Samantha Walsh | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

Samantha Walsh is an experienced nursing lecturer at the University of the Sunshine Coast and has been educating undergraduate nurses since 2010. She has experience in tertiary and regional health services in New South Wales and Queensland and has made practice changes and quality improvements. After completing her studies at Wollongong University, Samantha moved to regional Queensland in 2005, where she spent 15 years refining her skills in advanced emergency care practices in the Emergency Department.

Samantha played a crucial role in changing handover practice by implementing evidence-based research, developing Paediatric Advanced Life Support training program for health staff in the regional health service, and was instrumental in implementing Broslow trolleys throughout the hospital. Her primary interests revolve around teaching and learning with undergraduates and health professionals at all levels, strongly emphasising patient safety and advocacy for peers and patients.

In her pursuit of enhancing patient safety, Samantha designed coursework that incorporated 'speaking up for safety' in a simulated hospital environment. This innovative approach aimed to prepare first-year students for their initial clinical placement. The lesson plan, developed in collaboration with the academic team, underwent evaluation, and the findings were subsequently published.

Samantha's unwavering commitment to nursing education and patient safety shines through her work, showcasing her dedication to improving the quality of healthcare delivery. She is a member of the College of Emergency Nursing Australasia, Australasian Nurse Teachers, and the Australian College of Nursing.