Ms Ellen Yeo1
1Royal Prince Alfred Hosptial, SLHD, Camperdown, Australia, 2Lumorama Studio, Crowsnest , Australia
Biography:
Ellen is a Clinical Nurse Consultant in Renal Medicine and Kidney Transplant Research at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (RPA). She leads the development of the ACE Pathway Orientation Programme for Clinical Research Nurses and Midwives to address workforce gaps in clinical trials nursing across Syndey Local Health District.
Ellen is also the Creative Lead for Weathering Blue (supported by Screen NSW), a narrative game exploring nurse burnout and renewal. Her work spans education, mentorship, and system-level reforms to strengthen research nursing across the district and beyond.
Abstract:
Clinical nursing roles across many health systems are under increasing strain due to workforce shortages, expanding responsibilities and ongoing concerns about professional identity. Clinical Research Nurses are particularly affected. Despite their central role in delivering research and patient care, their contributions are often poorly understood and inconsistently supported. In this context, deliberate advocacy for nursing scope, identity and wellbeing has become essential.
This presentation outlines a nursing advocacy approach delivered through 2complementary initiatives: the ACE Pathway (Advancing Career and Education Pathway for Clinical Research Nurses and Midwives) and Weathering Blue.
The ACE Pathway is a structured, district-led framework designed to strengthen capability, role clarity and career development for Clinical Research Nurses and Midwives. It addresses longstanding gaps in orientation and professional recognition, enabling nurses to clearly articulate their scope and value within clinical research. Early implementation within Sydney Local Health District has demonstrated improvements in confidence and cross-site professional connection.
Weathering Blue is a separate, independent creative work developed by Ellen Yeo. Presented as a narrative game, it explores burnout, boundaries and renewal in nursing through storytelling and art. The project gives voice to emotional experiences that are often unspoken and invites broader audiences to engage with the hidden labour of nursing. for more infomation please visit https://weatheringblue.com/.
Together, these initiatives illustrate how structured frameworks and creative narrative can reinforce nursing identity, visibility and sustainability within contemporary research environments.