For Ella, a dedicated bedside nurse, the scholarship unlocked an opportunity that would otherwise have been out of reach.

“Being awarded this scholarship felt like a meaningful recognition of my dedication to the field and nursing research,” she said. “It was a chance to represent my institution and bring back valuable knowledge to share with my team.”

Jemma echoed this sentiment, noting that opportunities for inpatient nursing staff to present internationally are still uncommon.

“Nurses, particularly bedside nurses, remain underrepresented at national and international conferences,” she said. “This scholarship allowed me to demonstrate that our contributions are valued and that inpatient nurses deserve a place in these forums.”

The conference also offered both nurses an important chance to deepen their expertise in the rapidly evolving field of CAR‑T therapy — an area where patient deterioration can be unpredictable and where nursing vigilance is central to safety.

As Ella explained:

“Managing acutely deteriorating patients in the middle of the night means I need to feel confident in my assessment skills and escalation. As protocols evolve, staying up to date is essential.”

Presenting Australian nursing research to the world

Ella and Jemma presented their nursing‑led research on CAR‑T patient monitoring and the management of immune effector cell–associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS). ICANS is a potentially serious complication of CAR-T therapy, that can cause symptoms ranging from confusion and difficulty speaking to seizures and decreased consciousness.

Early recognition by bedside nurses is essential, and both Ella and Jemma’s research has contributed to improving monitoring and escalation practices at Peter Mac, which they shared at the conference.

Their presentation not only generated wide interest, but also led to a remarkable outcome:

Nine hospitals across the UK, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Switzerland, and Germany requested access to the protocol developed at Peter Mac.

Jemma described this response as both affirming and motivating:

“Presenting to such a knowledgeable audience and receiving positive feedback from leaders like the EBMT Nurses Group validated the importance of our protocol. It reinforced my ability to contribute meaningfully to global conversations in this field.”

The connections formed are expected to spark ongoing collaboration, resource sharing, and future joint work — a powerful example of Australian nursing innovation influencing international practice.

Global insights that will benefit patients immediately

Both nurses identified sessions that broadened their understanding of where CAR‑T therapy is heading internationally.

Ella was particularly inspired by a presentation from Milan:

“Rafaella Greco’s talk on CAR‑T Therapy for non‑haematological conditions such as autoimmune diseases was incredibly interesting. It’s an exciting area of development.”

Jemma, meanwhile, was struck by sessions discussing new CAR‑T applications already available in some European centres:

“Hearing about therapies available in Europe but not yet introduced in Australia helped me anticipate the nursing implications for our own unit as these options become available over the next year.”

Both nurses also had “lightbulb moments” around patient education, especially regarding the use of the internet and AI.

Ella reflected:

“Patients are going to use the internet and AI for research — we can’t avoid that. But we can influence them to ensure they’re accessing safe information.”

Jemma added:

“My perspective shifted. Instead of warning people about ‘Doctor Google’, we can help them harness positive online communities and credible content.”

Both have already incorporated these insights into their patient conversations.

Strengthening confidence, leadership, and the future of CAR‑T nursing

The conference experience significantly strengthened their confidence as educators and clinicians.

Ella shared:

“The experience increased my confidence in public speaking and strengthened my understanding of CAR‑T in a global context.”

For Jemma, the personal impact was profound:

“This scholarship has been very meaningful to me… it reignited my passion by showing that our frontline innovations can influence global practices and improve lives. It has validated years of dedication to advancing bedside nursing in CAR‑T and transplant care, and reminded me that persistence can lead to lasting impact.”

A powerful reminder of the impact of donor support

This scholarship not only enabled two nurses to represent Australia internationally — it facilitated new global collaborations, brought cutting‑edge insights home to Australian patients, and elevated the role of bedside nurses in shaping the future of CAR‑T care.

Ella summed it up beautifully:

“As a bedside nurse, being awarded this scholarship felt like acknowledgment that our role in advanced therapies like CAR‑T is both valuable and essential.”

Jenna also highlighted its broader impact:

“Thank you for empowering inpatient nurses to share CAR‑T innovations on a global stage. Your support is transforming patient care worldwide.”

Their achievements show how the generosity of our donors, including partners like Jazz Pharmaceuticals, helps create safer care, stronger clinical leadership, and better outcomes for patients undergoing stem cell transplant and cellular therapies.