The RDNS Helen Macpherson Smith Institute of Community Health aims to promote excellence in community health through education, research and clinical practice.

The RDNS Institute based at the RDNS head office in St Kilda, Melbourne has partnerships with La Trobe University, as well as RMIT and Monash universities. It also has links with other district nursing organisations in Australia and New Zealand.

Institute staff include educators, researchers, information management specialists, administrative and library personnel.  

The RDNS Institute aims to:

• integrate education, research and findings from nursing staff to develop excellent models of care
• deliver new knowledge and research findings in community health nursing practices to the health sector and the wider public
• raise the profile of community nursing
• advance nursing careers and skills by offering tertiary courses, seminars, workshops, lectures and research opportunities in community nursing