Nursing & Midwifery
Heather Latham
MN
B SocSci
Dip Nurse Ed
Cert PN
Cert Mid
Cert GN
Position Undergraduate Courses
Manager
Campus Bathurst
Office S14 - Room 6
Phone (02) 6338 4499
Fax (02) 6338 4408
EMAIL HEATHER LATHAM 
General Introduction
Heather Latham is the Undergraduate Courses Manager in the School of Nursing and Midwifery. Heather’s academic career began in 1987 as a lecturer in the School of Nursing and Health Administration at Mitchell College of Advanced Education and in 1989 she transferred to Charles Sturt University. Prior to that Heather worked in the clinical area as a registered general nurse and midwife with a certificate in paediatric nursing. Heather was as a Senior Community Nurse before working for several years as a Nurse Educator at Bathurst District Hospital.
During her career at Charles Sturt University Heather has gained extensive teaching and management experience in curriculum development and review and took a leading role in the development of the double degrees involving nursing. Heather has been Course Coordinator for the Bachelor of Nursing for several years prior to her appointment as Course Manager for the Bachelor of Nursing in the newly formed School of Nursing and Midwifery.
Heather is committed to supporting individuals in rural and remote areas to improve their access to nurse education. She has been actively involved in facilitating partnerships with the Moira Healthcare Alliance, Greater Southern Area Health Service and Greater Western Area Health Service to improve educational opportunities for Enrolled/Division 2 Nurses to enrol in the Bachelor of Nursing by distance education. In 2006 Heather, Margaret Hamilton and Jan Manners were awarded a Carrick Citation: Australian Award for University Teaching for an Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning ,for excellence in the development and evaluation of an outreach model facilitating access and success at university for groups suffering educational and social disadvantage.
Qualifications
- Master of Nursing (USyd)
- Bachelor of Social Science (CSU)
- Diploma in Nurse Education (ACAE)
- Post Basic Certificate in Paediatric Nursing
- Certificate in Midwifery
- Certificate in General Nursing
Teaching Interests
- Primary Health Care
- Child and Family Health
- Gender Health
- Rural and Remote Nursing and Health
Research Interests
- Workplace learning and support
- Barriers limiting university access for rural and remote students
- Child and family health
- Women's health issues
- Rural and remote nurse education
- Distance education
- Thesis Topic: The Relationships Between Parent's Health Beliefs and the Health Care Activities they Provide for their School Aged Child
Research Projects
- 2009 - The Living Curriculum: Bridging the gap between the espoused and the enacted curricula. Charles Sturt University Scholarship in Teaching Fund. $10,000. Professor Elaine Duffy, Heather Latham, Annabel Matheson, Jan Manners, Julie de Sousa, Maryanne Mozer, Lyn Croxon, Jessica Biles. Study in progress.
- 2009 - Developing a Culturally Safe Pilot Program to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students in their Transition to the Bachelor of Health Science (Mental Health)Professor Elaine Duffy, Wayne Rigby, Heather Latham. Application for funding unsuccessful.Study commencing.
- 2008 - The Student Experience: A longitudinal evaluation of the Academic Preparation Workshop – a collaborative outreach pre-enrolment enabling program to support rural and remote Enrolled Nurse’s access to and participation in the CSU Bachelor of Nursing by distance education. Charles Sturt University Equity Enhancement Grant $20,000. Heather Latham, Jan Manners, Judith Anderson. Study complete. Paper being prepared for publication.
- 2007-2008 - A Study of a Regional Nursing Labour Market. The Institute of Land Water and Society, Research Centre Charles Sturt University, $5,000. Parikshit Basu, Heather Latham, Professor John Hicks, Megan Daniels, Richard Sappey. Study complete. Paper submitted for publication.
Memberships
- Fellow to the College of Nursing Sydney
- Member of International Council of Nurses Nursing Education Network
- Member of the International Council of Nurses Rural and Remote Nurses Network
- Member to RCNA, including the Faculty of Rural and Remote Nursing
- Member Charles Sturt University Research Centre - RIPPLE
- Member Charles Sturt University Centre for Inland Health
Professional Activities
- 2009 - Nominated for membership of the National Health Professionals Board of Australia. Nurses and Midwives Board
- 2009 - Member of the International Council of Nurses Nursing Education Network
- 2009 - Invited Reviewer for the International Electronic Journal of Rural and Remote Health, Research, Education, Practice and Policy
- 2009 - Member of the International Council of Nurses Rural and Remote Nurses Network
- 2009 - Member of the working party with GP Logic and the School of Nursing and Midwifery to plan with Bila Muuji (Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation) nursing clinical placements for NRS 194 Indigenous Cultures, Health and Nursing
- 2009 - Member of the School of Nursing and Midwifery Unified Session Model working group for the implementation of the model in 2010
- 2009 - Member of the Charles Sturt University Course Director’s Initiative Working Group Committee Chaired by the DVC Academic.
