Nicole Vause – Election Statement

I am seeking election to the ACIPC Board of Directors to contribute strategic leadership, clinical expertise, and a commitment to advancing infection prevention and control (IPC) across Australasia. With over two decades of experience in IPC, including my current role as Nursing Clinical Practice Director for Infection Prevention and Control at SA Health, I bring a strong foundation in governance, mentoring, advocacy, and sustainable clinical practice.

My career has focused on building clinician capacity and fostering a culture of excellence in IPC. I have led statewide initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic and post-pandemic reviews of national quality improvement projects, providing South Australian input through developed networks. I have mentored emerging professionals through the ACIPC Mentoring Program and contributed to national standards development, including AS 5182 for vendor credentialing. These experiences have equipped me to envision and articulate the future direction of the College, aligning with ACIPC’s strategic priorities of governance, advocacy, education, member support, and sustainability.

I am a Credentialled Infection Control Professional (Expert level) and hold a Master of Advanced Practice in IPC. My governance experience includes serving on advisory forums and committees, such as the SA Infection Reference Group and the Regional Local Health Network IPC Advisory Forum. I have completed the Australian Institute of Company Directors’ “Reporting to the Board” course, demonstrating my commitment to governance standards.

Advocacy is central to my professional identity. I have represented ACIPC and SA Health in high- stakes environments, including aged care and hospital outbreak responses, and presented at the state level on emotional intelligence, mentoring, and IPC culture change. Nationally, I have promoted quality improvement initiatives and clinical governance in IPC. I am passionate about elevating the voice of IPC professionals and ensuring our work is recognised as essential to public health and safety and that we are considered partners in every healthcare journey.

A key focus of my work has been supporting Infection Control Professionals across South Australia to strengthen IPC programs. This includes mentoring novice clinicians, developing tailored resources, and providing strategic advice to regional and remote services. Empowering ICPs with the right tools, networks, and support is critical to achieving sustainable, high-quality IPC outcomes.

Sustainability in IPC is a growing imperative. I have led initiatives that integrate environmental responsibility with infection control, including PPE management strategies and sustainable operations across primary, acute, and aged care sectors. I am committed to supporting ACIPC’s goal of promoting evidence-based sustainable practices that protect patients, the workforce, and the planet.

As a Board Director, I will bring transparency, accountability, and collaborative leadership. I will advocate for members, support innovative education and credentialling pathways, and contribute to strategic oversight to ensure ACIPC’s long-term success. I believe in mentorship, evidence-based practice, and strong governance to drive meaningful change.

It would be an honour to serve the College and its members, and I am committed to upholding ACIPC’s values of integrity, ethics, openness, and collegiality.