Welcome to our SEPTIC special. In Part One, THE MOTHER, Mary Steele shares her life-changing encounter with sepsis. In Part Two, THE CLINICIAN, Brett Abbenbroek guides us through the vital knowledge that can help save lives from sepsis.

The latest Nursing Australia News (04:10) Dangerous age bias, Queensland’s workforce crumble, and Florida’s very own fake nurse fiasco.

Segment 1: THE MOTHER (06:25)

Mary Steele tragically lost her young son to organ failure as a result of infection - or so she thought. It wasnt til years later, that a doctor told her the organ failure was actually due to sepsis, and that her son’s death was preventable. Mary shares her story with us.

Sepsis Australia , @steelemaclaire

Segment 2: THE CLINICIAN (21:40)

In part 2 of our septic special, Brett Abbenbroek gets into the nitty gritty – the facts, the stats and the steps we can take when faced with sepsis.

Sepsis Australia

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DISCOVER SOUTHERN CROSS UNIVERSITY (SCU)

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Click here to get in touch with Nursing Australia (send a text for free from anywhere in the world) #askusanything

Hosted & Produced by: Matthew St Ledger & Leith Alexander
Produced by: Leith Alexander & Matthew St Ledger

Click here to get in touch with Nursing Australia (send a text for free from anywhere in the world) #askusanything

Hosted & Produced by: Matthew St Ledger & Leith Alexander
Produced by: Leith Alexander & Matthew St Ledger

From loss and resilience to literary triumph — nurse and author Rhonda McCoy opens up about her life and debut novel Crow. Plus, we peer into the world of cyber and financial security — and why nurses could be the next big targets.

The latest Nursing Australia News (04:35) Aussie CDC, Nursing Emergency, Lung screens, and Festival of Nursing 2026

Segment 1: THE CROW (06:55)

Segment 2: STOLEN: Understanding Financial Crime (41:30)

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KEEPING SAFE ONLINE!

GRAB A COPY of Rhonda McCoy's novel CROW

APNA Workforce Survey - Have YOUR SAY!

APPLY TO BE PART OF FESTIVAL OF NURSING 2026

HOST A NURSING STUDENT AT YOUR WORKPLACE

Click here to get in touch with Nursing Australia (send a text for free from anywhere in the world) #askusanything

Higher Ground is an essential guide for healthcare leaders, providing practical...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Hosted & Produced by: Matthew St Ledger & Leith Alexander
Produced by: Leith Alexander & Matthew St Ledger

A content note for Australian listeners: this episode discusses suicide and domestic violence. If you need support at any time, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732. For international listeners: Please see links below for global crisis support services, or Google ‘crisis support’ in your area.

The latest Nursing Australia News (00:00) Chronic gaps, tackling health challenges in Berlin, and Trump pharma tariffs.

Segment 1: DV (00:00) Domestic violence remains a pervasive issue in our communities, with incidents occurring at increasingly alarming rates. As health professionals, how do we recognise the signs—and what referral pathways exist for our patients, and for ourselves?

Segment 2: Suicide Prevention (00:00) Health professionals are not only on the frontline of suicide prevention for patients — they’re also part of a higher-risk group themselves when it comes to suicide and suicidal ideation. This is everybody’s business. So, what do we still need to learn, improve and do better in this space? RN Esther Sole joins us to explore exactly that.

Handy Links:

Nurse Midwife Health Program Australia

APNA Workforce Survey - Have YOUR SAY!

DV Alert Australia

FLORENCE App by APNA

Subscribe to The Connect (our weekly newsletter)

Global Crisis Support Contacts:

AUS: https://www.lifeline.org.au/131114/

AUS: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/

USA: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

UK: https://www.samaritans.org/

NZ: https://www.samaritans.org.nz/

SOUTH KOREA: http://www.counsel24.com/

INDIA: https://icallhelpline.org/

PHILIPPINES: https://doh.gov.ph/NCMH-Crisis-H

Click here to get in touch with Nursing Australia (send a text for free from anywhere in the world) #askusanything

Higher Ground is an essential guide for healthcare leaders, providing practical...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Hosted & Produced by: Matthew St Ledger & Leith Alexander
Produced by: Leith Alexander & Matthew St Ledger