This CRANAplus Undergraduate Remote Placement Scholarship was sponsored by HESTA.
Flying from Melbourne to Alice Springs was the first of many wonderful sights and experiences of this incredible opportunity to complete a three-week nursing placement at Alice Springs Hospital. The striking panorama of the extensive red terrain, with a singular road, served as a tangible testament to the remoteness of this community.
The prospect of undertaking a remote placement in Alice Springs was a compelling opportunity that I saw as indispensable. I was motivated by the belief that my passion can make a meaningful difference to vulnerable populations. Having a genuine interest in engaging in professional practice with Indigenous populations in a remote location fuelled my eagerness to gain an understanding of the lifestyle and challenges associated.
Driving through the outer part of Alice Springs to my accommodation was a refreshing change of pace from the bustling city of Melbourne.
On my first day, all students beginning their placement attended an Aboriginal Culture and Context short course at Flinders University. I got to engage with and learn from students from different healthcare professions and universities across Australia. This workshop was incredibly invaluable and eye-opening learning of Aboriginal history, current challenges, and the destructive nature of the spreading of misinformation particularly by media. It was astonishing to learn that the colonisation of Central Australia occurred 100 years after the south and east coast of Australia. This encouraged me to consider the impacts of this in terms of progress, knowledge, and expectations of the Alice Springs community.
The following day was my first day in the Orthopaedic Rehabilitation Ward. A bright and cheery ward was emersed in Aboriginal art created by previous patients and families. It was here I got to develop my ability to culturally connect with patients and families and understand the fundamentals of cultural safety – a pivotal and transferable skill in nursing. It was rewarding to recognise Aboriginal patients slowly gaining trust and open up more throughout my placement. They began to share not only more about their health but also about their culture and their connection to their land. It was touching to hear just how meaningful the land and their traditional practices were to them, impeding some patient’s ability to remain in hospital.
The nurses, health professionals and education team here allowed me to broaden my knowledge and develop skills that would not have been possible in a metropolitan hospital. They highlighted to me what it means to be a phenomenal healthcare professional. I aspire to one day be as proficient, knowledgeable, and influential as they proved to be.
Each day before or after placement and on my rostered days off provided a new adventure. From riding around the town to discovering art galleries to attending trivia nights with new friends, I began to discover the true beauty of Alice Springs.
On one of my days off, my friend and I ventured into the West MacDonnell Ranges (Tjoritja) – breathtaking. Our tour guide shared Arrernte Aboriginal peoples’ Dreamtime stories of how the ridges of the West MacDonnell Ranges were created by giant caterpillars.
From the beautiful red and ridged landscape of Serpentine Gorge to the refreshing water of Ellery Creek Big Hole, it was an insightful and captivating day.
I am immensely grateful for this incredible opportunity to experience a remote nursing placement and all that Alice Springs has to offer. The knowledge, skills, friendships, and memories I created are invaluable.
I thank CRANAplus for this scholarship and for supporting me to undertake this placement.
