Dr. Chanchal Kurup
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Master of Clinical Education (Research Stream), Graduate Certificate in Nursing, Initial Registration for Overseas Registered Nurses (IRON), General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM).Lecturer - Nursing
School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Sciences
Health Workforce Academy
18 - 1.11
Available on campus from 0830-1615
Dr. Chanchal Kurup is a research-and-teaching-balanced academic in the School of Nursing, Midwifery, and Social Sciences. With over two decades of experience spanning clinical practice and academia, she brings a global perspective to the evolving landscape of healthcare. Her research is deeply rooted in the skill utilisation of Internationally Qualified Nurses (IQNs), exploring its profound impact on workforce sustainability and the refinement of hiring practices within the Australian healthcare system.
A leader in her field, Dr Kurup has spearheaded and contributed to numerous industry-funded research projects, including those supported by the Queensland Department of Education. Her groundbreaking work in leadership development among international students undertaking bridging programs through digital technology has influenced professional adaptation and integration strategies. More recently, her research has expanded to examining immigrant experiences, delving into acculturation and workforce transition complexities.
Dedicated to shaping the next generation of healthcare professionals, she teaches across undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels, fostering expertise in nursing workforce development, trauma-informed pedagogy, and specialty nursing skills. Her scholarly influence extends beyond IQN skill adaptation, as she plays a pivotal role in advancing professional integration, enhancing patient safety, promoting vaccine uptake, and driving innovations in simulation-based education.
As a mixed-methodology researcher, she employs diverse and dynamic research strategies to address the critical challenges in nursing education, workforce planning, and healthcare policy. Her collaborations with health departments and professional bodies are instrumental in strengthening workforce readiness, refining accreditation processes, and upholding the highest quality assurance standards.
Background
Chanchal completed her PhD at Australian Catholic University in 2024, earning the prestigious Vice-Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Doctoral Training. Her thesis was awarded Summa Cum Laude (pass with no corrections), recognising its outstanding quality.
She is an active peer reviewer for multiple academic journals and serves on the advisory board of ANMAC (Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council). Additionally, she is a member of the Australian College of Nursing’s Global Nursing Cluster, contributing to policy and leadership in the nursing profession.
Key Achievements – Grants & Scholarship
| Year | Grant/Scholarship | Value (AUD) | Project Title |
| 2023 | Australian Catholic University Open Access Journal Scheme Funding | $5,281.82 | Transfer of internationally qualified nurses' specialty skills to developed countries after immigration: A multicentre policy review. |
| 2023 | Australian Catholic University Teaching Development Grant | $11,032.80 | Patient safety elements taught to pre-registration nurses using simulation designs. |
| 2023 | CQUniversity Open Access Journal Scheme Funding | $3,000 | Factors influencing Australian nursing and midwifery students' COVID-19 vaccination intentions. |
| 2023 | Ahpra/NMBA Project Funding | $243,743 | Ahpra/NMBA assessment, registration process review, and the OSCE preparation program creation. |
| 2022 | Australian Catholic University RTP Scholarship | $86,562 | The use of specialty skills among internationally qualified nurses in Australia: Mixed-methods research (PhD). |
| 2022 | CQUniversity SNMSS Research Seed Grant | $7,098.41 | Patient safety elements taught to pre-registration nurses using simulation designs. |
| 2021 | CQUniversity Internal Research Grant | $17,567.61 | Facilitators influencing Australian undergraduate nursing students' intentions towards COVID-19 vaccination. |
| 2020 | Queensland Training Partnership Fund | $50,224 | Evaluation of a digital application to support internationally qualified nurses' communication and leadership skills |
Universities Studied At
| Australian Catholic University | Doctor of Philosophy. | 2021-2024 |
| Australian Catholic University | Master in Clinical Education (Research Stream). | 2016-2021 |
| Australian Catholic University | Graduate Certificate in Nursing. | 2014-2016 |
| Institute of Health and Nursing Australia | Initial Registration for Overseas Registered Nurses (IRON). | 2011 |
| School of Nursing Kozhikode | General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM). | 2003-2006 |
Universities Worked At
Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT),
Australian Catholic University (ACU),
Southern Cross Educational Institution (SCEI),
Also played a pivotal role in the design, ANMAC accreditation, and management of the International Nurses Bridging Program at Education Training & Employment Australia (ETEA).
Awards
2025: Vice-Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Doctoral Training, Australian Catholic University Australia (April-17).
2024: People's Choice Award, Australian Catholic University 3MT Competition (September-11).
