Nicola Barbara Williams
Magill,Australia
Summary
Dynamic nursing and midwifery leader with extensive experience at the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation, excelling in strategic planning and operational excellence. Proven track record in driving quality assurance initiatives and fostering supportive teamwork, enhancing patient outcomes and engagement across diverse healthcare portfolios.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
Work History
Director Nursing and Midwifery Professional Practice
Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (SA Branch)
Adelaide, South Australia
05.2025 - Current
- Executive nursing and midwifery leader driving strategic, professional, and operational excellence across diverse portfolios.
- As a member of the Executive Team, contribute to high-level decision-making, governance, and the development of ANMFSA’s vision and strategic direction.
- Provide expert leadership in nursing workforce planning, professional development, and evidence-based practice improvement.
- Lead and manage the Professional Team, ensuring capability, compliance, and alignment with strategic and operational plans.
- Sponsor and deliver complex projects and portfolios, including the BPSO program, and other practice improvement initiatives.
- Participate in key governance committees, including Strategic and Operational Planning, contributing to policy development and strategic alignment.
- Champion research-informed policy positions and innovative models of care to improve population health outcomes.
- Actively participate in nursing and midwifery research initiatives to inform practice, policy, and workforce development.
- Build and maintain strategic partnerships with government, education, and health sector stakeholders.
- Promote a constructive, inclusive, and high-performing workplace culture, mentoring staff, and fostering continuous improvement.
- Establish systems for project reporting, delegation, and issue escalation to ensure operational efficiency and accountability.
- Actively contributes to membership growth strategies and engagement initiatives.
- Ensure all projects and operations comply with safety regulations, ethical standards, and organisational policies.
- Actively engage in executive governance and committee participation, influencing strategic direction and policy development.
- Accountable for achieving KPIs related to the professional team's diverse range of portfolios.
- Maintain oversight of delegated responsibilities while ensuring alignment with organisational goals and timelines.
Professional Officer
Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (SA Branch)
Adelaide
03.2019 - 05.2025
- Responsible for leading, mentoring and supporting the establishment of the RNAO Best Practice Spotlight Organisation Program (BPSO); management of the associated comparative database, as well as, acting as a coach to BPSO designate and pre-designate leads, supporting change management process.
- Coordinating, leading, and managing complex project, programs and lobbying to support the ANMF (SA Branch) Operational and Strategic Directions as directed by the Manager, Professional Programs.
- Draft and develop responses in relation to new legislations, policy, procedures, or initiatives.
- Contributing to the review and development of professional practices and policies at a federal and state level.
- Development of education and training resources in relation to the Best Practice program.
- Participation in external networks to achieve goals of the program and ANMFSA strategic goals.
- Presentation at local, national, and international forums showcasing the achievements of the program in South Australia.
- Contributes to the development of submissions to Inquiries, government bodies, nursing regulators or employers to pro-actively represent the nursing/midwifery workforce and the professional needs and aspirations of the membership, and develops, reviews and advises on policies, position statements and guidelines.
Clinical Project Manager – Community Strategies
Department of Health and Wellbeing
Adelaide
12.2016 - 03.2019
- Responsible for the coordination of the implementation of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) with the local Health networks.
- Manage the information exchange of the NDIS with stakeholders whilst monitoring the progress of strategies, initiatives and policies created to support the delivery of the NDIS.
- Support the development and implementation of state and national strategic directions and objectives.
- Work in a project management framework and provides high level and timely advice both written and verbal to develop briefings or responses to Executives or Ministerial offices.
- Negotiation, liaison and consultation with other Government and non-Government agencies at state and national levels.
- Chair of SA Health NDIS Working Group Forum involving representatives from all SA Health Local Health Networks and Department of Health for the implementation of the NDIS across SA Health and provide the interface for staff to raise issues encountered.
- Member of NDIS Interjurisdictional Working Group Forum involving representatives from the Departments of Health from States and Territories in Australia to discuss implementation issues regarding the NDIS.
- Participation in development of papers to COAG and AHMAC.
- Senior Officials Working Group – Health Sub group Work group formed to develop nationally consistent resolutions to NDIS implementation issues.
- South Australia is leading the work on collaboration and thematic analysis of issues post discharge.
- Escalation contact for issues arising from NDIS Implementation Point of escalation for LHN staff to escalate delays and issues relating to NDIS.
- Liaison and escalation of issues directly to NDIA as required to create resolution.
Long Length of Stay CPC
Central Adelaide LHN
Adelaide
06.2014 - 12.2016
- Responsible for the management of complex clients within Central Adelaide LHN, which includes long-stay client reviews to assist with the discharge planning of complex clients, and liaison with external care providers to maintain and create links to the community sector.
- Monitoring of LOS within the Medical Directorate and the intervention on specific clients to develop a safe, efficient, and sustainable discharge plan collaboratively with the hospital and community teams.
- Identification of systemic issues and barriers to discharge that are impacting LOS, and the implementation of strategies to resolve or minimize their impact on LOS.
