 2014 but is remembered as a friend and mentor to the ACNP and many individual NPs.

The inaugural Donna Diers Oration occurred in 2014 in recognition of the support, leadership and friendship shown by Donna to the Australian College of Nurse Practitioners and the NP profession.

The Donna Diers Oration honours Donna and her philosophy, culture and spirit by showcasing research excellence relevant to the advancement of the NP role conducted by an Australian Nurse Practitioner. The Donna Diers Oration will be presented annually as a 50-minute keynote oration on the 2nd morning of the Australian College of Nurse Practitioners national conference.

Oration Nomination Requirements
The recipient(s) will be:

An endorsed Nurse Practitioner in good standing (i.e. no reprimands or conditions) with the NMBA
A financial member of the ACNP
The Principal Investigator(s) leading the research

The research will:

Be original research completed within the previous 18 months
Not have been previously presented or published at a state, national or international level
Demonstrate application of excellent research knowledge and skills (see abstract evaluation criteria 1 through 10; should score minimum 4/5)
Make a significant contribution to the Nurse Practitioner profession or practice, for example improve access, acceptability, effectiveness, or efficiency
Demonstrative innovation, a novel approach, unconventional thinking or some other challenging/stimulating aspect likely to stimulate discussion and debate

Process:

Call for nominations open/close with call for abstracts (provide background/links to Donna’s work and Oration)
Nominations including self-nomination open to anyone
Nomination form to include details of nominee and research, names of referees x 2
Recommendation by Scientific Committee which may seek addition information as needed to confirm preferred candidate meets all criteria
Preferred candidate formally invited by President ACNP
Recipient will receive one return economy domestic airfare, accommodation, conference registration and certificate.