Professional Boundaries: Good Nurse. Bad Boundary.
Why Good Intentions Can Still End Careers08-10 Nov 2027 | Adelaide | 18 CPD HRS
what this Event is about
This conference will surprise, confront, and enhance your understanding of professional boundaries.
Professional boundaries are a highly technical interpersonal element between nurses (health professionals) and patients. The intimacy that occurs in the physical, psychological, and emotional space of patient care requires nurses to be constantly aware of their interactions, use of touch, and speech content.
During this conference, you will gain insights into the ease with which transgressions can occur and the costs (emotionally, psychologically, professionally, and financially) that a nurse (or health professional) is left with when a complaint is made against them.
Throughout the conference, you will be given several strategies that you can integrate into your practice to ensure the safety of your patients, colleagues, and yourself is maintained through professional boundaries.
– Linda, Professional Boundaries
Learning Outcomes
At this event, you will:
- Explore the definitions that are used to explain professional boundaries
- Understand the importance of the boundary framework to guide your interpersonal decision-making and actions
- Identify red flags that a boundary transgression has or is about to occur
- Explore the multiple levels/reasons for boundary transgressions
- Identify strategies that you can integrate into your practice to establish, maintain and effectively terminate relationships with patients
You will also learn about
- Nexus between professional boundaries and safe practice
- The nuances and complexities of professional boundaries
- Important foundation stones of professional boundary work
- Understanding the nexus between one’s professional codes and personal choices
- The difference between doing the work one is paid to do and doing the work one wants to do
- Why burnout occurs when our ideals of what we want from a job meets the reality
- The use of Mindfulness Strategies to enhance your professional and personal life
- The importance of effective boundary communication
- Incivility in the workplace – a boundary transgression
- The 5 Cs of the boundary framework
- The concept of transference
- The Drama Triangle
- The Focal Conflict Model
- The 5 Fs of the limbic system and how this plays into professional relationships and boundaries
- Strategies for self-safety
- What to do when you become aware that a colleague has transgressed or is about to transgress a boundary
- In what ways does your organisation support you in professional boundaries education and following a complaint
- Understanding the process once a complaint has been made against you (role of AHPRA, Health Ombudsman, Unions, Professional bodies)
Our Presenters:
Dr Wendy McIntosh
RGN, RMHN, Grad. Dip MH, MN, Cert IV Workplace Assessment & Training, Group Leadership Cert, MRCNA, MANZCMHN, AANZPA
Establishing her own company Davaar Consultancy Training & Development in 2005, Wendy has over 30 years as a health professional (clinical, education and research), twenty-five of those years in mental health. Areas of specific interest and passion for Wendy include: professional supervision, professional boundaries, professional identity, links between childhood trauma and mental illness and workplace bullying.
Wendy has over 20 years as a psychodrama trainee – a life long learning. She is committed to using experiential learning in the work she does with individuals and groups.
Regularly presenting workshops at national & International conferences, Wendy consistently receives feedback on her passion, knowledge and creativity as a presenter & facilitator. Wendy is continually integrating learning and insights she gains from the work she does in professional boundaries.
Wendy has developed internet training tools and education packages for individuals / organisations and delivers webinars for a variety of organisations nationally and internationally. With the assistance of six podcast episodes titled ‘Professional Boundaries’, Wendy is exploring and guiding listeners on their own personal and reflective journey through boundaries.
This series of professional boundaries podcasts has been picked up by the School of Health and Social Care, Edinburgh Napier University to be used in their curriculum. Further podcasts are currently in production.
Wendy was Charter President of the Global Nurses & Midwives Rotary Club. An innovative, diverse and inclusive Rotary Club whose members come from around the world.
davaar.com.au | 0411 385 573
Sue Walker
RN, BN, BN (ADMIN), MPHC, MACN, Specialist Nurse Educator
Sue is an Australian nurse educator, conference director and CPD specialist with extensive experience in clinical practice, leadership, education and public health. She is the Director and Co-Founder of Nurses for Nurses and a key contributor to Nursing CPD, where she helps deliver evidence-based education and professional development programs for nurses and midwives across Australia and internationally.
Sue holds qualifications in nursing, health administration and public health, along with postgraduate studies in gerontology, psychiatry of ageing, chemotherapy administration and training and assessment. Her career has included frontline nursing, senior management and education leadership.
At the heart of her work is a simple belief: nurses and midwives are not just the backbone of healthcare, they are critical decision-makers whose knowledge, judgement and advocacy directly influence patient outcomes and system safety. Sue’s goal is to ensure nurses and midwives are supported and professionally empowered to meet the growing complexity of modern healthcare while sustaining long, fulfilling careers.
