Northern Hospital Emergency Department Clinical Nurse Educator Julie Considine has been named Emergency Nurse of the Year by the College of Emergency Nursing Australasia (CENA).

Ms Considine was nominated by her emergency department colleagues at the Northern Hospital, a campus of Northern Health.

She is believed to be the only PhD-qualified emergency nurse still working in a clinical role in Victoria and one of only two in Australia.

Most nurses who completed a PhD work in university sectors and do not have patient care roles.

'Emergency nursing has come a long way in a short time,' Ms Considine said.

'Like many others, I began as a hospital-trained staff nurse, giving little consideration to further education.

'Fifteen years later, emergency nurses have distinguished themselves as clinical experts who deal with enormous challenges every day.

'They also understand the value of research and the importance of best evidence and clinical risk.'

After successfully completing a Graduate Diploma in Nursing (Acute Care) and a Master of Nursing (Research) while working full time Ms Considine completed her nursing PhD this year.