VMHPAA Celebrates International Nurses Day with a Tribute to Vocational Excellence in Healthcare
- Shane Warren
- May 11
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 9
MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
12 May 2025
VMHPAA Celebrates International Nurses Day with a Tribute to Vocational Excellence in Healthcare
On this International Nurses Day, the Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association Australia (VMHPAA) honours the extraordinary commitment, skill, and compassion of nurses across the country and around the world.
From aged care to emergency wards, regional clinics to city hospitals, nurses are the lifeblood of our healthcare system. But today, VMHPAA also shines a light on the vital role vocational training has played in shaping Australia’s nursing profession for over a century.
“Nursing is one of the great vocational callings,” said Shane Warren, Chair of VMHPAA. “Many of our most trusted, compassionate, and effective nurses began their journey through vocational education. It’s a reminder that you don’t need a university degree to transform lives, you need skill, heart, and commitment. And vocational training gives you the tools to do just that.”
Australia’s proud tradition of vocationally trained nurses stretches back to the early 20th century when hands-on apprenticeships and technical colleges laid the foundation for the profession. Today, TAFE and other vocational institutions continue to offer critical pathways into nursing, especially in mental health, aged care, disability support, and community-based roles.
“Let’s never forget that vocational pathways into nursing don’t water down excellence, they enable it,” Warren added. “The nurses supporting our most vulnerable citizens, whether in homes, clinics, or crisis services, are often those who’ve trained through vocational routes and bring a unique, people-first perspective to care.”
Susan Sandy, VMHPAA Secretary and a vocationally trained counsellor herself, echoed the sentiment:
“Vocationally trained nurses have long carried the profession through some of its toughest challenges, from public health crises to everyday frontline demands. We owe them more than gratitude, we owe them recognition, support, and investment in ongoing mental health and wellbeing.”
A Call to Value and Invest in the Vocational Nursing Workforce
On International Nurses Day, VMHPAA calls for:
Greater investment in vocational education and training pathways for nurses.
Increased support for mental health initiatives for nursing professionals, especially those working in high-stress or under-resourced areas.
Stronger career pathways for vocationally trained nurses to transition into specialised roles, particularly in mental health care.
Nurses change lives and vocational training helps launch those careers.
Today, and every day, we salute the nurses who show up, stand strong, and care deeply.
About VMHPAA
The Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association of Australia (VMHPAA) is the national voice for professionals with vocational qualifications working in mental health. Representing counsellors, psychotherapists, peer workers, family support practitioners, and others, VMHPAA promotes excellence, advocacy, and ethical standards across all mental health care environments.
Media Contact:
Shane Warren
Chair
VMHPAA
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