Conference Program:
Sessions today will include:
- An Introduction to the Importance of Professional Boundaries
- Boundary Definitions: There is Much to Consider
- The Professional Boundary Framework Investigated Further
- The 5 Cs of the Professional Boundary Framework
- Occupational Burnout
- How to Manage Stress and Burnout: The use of Mindfulness Strategies in your Professional and Personal Life
Sessions today will include:
- Reflecting on Content from Day One – Insights, Revelations and Questions
- Red Flags
- Introduction to Collegial Boundary Transgressions
- Incivility and Professional Transgressions
- Diving in Deep to the Reasons for Boundary Transgressions
- Why does Understanding your Professional Codes Matter?
- Exploring Two Case Scenarios and Consolidating the Content from Day One and Two
Sessions today will include:
- Boundary Expectations of Professional Codes
- I was an OHO Complaint Waiting to Happen
- Strategies When you Become Aware that a Colleague is About to or has Transgressed a Boundary
- Reflections and Summary
“Wendy’s sessions made me reflect on my old patterns of care delivery, like physical touch relating to trauma triggers, which is very helpful.” – Yan Shan, Shifting Sands of Healthcare, Iceland 2025
What’s Included
- An extensive Conference program based on current best practice
- Conference Presenters who are excited to be able to share her skill, knowledge, and passion with Conference Attendees
- A Conference pack that includes a notepad, pen, and additional information to support a fantastic Conference experience
- Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea as outlined in the program
- A Conference Transcript that identifies each session held at the Conference including the session synopsis and session presenters
- A Certificate of Completion identifying the CPD hours attached to the Conference Program for you to include in your CPD Evidence Portfolio
Registration Cost
$950.00 inc GST
nEED MORE INFO?
Venue: TBA
Things to do During your Visit
Visit Cenrtal MarkeT
A visit to the Adelaide Central Market is a must while you’re in the city. Operating since 1869, it is one of Australia’s oldest and largest fresh produce markets, home to more than 70 traders.
Wander through the vibrant aisles filled with fresh fruit and vegetables, artisan cheeses, gourmet delicacies, freshly baked treats and multicultural cuisine. It’s the perfect place to enjoy lunch, pick up local produce or simply soak up the lively atmosphere.
South Australian Maritime Museum
Step back in time at the South Australian Maritime Museum in historic Port Adelaide.
The museum showcases the state’s rich seafaring history through interactive exhibits, historic artefacts and fascinating stories of exploration, migration and trade.
Whether you’re interested in tall ships, shipwrecks or the people who shaped South Australia’s maritime past, it’s an engaging experience just a short drive from the city.
Adelaide’s Food Scene
Adelaide has earned a reputation as one of Australia’s premier food destinations.
The city is filled with award-winning restaurants, hidden laneway cafés, stylish wine bars and bustling pubs showcasing the best of South Australian produce. F
rom fresh seafood and premium local wines to multicultural flavours and innovative dining experiences, there’s something to suit every taste. Be sure to leave time to savour the city’s exceptional culinary scene during your stay.
WHAT OUR ATTENDEES HAD TO SAY
[Wendy] was very knowledgeable and engaging. They understood the audience and knew what they were talking about.
Christine
Great venue. Content of the speaker [Wendy] was well researched and presented very well by all the speakers. Excellent learning experience for CPD.
Margaret
I really enjoyed the event. Dr Wendy is a no-nonsense presenter with a good sense of humour and extensive practical and theoretical knowledge of her subjects. She made everything easy to understand but also challenged our thinking in many ways.
Suzanne
I always enjoy Sue Walker's presentations. She is very fabulous at including everyone. I always enjoy Nursing CPD presentations. I’ve been attending since 2011 and have never been disappointed. I look forward to my next adventure in learning and travelling.
Donna
Sue is an outstanding educator. The pace and content of this seminar was fantastic. Participants were encouraged to participate as able. I took away quite a few items for use later.
Janet
I found Sue to be a fabulous instructor. She presented as a knowledgeable and considered expert in her field. The participants were engaged for the whole of the workshops, and I enjoyed and learned much.
Bev
I thought the content would maybe be heavy and yes some sessions were emotive but I was so hooked. The presenters (Wendy and Sue) were very engaging and passionate about the content and their energy was contagious.
Mary
Sue Walker is an amazing presenter and kept me interested, entertained and inspired from start to finish. Excellent information presented in an open and safe environment. Course content all very relevant in a great welcoming and inclusive environment.
Jennifer
[Wendy was] relatable, passionate to deliver the content in an easy-to-understand format with great examples.
Janine
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