- 2009 - Member of the Greater Western Area Health Service/Orange City Council, Health Professionals Recruitment Forum. To discuss and develop recruitment strategies to attract health professionals to the region
- 2009 - Member of CENTROC/TAFE NSW Western Institute/Charles Sturt University Learning and Development Forum. To discuss VET to higher education pathway articulations and funding opportunities.
- 2009 - Panel Member for the Selection Committee for the Director of Nursing Broken Hill (Invited for experience in rural and remote nursing)
- 2008–Present - Member of the Nursing Partnerships Project with School of Nursing and Midwifery and Riverina Institute of TAFE to explore articulation pathways. Credit package and articulation pathway of Enrolled 2 Division Nurses into the Bachelor of Nursing currently being finalised.
- 2008 - CSU Leadership for Women Course. Project – Implementing Change in the Work Place
- 2008 - Community Liaison Field Trip to Bourke with staff from the Centre for Indigenous Studies and the Indigenous Studies Support Unit. Promotion of the University and courses to members of a rural community.
- 2008 - Greater Southern Area Health Service/NSW Health Excellence Awards. Western Sector General Manager Award. Diana Knagge, Lyn Day, Heather Latham. In recognition of the partnership between GSAHS and CSU School of Nursing and Midwifery to offer the Bachelor of Nursing by distance education to Enrolled Division 2 Nurses.
- 2007–Present - Member of the School of Nursing and Midwifery Senior Executive Group
- 2007–2008 - Deputy Presiding Officer of the Faculty of Science Exclusion Appeals Committee
- 2007–Present - Member of the Bendigo TAFE/ CSU School of Nursing and Midwifery Partnership to explore Articulation Pathways. Credit package in the final stages of development
- 2008-Present, 2004–2005 - Member of the discussion group with Sydney University Dept of Rural Health Broken Hill to form an Articulation Pathway for students into the Bachelor of Nursing. Discussions ongoing
- 2007-Present - Member of the Health e2 Schools Orange/TAFE NSW/CSU project to develop and implement the NSW HSC Board Endorsed Course in Nursing. Successful accreditation of the course by the Board of Studies NSW and the Nurses and Midwives Board of NSW
- 2006 - Member of the Charles Sturt University/Greater Southern Area Health Service/Moira Nursing Education Consortium nomination in the Business/Higher Education Round Table Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Collaboration with a Regional Focus in Education and Training. Sydney
- 2006, 2005, 2003, 1999 - Member of the Charles Sturt University Foundation Scholarship Interview Committee
- 2005 - Member of the Faculty of Health Studies Faculty Exclusions and Appeals Committee
- 2005–2006 - Member of the School of Nursing and Health Science Scholarships and Prizes Committee
- 2003 - Nominated for the Bathurst Business and Professional Woman Outstanding Woman of the Year Award
- 2002–Present - Member of the Selection and Probationary Review Committees for Lecturers in the School of Nursing and Health Science, School of Nursing and Midwifery, School of Teacher Education and the School of Human Movement Studies. Opportunity for professional development and academic leadership
- 1997-2001 - Member of the Board of Management – Elizabeth Chifley Pre School
- 1992–1995 - Member of the Board of Directors – St Catherine’s Nursing Home, Bathurst
Career Highlights
- 2009 - Faculty of Science Award for Academic Excellence (Teaching Excellence) $2000.
- 2009 - Nominated for the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Teaching Excellence.
- 2008 - CELT CSU Teaching Leader Award for sustained high quality commitment to teaching
- 2007 - Faculty of Science Team Teaching Excellence Award Embedding Information Literacy into the Undergraduate Curriculum.
- 2007 - Team nomination for the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Team Teaching Excellence.
- 2006 - Carrick Citation Australian Award for University Teaching. For excellence in the development and evaluation of an outreach model facilitating access and success at university for groups suffering educational and social disadvantages. $10,000.
Publications
Journal Articles Refereed
- Latham, H., Hamilton, M., Manners, J., & Anderson, J. (2009). An innovative model improving success at university for regional Australians suffering educational and social disadvantage, The International Electronic Journal for Rural and Remote Health Research, Education, Practice and Policy 9:1128 1–7.
- Hicks, J., Basu, P., Latham, H., Daniel, M., Sappey, R., & Tyson, G. (2009). Crossing the Great Divide: A Case Study of a Regional Nursing Labour Market in the Central West of New South Wales, Australasian Bulletin of Labour. In press.
- Kelly, A., Coyle, J., Latham, H., & Corbo Crehan, A. (2009). Cynicism and Emerging Professionals: A cross disciplinary panel discussion. Australian Journal of Professional and Applied Ethics. In press.
- Latham, H., Manners, J., & Anderson , J.(2009). The Student Experience: A Longitudinal Evaluation of an Academic Preparation Workshop. Nurse Education Today. Pending.
