Professor Rhonda Wilson is an internationally recognised mental health nursing scientist with a research focus on digital health interventions. She is Professor of Mental Health Nursing at RMIT University Australia and RMIT, where she leads the mental health nursing discipline and an innovative digital mental health nursing research virtual laboratory. As a Wiradjuri (First Nation) descendent, and member of CATSINaM (Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives) she is a vigorous advocate and activist for the promotion of cultural safety and decolonisation in our education and health institutions. She has published extensively in international journals, books and conferences. She has a track record of leading national and international mental health mixed methods research programs, including using methods suited to priority populations, and First Nations peoples. Professor Wilson has worked in a wide range of rural and regional clinical registered nursing roles throughout Northern Queensland, North-western Victoria, South-western Queensland and the New England region of NSW and academic roles in Australia, Denmark and New Zealand. During lockdown restrictions at the height of a Covid-19 outbreak in Walgett, NSW 2021, she partnered with Walgett Aboriginal Medical Service and her university colleagues, to go to Walgett to undertake an early humanitarian vaccination campaign to provide urgent protection for the Walgett community. Professor Wilson continues with a wide international and national network and program of research. She is the current President of the peak body, Australian College of Mental Health Nurses.
Research fields
420504 Mental health nursing
420302 Digital health
450408 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health promotion
UN sustainable development goals
3 Good Health and Well Being
10 Reduced Inequalities
4 Quality Education
Academic positions
Honorary Professor Mental Health Nursing
University of Newcastle Australia
Nursing and Midwifery
Gosford, Australia
18 Dec 2023 – Present
Conjoint Scholar
Central Coast Local Health District
Gosford, Australia
1 Nov 2023 – Present
Professor Mental Health Nursing
University of Newcastle Australia
Nursing and Midwifery
Gosford, Australia
3 Apr 2020 – 11 Dec 2023
Associate Professor Mental Health Nursing
University of Canberra
Nursing and Midwifery
Canberra, Australia
1 Apr 2019 – 1 Apr 2020
Professor
Massey University
Palmerston North, New Zealand
1 Oct 2019 – 31 Dec 2021
Associate Professor and Director
University of Southern Denmark
Telepsychiatry
Odense, Denmark
1 Dec 2016 – 30 Jun 2019
Lecturer (Level B) / Academic Advisor (Level D)
University of New England
School of Health / Oorala
Armidale, Australia
1 Jan 2007 – 31 Dec 2016
Clinical Nurse Specialist in Early Psychosis
Hunter New England Local Health District
Child and Adolescent Mental Health
Armidale /Tamworth, Australia
1 Apr 2003 – 30 Dec 2007
Supervisor projects
Evaluating the experiences of Mental Health Services for consumers with first episode of psychosis engaging with ACT emergency and inpatient mental health services
19 Jul 2024
Australian pre-registration mental health nursing curriculum inclusion of gender and sexuality content
12 Jul 2024
A prototype digital tool to assist supported decision-making in mental health treatment planning
8 Jul 2024
Decolonisation of palliative care using traditional therapies
13 Jun 2024
Using Machine Learning to Assist Decision Making in the Assessment of Mental Health Consumers Presenting to Emergency Departments
7 Jun 2024
Integrated Nursing Care for Combined Disorders
24 May 2024
Technological Interventions to improve Refugee Mental Health in Australia. The role of innovative technology in creating and delivering Digital Mental Health Resources for Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Australia.
3 May 2024
Teaching interests
PhD supervision
Research interests
Internationally and nationally active mental health nursing scientist with a research focus on mental health, digital health, First Nations health and menopause.
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.