2024: Faculty Finalist, Australian Catholic University 3MT Competition (August-21).
2023: Best Presenter, International Conference on Transcultural Nursing and Future Directions (January 30-31).
2022: Queensland Finalist, Falling the Wall Science Breakthrough Competition (August-12).
2022: 3rd Place in the Health Workforce Category, CQUniversity Research Symposium, Brisbane (October 27–28).
2022: People's Choice Award, CQUniversity Research Symposium, Brisbane (October 27–28).
2015: Best Nurse-Patient Nomination, Austin Health (May-12).
2006: Best Outgoing Student of the Year, School of Nursing, Kozhikode, Kerala, India, with 88% (HD) marks (May-15).
2002: 3rd Rank in the Kerala state for year 12 examinations with 91% (HD) marks (May-28).
Media Citations
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iJtF4J-ty6MVVmts8o86eMfSaxf7xO9c/view?usp=drive_link
https://www.tiq.qld.gov.au/preparing-overseas-nurses-for-country-queensland/
https://staffnet.cqu.edu.au/news-events/news/Pages/Preparing-overseas-nurses-for-country-Queensland.aspx
https://www.science.org.au/news-and-events/events/international-events/falling-walls-lab-australia-finale-2022
https://www.miragenews.com/three-aussie-innovators-to-compete-in-berlin-865952/
https://www.acu.edu.au/research-and-enterprise/graduate-research-school/scholarships-and-opportunities/3mt
https://staff.acu.edu.au/our_university/news/2024/september/graduate-research-school-launch-and-acu-three-minute-thesis-final
https://www.acu.edu.au/about-acu/news/2024/september/research-uncovering-the-origins-of-biblical-texts-using-science-wins-acu-3mt-final
https://staff.acu.edu.au/our_university/news/2024/november/learning-and-connection
https://www.cqu.edu.au/news/1202511/paving-the-way-for-global-nurses
https://www.deshabhimani.com/epaper/newspaper/thiruvananthapuram/2025-01-17?page=2&type=fullview
https://keralakaumudi.com/static/epaper/DLY/2025/01/13/TVM/14_BACK%20PAGE_PGDF0502704/image.jpg?v=979823338
https://epaper.mathrubhumi.com/Home/ShareArticle?OrgId=1280858979&imageview=1
Previous teaching
Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT),
Australian Catholic University (ACU),
Southern Cross Educational Institution (SCEI)
She has also played a key role in designing and leading the International Nurses Bridging Course at Education Training & Employment Australia (ETEA).
Professional Experience
2024 – Current: Assistant Head of the Course. School Nursing, Midwifery and Social Sciences, CQUniversity.
2024 – Current: Head of the Course, Level-C; (Preparation Program for the NMBA's OSCE) CQUniversity.
2023 – Current: Lecturer, School Nursing, Midwifery and Social Sciences, CQUniversity.
2017 – 2023: Associate lecturer, School Nursing, Midwifery and Social Sciences, CQUniversity Australia.
2017 – Current: Registered Nurse Casual-Mater Heath/ Rockhampton.
2016 – 2017: Lecturer/Head of the Course-International Nurses EPIQ program. ETEA/Melbourne.
2015 – 2017: Casual Lecturer/Undergraduate Nursing RMIT/Melbourne.
2012 – 2015: Clinical nurse specialist. Neurology. Austin Health/Melbourne.
2011 – 2012: Registered Nurse, Bank (Various Specialties), Ballarat Health.
2006 – 2011: Registered Nurse/Midwife, NICU/Labour Suite, Govt. Women & Children Hospital/India.
Professional Memberships
Ahpra Registration to practice as a Registered Nurse (Current).
ANMAC course accreditor (Current).
Course committee member (Current).
Ethics reviewer (Current).
CQHHS Advisory Committee- IQRN recruitment and retention (Current).
PILBARA Rural and remote Nurses Advisory Committee IQRN recruitment and retention (Current).
International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL) member (Current).
Victorian Simulation Alliance (VSA) member (Current).
2024 Global Nursing Faculty Research Projects (ACN) (Current).
Member of IOM, an immigration wing of the UN (Current).
Australian College of Nursing (ACN) (Current).
ACN Global Nursing Faculty (Current).
Australian Continence Nurses Association (2011-2018).
Hand Hygiene Australia Gold Standard Auditor (2011-2020).
