Professional Boundaries: Good Nurse. Bad Boundary.
Why Good Intentions Can Still End Careers21-23 Apr 2026 | Gold Coast | 18 CPD HRS
what this Event is about
This conference will surprise, confront, and enhance your understanding of professional boundaries.
For over 20 years, Dr McIntosh has been supporting health professionals who have faced complaints for transgressing professional boundaries. The transgression may have involved patients or colleagues.
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.
“Made you really think about what we actually do & maybe shouldn’t.“
– Caryn, Shifting Sands of Healthcare, Iceland 2025
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)
“It was great to look at this topic through a nurse’s eyes and the challenges that we face in the workforce on a daily basis, regarding how we treat others.”
– Sharon, Shifting Sands of Healthcare, Iceland 2025
Our Presenters:
Dr Wendy McIntosh
RGN, RMHN, Grad. Dip MH, MN, Cert IV Workplace Assessment & Training, Group Leadership Cert, MRCNA, MANZCMHN, AANZPA
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.
Sue Walker
RN, BN, BN (ADMIN), MPHC, MACN Specialist Nurse Educator Sue is the director and co-founder of the Nurses for Nurses Network. Sue is a key contributor to the online education platform Nursing CPD – a Continuing Professional Development platform to assist Nurses in meeting their annual CPD requirements.
Conference Program:
DAY ONE
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
DAY TWO
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
DAY THREE
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?
The Venue:
Robina Events Centre
Robina Tafe Campus
94 Laver Drive, Robina QLD 4226
CBus Stadium Car Parking | Centreline Pl, Robina QLD 4226
Guests are encouraged to use the CBus Stadium car park located under the Vue development, off East Lane, Robina.
The car park is open from 0600 to 1800.
Cost: $5.00 per day
Click to see directions >>
Parking at TAFE Queensland Robina Campus | 94 Laver Drive, ROBINA QLD 4226.
There is limited parking available on-site at the Robina Campus, which is allocated for TAFE students, staff and visitors. Parking is subject to availability at the time of parking.
Vehicles must be parked in spaces identified by the TAFE Queensland logo and registered using the EasyPark app. Vehicles will be fined by the car park management company for non-compliance.
Street Parking
Street parking is limited and subject to time restrictions.
Things to do During your Gold Coast Visit
Something to do for everyone
The attractions of the Gold Coast bring smiles to people of all ages and stages. With exhilarating rides, exotic animals and endless waterslides to help you cool off on hot summer days, your Gold Coast holiday offers a full spectrum of interactive entertainment - from dazzling big budget Gold Coast theme parks to small, hilariously kitsch museums.
Amusements and Theme Parks
The Coast’s kid cred is already world-renowned – theme parks rise from the sand and sea. Jump into cute, cuddly and roaring wildlife encounters; worlds built entirely for those that bounce; and ice creameries serving up sugar highs from just about every corner.
Need some retail therapy?
The Gold Coast shopping scene is vast - from discount factory outlets to high-end designer boutiques and everything in between.
Who doesn't love a good dose of retail therapy?
Enjoy some fabulous food
The Coast is a place where night bites, hatted restaurants, street eats and breweries are all served with a side of alfresco. A place where five-star feasting means dusting the sand from your feet; where surfers swap their boards for a latte at sun-up and little ones break from beachside frolics to feast on epic spreads of fish and chips.
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
Use coupon code NCPDREF to get a 20% discount.
