Psychogeriatric Nurse's Association (PGNA)

The Psychogeriatric Nurse’s Association Australia Incorporated (PGNA) had its origins in the 1980's in Sydney. 

The PGNA has always been the voice for the profession of nursing on matters pertaining to the clinical specialty of psychogeriatric nursing, currently known as Older Person’s Mental Health (OPMH) or Psychiatry of Old Age (POA). 

The PGNA proudly celebrates the abundant achievements during the past almost 30 years of nurses volunteering their services in advancing psychogeriatric nursing as a discipline to support vulnerable older Australians. The Psychogeriatric Nurses Association (PGNA) Executive Committee are announcing with great sadness, the end of an era has emerged (August 2023). 

“God knows how hard and long all the executives of the PGNA have worked, sweated, struggled and yet achieved! The executive members, so few, have done so much, with so little we applaud all their efforts, their camaraderie, their passion, commitment and friendship. I am proud to have had the privilege to have worked alongside them all. I will miss them and their enthusiasm”.   John Nadjarian (PGNA Inaugural President, Past President, and current Treasurer (August 2023).

We, PGNA Executive, thank all those who have supported the organisation over the years and wish you all the very best as you continue to work and grow in Older Peoples Mental Health, Aged (Gerontology) and Dementia Care specialties into the future. 

PGNA – What’s in a name?

The term "Psychogeriatric” referred to the field of health whose primary focus is the mental and cognitive wellbeing of the older person - the older person usually being of 65 years or older. 

The PGNA Executive acknowledges the term ‘Psychogeriatric’ is antiquated and adopts an inclusive person centric language honouring the person living with mental health concerns. 

The PGNA Executive understands the speciality of psychogeriatric as synonymous with specialty of Psychiatry of Old Age, Gerontological Nursing and Dementia Care.

Our humble beginnings in the 1980s answered the Federal Government’s drive to respond to the needs of older persons with mental health issues living in the community through creation of Aged Care Assessment Teams. Out of the desire to give credence, support and recognition as a profession, psychogeriatric nurses met regularly and began to form our association. 

In honour of our history, struggle and recognition of those nurses and supporters who have paved the way in our 40 plus years of existence; our association will be continued to be known as the Psycho Geriatric Nurses Association (PGNA).

MISSION: The mission of the Psycho Geriatric Nurses Association (PGNA) is to be a leader in the specialty of Psychiatry of Old Age, Gerontological Nursing and Dementia Care:

• identified evidenced based care, advocating for older persons living with mental health conditions
• probing for innovative and creative approaches to collaborate and achieve improved awareness of the psychogeriatric spectrum.
• providing leadership, improved health literacy and care standards with equitable policy development the specialty of Psychiatry of Old Age, Gerontological Nursing and Dementia Care.

VISION: To be a premier professional society for psychogeriatric healthcare professionals dedicated to improving the mental health of older people 

PGNA COMMIT OURSELVES TO THE VISION AND MISSION BY:

Supporting members as a conduit for:

• connection and collaboration that enhances their expertise, 
• shared interests, addresses their needs, 
• keep relevance and partners with other organisations to promote Psychogeriatric Nursing as a speciality in its own right.

Providing members with information and resources needed to excel in our profession and improve the mental health and wellbeing of the older person. We will achieve this by;

• interpersonal relationship building with likeminded organisations ie GANA,
• high quality and relevant evidence-based education programs,
• fostering connection and collaboration among key opinion leader