- Provides leadership and advice to hospital staff regarding the complexities of a long stay client and their requirements for discharge.
Patient Flow Coordinator (Permanent Position)
Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre
Adelaide
08.2013 - 06.2014
- Oversaw overall bed management to ensure the site operated at funded capacity. Led long-stay client reviews to support complex discharge planning, and coordinated with external care providers to maintain strong community links. Established a single point of entry for inpatient referrals, enhancing transparency and efficiency in the admission process. Contributed to the planning and implementation of system improvement projects within the Rehabilitation service, with a focus on optimising patient flow and service delivery.
Complex Case CPC
Royal Adelaide Hospital
Adelaide
08.2012 - 08.2013
- Provided consultative support across multiple specialties including Orthopaedics, Cancer, Renal, Vascular, Cardiovascular, Neurology, and Cardiology to assist in clinical management, education, and coordination for clients with complex needs. Monitored length of stay for complex patients and acted as a central liaison between external providers, patients, families, and the multidisciplinary team to ensure continuity of care. Delivered clinical leadership, fostered a positive team culture, and supported team development and performance.
Patient Flow Coordinator (Contract Position)
Hampstead Rehabilitation Hospital
Adelaide
01.2011 - 08.2012
- Led overall bed management to ensure the site operated at funded capacity. Conducted long-stay client reviews to support complex discharge planning, and maintained strong community links through liaison with external care providers. Established a single point of entry for all inpatient referrals, improving transparency and efficiency in the admission process. Contributed to the planning and implementation of service improvement projects aligned with the Statewide Rehabilitation Plan (2009–2016).
Coordinator (Acting) - Transitional and Community Services
Royal Adelaide Hospital
Adelaide
09.2010 - 01.2011
- Responsible for the overall management and coordination of the staff employed within the Transitional & Community Services, Royal Adelaide Hospital.
Disability Liaison Nurse (Acting) - Transitional and Community Services
Royal Adelaide Hospital
Adelaide
10.2009 - 09.2010
- Responsible for providing a consultative service to all departments within the hospital to assist in the direct clinical management, education, coordination, continuity of care and support for clients with disabilities.
Clinical Nurse ED Liaison - Transitional and Community Services
Royal Adelaide Hospital
Adelaide
12.2008 - 10.2009
ACSC Transitional and Community Services
Royal Adelaide Hospital
Adelaide, South Australia
02.2008 - 12.2008
Registered Nurse Level 1 Internal Medical Service
Royal Adelaide Hospital
Adelaide
09.2006 - 02.2008
Registered General Nurse ‘E’ Grade Medicine/Surgical
Llandough Hospital
, Cardiff
05.2004 - 08.2006
Clinical Practice Nurse
Pegasus Ltd
, South Wales
11.2000 - 05.2004
Various Registered General Nurse positions Grades D-E
, South Wales
01.1994 - 11.2000
Education
Certificate of Nursing - Equivalent to Bachelor of Nursing
Neath General Hospital
Neath, United Kingdom01.1993
Skills
- Communication skills
- Leadership abilities
- Operational expertise
- Strategic planning
- Flexibility and adaptability
- Prioritisation techniques
- Rapport building
- Trustworthy relationships
- Supportive teamwork
- Educational methodologies
- Advisory capabilities
- Collaborative teamwork
- Patient-centred care
- Quality assurance practices
- Safety protocols
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Director Nursing and Midwifery Professional Practice
Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (SA Branch)
05.2025 - Current
Professional Officer
Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (SA Branch)
03.2019 - 05.2025
Clinical Project Manager – Community Strategies
Department of Health and Wellbeing
12.2016 - 03.2019
Long Length of Stay CPC
Central Adelaide LHN
06.2014 - 12.2016
Patient Flow Coordinator (Permanent Position)
Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre
08.2013 - 06.2014
Complex Case CPC
Royal Adelaide Hospital
08.2012 - 08.2013
Patient Flow Coordinator (Contract Position)
Hampstead Rehabilitation Hospital
01.2011 - 08.2012
Coordinator (Acting) - Transitional and Community Services
Royal Adelaide Hospital
09.2010 - 01.2011
Disability Liaison Nurse (Acting) - Transitional and Community Services
Royal Adelaide Hospital
10.2009 - 09.2010
Clinical Nurse ED Liaison - Transitional and Community Services
Royal Adelaide Hospital
12.2008 - 10.2009
ACSC Transitional and Community Services
Royal Adelaide Hospital
02.2008 - 12.2008
Registered Nurse Level 1 Internal Medical Service
Royal Adelaide Hospital
09.2006 - 02.2008
Registered General Nurse ‘E’ Grade Medicine/Surgical
Llandough Hospital
05.2004 - 08.2006
Clinical Practice Nurse
Pegasus Ltd
11.2000 - 05.2004
Various Registered General Nurse positions Grades D-E
01.1994 - 11.2000
Certificate of Nursing - Equivalent to Bachelor of Nursing
Neath General Hospital