02/09/2026
Today, the College of Emergency Nursing Australasia recognises Andrew Simmons known to colleagues as "Simmo," for his remarkable contribution to emergency nursing, youth injury prevention, and mentorship.
Andrew's path into nursing was not a conventional one. He began his working life in a blue-collar career before retraining as a nurse, going on to specialise in emergency nursing and paediatrics at Latrobe Regional Health, where he has spent 25 years and progressed to Assistant Unit Manager.
Over more than two decades in emergency nursing, Andrew has valued the chance to support people through some of the most difficult moments of their lives and takes particular pride in educating junior nurses and mentoring colleagues, helping them build confidence in emergency care. He was also instrumental in establishing and co-leading the P.A.R.T.Y. program (Prevent Alcohol and Risk-Related Trauma in Youth) at Latrobe Regional Health, which educates hundreds of young rural people each year about the consequences of risk-taking behaviour.
Andrew has also become known as the hospital's go-to person for difficult cannulas ("Where's Simmo?" they ask), a skill built over years of experience that he now shares by teaching others. Working through COVID was another defining period in his career, reinforcing for him the importance of teamwork, adaptability and supporting one another.
Andrew's advice for nurses starting out is to be curious, be willing to learn, and never be afraid to ask questions. He encourages nurses to develop their clinical skills while remembering that good emergency nursing is also about communication, compassion and treating every patient as an individual, and above all, to look after their colleagues, since the support given on a difficult shift can make all the difference. “Chocolates help, too”.
"Emergency nursing has given me far more than a career. It has given me lifelong colleagues, constant opportunities to learn and the privilege of making a difference when people need it most. At 70, people keep asking me when I am going to retire, but I respond that I still love my job, so why would I stop?"
Thank you, Andrew, for your leadership, service and lasting contribution to emergency nursing.
