Alison Walsh

Ms Alison Walsh

Lecturer

Adelaide Nursing School

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

Alison Walsh is a lecturer at the University of Adelaide, in the Adelaide Nursing School. She coordinates the haematology/oncology graduate diploma program for registered nurses, and cancer care and palliative care nursing courses for undergraduate students.

Prior to her appointment at the University of Adelaide, Alison worked as Nurse Unit Manager of a haematology/oncology inpatient ward at the Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH). Alison has extensive cancer nursing experience, working with people with cancer and caring for them throughout this journey. She is experienced with providing care to people undergoing chemotherapy and cancer drug therapies, and with educating patients to recognise complications and manage them safely.

Alison serves as a committee member for the SA Cancer Nurses Society of Australia, an organisation that educates South Australian cancer nurses and advocates for people with cancer. She has provided state-wide training to cancer nurses on the safe administration of cytotoxic drugs and has worked extensively in safety policy and procedure development in this area.

In 2019, Alison completed a Masters of Nursing Science (Oncology). Her research project was entitled, 'an exploration of the factors that influence the implementation of post opioid documentation: a registered nursing perspective'.

Alison is currently undertaking an HDR degree. She is researching the factors influencing the perceived ability of third-year nursing students to confidently engage in difficult conversations with patients with life-limiting illnesses, and their families.

Engaged in research, Alison serves as a peer reviewer for the Australian Journal of Cancer Nursing and has reviewed for Elsevier.

My Research

With an expertise in the lived experience of patients, families and nurses within oncological environments, Alison's research interests include:

  • Improving communication with people that have cancer and life limiting illnesses.
  • Navigating the health care system for people with cancer.
  • Assisting cancer nurses to support cancer patients after they receive difficult news.
  • Chemotherapy and immunotherapy adverse effects management and nursing education.
  • Assisting people with cancer to manage chemotherapy/immunotherapy side effects optimally at home.
  • Caring for people with life limiting illnesses, inclusive of palliative care nursing.
  • Educating undergraduate nurses to care for people with life limiting illnesses.
  • Preparing nursing students to care for dying patients and their families. 

Current Projects

  • Current HDR thesis: educating third year nursing students to confidently engage in difficult conversations with patients who have life limiting illnesses and their families. The aim of this study is to identify missing content in the current undergraduate nursing curriculum and improvements that can be made to it.
  • Experiences of academics who teach into university-based healthcare programs and their responses to changes in their work-life during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Patient journey mapping scoping review

  • Appointments
    Date Position Institution name
    2016 - ongoing Clinical Lecturer (Level B) University of Adelaide
    2013 - 2015 Nurse Unit Manager Royal Adelaide Hospital
    2012 - 2012 Clinical Practice Coordinator Royal Adelaide Hospital
    2008 - 2011 Clinical Services Coordinator Royal Adelaide Hospital
    2007 - 2008 Acting Clinical Services Coordinator Royal Adelaide Hospital
    2006 - 2007 Acting Clinical Nurse & Infection Control Link Nurse Royal Adelaide Hospital
    2004 - 2006 Registered General Nurse Royal Adelaide Hospital
    2003 - 2004 Graduate Nurse Central Adelaide Local Health Network (CALHN)

  • Awards and Achievements
    Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount
    2018 Award Adelaide Nursing School Tierney Prize for Research The University of Adelaide Australia -
    2009 Award Nursing and midwifery excellence awards 2009 The University of Adelaide Australia -
    2006 Award Pearson Prize Winner 2006 (Graduate Diploma Oncology) The University of Adelaide Australia -

  • Education
    Date Institution name Country Title
    2018 University of Adelaide Australia Master of Nursing Science
    2005 - 2007 University of Adelaide Australia Graduate Diploma Nursing Science (Oncology)
    2000 - 2003 University of South Australia Australia Bachelor of Nursing

  • Certifications
    Date Title Institution name Country
    — Registered General Nurse The South Australian Board of the Nursing and Midwifery Australia

  • Research Interests
    Cancer Diagnosis Cancer Therapy Clinical Nursing: Tertiary Nursing Oncology and Carcinogenesis

Program and Course Coordination - Adelaide Nursing School

Postgraduate Program Coordination: 

Postgraduate Course Coordination: 

  • NURSING 7101 - Professional Practice
  • NURSING 7138 - Haematology/Oncology Nursing I
  • NURSING 7139 - Haematology/Oncology Nursing II
  • NURSING 7140 - Haematology/Oncology Nursing Practice

Undergraduate Course Coordination:

  • NURSING 3011 - Cancer Care and Palliative Care Nursing
  • NURSING 2004 - Nursing Older People
  • NURSING 2007 - Health Assessment and Clinical Nursing III
  • Position: Lecturer
  • Phone: 83132994
  • Email: alison.walsh@adelaide.edu.au
  • Campus: North Terrace
  • Building: Adelaide Health and Medical Sciences, floor 4
  • Org Unit: Nursing
Connect With Me
External Profiles