- O’Reilly, R., Beale, B., Gilles, D., & Latham, H. (2008). Intervention outcomes of domestic violence screening during pregnancy care: A systematic review. Journal of Interpersonal Violence. In press.
- Latham, H., Giffard, L., & Pollard, M. (2007). University /Health Service Partnership. A Model to deliver undergraduate nurse education in rural Australia. Collegian. 14(1), 5-10.
- Flynn, K., Hickey, N., & Latham, H. (2003). Double Degree Courses Encompassing the Bachelor of Nursing: Educational and Employment Outcomes for Students. Connections, 6(2), 43.
Conference Papers Refereed
- Latham, H., Daniel, M., Hicks, J., Parikshit, B. & Sappey, R. (2009). Crossing the Great Divide: A Study of a Regional Nursing Labour Market in Central West NSW. Paper accepted for Presentation at the Royal College of Nursing Australia Annual Conference, Melbourne, September.
- Latham, H., Manners, J., & Anderson, J. (2009). Overcoming the Barriers: The Experience of Rural and Remote Nursing Students. Paper accepted for Presentation at the Charles Sturt University School of Nursing and Midwifery Education, Research and Practice Conference, Albury, Oct.
- Duffy, E., Latham, H., & Matheson, A. (2009). Primary Health Care: A Nursing Response to Prepare Undergraduate Students for Collaborative Practice in Rural Australia. Paper accepted for Presentation at the Royal College of Nursing Australia, Primary Health Care Conference, Adelaide, Nov.
- Kelly, A., Coyle, J., Latham& H., Roche V. (2009). Idealism is what precedes experience: cynicism is what follows. Invited Panel Member Australian Association of Professional and Applied Ethics 16th Annual Conference, Goulburn, June.
- Latham, H., Duffy, E., & Matheson, A. (2008). Demonstrating Professional Excellence in the Application of a Primary Health Care Framework to Inform and Shape and Undergraduate Nursing Curriculum. Paper presented at the Royal College of Nursing Australia Annual Conference, Perth, WA, Sept
- Matheson, A., Duffy, E., & Latham, H. (2008). Embedding Activities in Online Nursing Education: Ensuring Student Engagement. Paper presented at the Royal College of Nursing Annual Conference, Perth, WA, Sept.
- Latham, H., & Manners, J. (2008). Respecting Individuals as Learners. Paper Presented at the Charles Sturt University Education Conference, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Nov.
- Smith, L., Maginnis, C., Hamilton, L., McCoy, B., & Latham, H. (2006). Embedding academic skills into your course. Presentation to Charles Sturt University Course Coordinator’s Conference, Bathurst NSW, March.
- Latham, H., Knagge, D., & Stockhausen, L. (2006). Workplace supported learning for rural undergraduate nursing students’. Paper presented at the Australian Rural Nurses and Midwives Association Conference, Brisbane, QLD, Oct.
- Hamilton, M., Latham, H., & Manners, J. (2005). University Outreach: the Development and Evaluation of a 2 day pre-enrolment Enabling Workshop for Rural and Remote Student. Paper presented at the Charles Sturt University Student Experience Conference, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Nov.
- Latham, H., Giffard, L., & Pollard, M. (2004). Collaborative partnership to implement an interactive educational model to address the shortage of Registered Nurses (RNs) in rural Australia. Paper presented at the Royal College of Nursing Australia Conference, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, July.
- Harrison, L., Latham, H., & McLeod, S. (2003). Double Degrees: Double Value. Invited paper Presented to 18th Annual Early Childhood Intervention Conference, Brighton Beach, Sydney. August.
- Latham, H., & Wilkin, C.(1993). The Experience of Fathers whose partner Delivered a Baby by Caesarean Section. Paper Presented at the International Council of Nurses, World Conference, Madrid, Spain.
Seminar Presentations
- Latham, H., & Matheson, A. (2008). Frameworks for University Learning and Teaching. Presentation to the CSU Tertiary Teaching Colloquium, Bathurst NSW, March.
- Latham, H. (2007). Interact: the pilot student experience (Academic Panel member). Presentation to CSU Tertiary Teaching Colloquium, Bathurst, NSW, June.
- Latham, H., & Matheson, A. (2007). Frameworks of university learning and teaching. Presentation to CSU Tertiary Teaching Colloquium, Bathurst , NSW, March.
Reports
- Gibb, H., Hamilton, M., Latham, H., Manners, J., & McKinney, S. (2000). Academic Preparation Workshop: A Strategy for preparing culturally isolated, rural Enrolled Nurses for distance education in the tertiary sector. Equity Enhancement Project Report. Student Services, Charles Sturt University.
- Latham, H., Manners, J., & Anderson, J. (2008). A Longitudinal Evaluation of an Academic Preparation Workshop: Equity Enhancement Project Report, Student Services, Charles Sturt University.