Reshma Jayesh
12 May 2025: The 91¿´Æ¬ÉñÆ÷’s Dr Aisling Smyth was awarded ACT Nurse of the Year for 2025 at the recent ACT Nurses and Midwives Excellence Awards, organised by ACT Health in the lead-up to International Nurses Day today.
The annual awards celebrate outstanding nurses and midwives for their service and contribution to the profession.
An Associate Professor of Nursing at the Faculty of Health’s School of Nursing and Midwifery, Dr Smyth was recognised for her exceptional leadership in nursing education and research at both the School and the Centre for Ageing Research and Translation (CARAT).
She is passionate about educating the next generation of nurses and rising nurse leaders within the region, as well as supporting emerging nurse-scientists.
Head of School Professor Jenny Weller-Newton received the award on behalf of Dr Smyth.
Dr Smyth’s research focuses on improving outcomes in aged care, optimising the wellbeing of healthcare workers , promoting geriatric nursing as a specialised career path, and translating evidence into practice to create meaningful change in the ACT healthcare system.
Her extensive publication record and strategic focus on aged care quality and safety highlight her commitment to evidence-based practice.
A passionate advocate for the importance of nursing-led research, Dr Smyth was buzzing with excitement at receiving the award – while humbled by the recognition.
“Winning this award is deeply meaningful, as it validates the importance of nurses and nursing research in improving healthcare outcomes. It is recognition of the crucial bridge between academia and clinical practice. I'm humbled that my peers value my commitment to nursing education, evidence-based practice and building research capacity among nurses in the ACT region,” she said.
What motivates Dr Smyth to pursue her nursing journey, and make a meaningful difference through her research and teaching?
One factor is her drive to highlight the diversity of options in nursing, and the opportunities to impact aspiring nursing professionals. She urges them all to think beyond traditional perspectives.
“Nursing offers incredible opportunities to make a real difference in people's lives, every day. The profession provides diverse career paths – from clinical care to research, education, and leadership. My journey has shown me that nurses are powerful advocates for change and innovation in healthcare,” Dr Smyth said.
“If you're passionate about helping others and committed to lifelong learning, nursing will challenge and reward you in ways that few other professions can. The impact you'll have on individuals and communities will be your greatest achievement.”
Dr Smyth actively promotes the translation of research into practice, as evidenced by her successful partnerships with industry partners, aged care providers across the region and her work with .
Her expertise in sleep health, digital health solutions, the gerontological workforce and person-centred dementia care has led to practical improvements in local aged care settings.
She is also co-investigator on the $6 million Clinical Placements with Older People (CPOP) project 2.0 team, led by Professor Kasia Bail. Through Dr Smyth’s research at CARAT, she has established strategic research collaborations that ensure evidence-based practices are effectively implemented across the ACT healthcare system and beyond.
Photo: ACT Health Facebook and supplied.