State/Territory Directors 2021

Karen is a Clinical Nurse Specialist working at John Hunter Hospital, one of the busiest children's Hospital and major trauma Center in NSW. She has vast experience in anaesthetics commencing as an Anaesthetic Technician who completed the Australian Society of Anaesthetic and Operating Theatre Technicians Diploma through Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, in 1992.

In 1993 Karen decided to move into nursing and completed Advanced Enrolled Nurse Certificate and proceeded to complete her Bachelor of Nursing Charles Sturt University in 2007. Karen continued her studies through University of New England to complete Graduate Certificate in Acute Care Nursing- Major in Perioperative Nursing 2012, Graduate Diploma in Acute Care Nursing- Major Perioperative Nursing 2014, and in 2017 completed Masters in Nursing; while in 2017 completed her Clinical Fellowship through the Australian College of Perioperative Nurses (ACPAN).

Karen joined the ACPAN board in 2020 as NSW Director and has professional membership with AHPRA/Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, NSW, and is also a committee member of the NSW Operating Theatre Association (OTA) Zone One, and Agency for clinical intervention (ACI).

Karen’s additional interest led her to be a cell salvage operator, laser safety operator and under the current situation Karen also obtained her Immunisation for Health Practitioners (307 2102) certificate April 2021 and PRO Safety and Training -Quantitative Face Fit Testing certificate in 2020. She has relieved in Nurse Unit Manager and Theatre Schedule Manager roles. When not working she loves spending her time with her family and friends.

Angela Fraser is an ANUM of anaesthetic at Epworth Health Care, Freemasons campus Melbourne. She oversees the anaesthetic department of a very busy day procedure centre with a maternity department.

Angela earnt her initial RN qualification, as a Diploma of Applied science at Warrnambool university, and upgrades to a Degree at Victoria university. After 20 years of clinical nursing Angela returned to study and completed a postgraduate certificate in peri anaesthesia nursing at the University of Tasmania, at the same time completing a certificate VI in Leadership and management at Swinburne. Angela became a Fellow of ACPAN in 2018.

Angela had been on the ACPAN board for over 10 years as Victoria representative and director, and is a life member of ACPAN. She has organised many successful weekend seminars and 4 national conferences over these years.

Angela is a member of the Global advisory committee for ICPAN, and attended the last ICPAN conference in Cancun Mexico,2019.

Angela is passionate about educating under graduate, post graduate and PIP students the speciality role of the peri anaesthetic nurse, as well as the evidence based practices guidelines and professional standards of care in this speciality of nursing.

On a personal note, she has a certificate VI in fitness instruction and enjoys exercising, specially running, where she has successfully completed 3 Melbourne marathons.

Ken Hancock RN, Grad dip perioperative, FACPAN registered in 1994 and then travelled to WA for his first job. Initially working in a Nursing Home in Kalgoorlie. From there he started working at the local hospital in the Operating Theatre and so began Ken’s interest in Anaesthetics and PACU.

Ken is proud of his indigenous heritage and working in Kalgoorlie gave him more insight into the plight of Indigenous Australians and their health care challenges. Ken likes to be involved within his community and is a member of reconciliation Tasmania. Ken is also an active member of the Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Nurses and Midwifes.

After working in WA Ken returned to Tasmania in 1996 and worked at Calvary Hospital where he met his wife. They travelled to the UK to work and explore Europe. In 1999 they returned to Australia and Ken studied at Deakin University and worked at Box Hill Hospital, completing his Post Graduate Diploma in perioperative and anaesthetic nursing.

Since 2000 Ken has worked in the Theatre Department at Hobart Private Hospital and now works as a Theatre Floor Coordinator and Educator in Anaesthetics/PACU. Ken has worked in a variety of diverse areas including Surgical and Hyperbaric nursing.

Ken became a member of ACPAN (Australian College of Peri-Anaesthesia Nurses) over 20 years ago because he is passionate about education and supporting theatre staff. He felt very privileged in 2020 when he became a life member of ACPAN. Ken has been the Tasmania Director of ACPAN since 2004. Ken was admitted as a Fellow of ACPAN in 2018. Ken is also an ALS instructor and enjoys training and mentoring others.

In his free time Ken enjoys gardening, travelling, and spendings time with his family and friends.

Majella McKinnon RN, BN, Grad Dip (Anaes&Rec), MNSci. has enjoyed her career in nursing for 22 years since graduating from La Trobe University, Bendigo she made her way to Adelaide where she calls home. After completing a Graduate Diploma in Anaesthetics & Recovery Majella has developed into a seasoned Peri Anaesthetic nurse, experienced educator in both the clinical and academic settings and a budding researcher. Majella is passionate about education and supporting nurses in their professional development maintaining a focus on patient advocacy and optimising patient care.

Outside of nursing Majella enjoys camping, exploring Australia with her family and the science of wine.