Responsibilities
In my current leadership roles at CQUniversity, I provide strategic oversight and operational management of academic and professional teams to ensure the delivery of high-quality teaching, assessment, and student support. As Assistant Head of Course, I lead the coordination of daily program delivery, mentor unit coordinators and lecturers, manage staff workloads, and ensure regulatory compliance across nursing programs. Simultaneously, as Head of Course (Level C) for the NMBA OSCE Preparation Program, I lead a multidisciplinary team supporting internationally qualified nurses (IQNs), with responsibility for curriculum development, scheduling, and staff mentoring in inclusive and culturally responsive education. I also oversee sessional staff and facilitate the integration of simulation-based learning across key units. Previously, as Head of Course for the EPIQ Program at ETEA, I led cross-campus teams and managed regulatory compliance to support diverse cohorts of internationally educated nurses.
In parallel, I am an active researcher and HDR supervisor with a growing national and international profile. My research focuses on the underutilisation of specialty skills among IQNs, an emerging area of interest for national policy stakeholders such as ANMAC and the Australian College of Nursing. I currently lead some industry-collaborative IQN preparation project and supervise doctoral candidates at CQUniversity and the University of Malta.
My leadership also extends to university service and community engagement. I contribute to Indigenous student advancement initiatives, actively participate in graduation ceremonies, and maintain strong links with regional health services to ensure academic offerings are aligned with local workforce needs. Through these roles, I drive excellence in teaching, research, and institutional impact across regional and global contexts.
Professional Interests
Chanchal Kurup’s research interests focus on the integration and professional development of IQNs, particularly in the context of their transition into Australian healthcare systems. Her work explores the transferability of specialty skills, the efficacy of bridging and transition programs, and the role of digital strategies in enhancing communication, leadership, and learning outcomes for both IQNs and nursing students. Additionally, Chanchal investigates simulation-based education for patient safety and skills development, as well as the broader policy and workforce strategies necessary to support IQNs in maximising their potential. Her work also explores factors influencing vaccination intentions and behaviors, particularly in the context of COVID-19, and aims to identify strategies to enhance vaccine uptake among nursing students and the broader healthcare workforce. Additionally, she investigates the challenges and support mechanisms involved in the transition of new graduate nurses, focusing on how their skills are integrated into clinical practice.
Key Achievements
Some of Chanchal Kurup’s key achievements include graduating with Summa Cum Laude honors for her doctoral research, which was recognised for its exceptional quality. She has also been invited to join the Australian College of Nursing's (ACN) global research group, a testament to her significant contributions to nursing research. Additionally, Chanchal received the prestigious Vice-Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Doctoral Research, further acknowledging her outstanding research efforts and academic achievements.
Computer Software
Chanchal Kurup is proficient in a wide range of software tools, particularly Microsoft applications like Teams, along with various project management software, recording software, and research platforms such as REDCap, SurveyMonkey, NVivo, SPSS, and Covidence. Her ability to quickly learn new software allows her to adapt and efficiently apply them in both her research journey and daily job responsibilities, ensuring she remains effective in meeting both academic and professional demands.
Industry Reports
Mainey, L., Wirihana, L., Irwin, S., Rawat, V., Kurup, C., Adeleye, A., & Galea, G. (2024). Evaluation Report: Ahpra/NMBA assessment and registration process & Orientation Modules for internationally qualified nurses and midwives
Kurup.C., Adeleye.A. (Drft submitted, 2025). Comprehensive Program Review and Evaluation Report-PDC128967 - Preparation Program for the NMBA's Registered Nurse Objective Structured Clinical Examination
Barlow, M. L., Dickie, R., Jeaton, L., Kurup, C., Lamb, A., & Kikkawa, Y. (2024). ACU Teaching Development Grants: Final report (2023–2024). Australian Catholic University
Preparing Internationally Qualified Nurses and Midwives: Delivery of an OSCE preparation program and review of orientation modules
Grant: Government Tender (Category 2: Other Public Sector)
Funding Schemes: Ahpra & National Boards - RFP IQRN OSCE preparation program development and review of current IQNM Orientation Modules (Part 1 and 2)
Total Funding: $221,584.51
Accreditation
I am currently accredited for supervision in the following:
- 4205 Nursing
Current Capacity
Education Systems - Higher Education
Digital technology in education
Other Education - Other education not elsewhere classified
Improving skill utilisation across the border among Internationally Qualified Nurses (IQNs) and digital technology in education.
Other health sciences - Other health sciences not elsewhere classified
Simulation and improvements in the same.
Public health - Preventative health care
Vaccination acceptance and the facilitators and preventers in the same.
