In 2022, with the Victorian Government announcing free nursing degrees shortly after the passing of my dad, who had struggled with the lack of male nurses and some of the aspects of personal care, I made an enquiry to La Trobe University Mildura Campus about what was involved with studying nursing.
There were a number of factors that influenced my decision for a career change from building surveying and environmental health, among these was an interest in working in remote areas of Australia. I had worked in outback communities before, and when I travelled out to those areas I liked the scenery, the big sky, the people – and working with those people.
Once I commenced study, I did a search of remote area nursing in Australia and one of the first results that came up was CRANAplus.
On phoning CRANAplus, I spoke with Melanie Avion, Professional Officer. Melanie advised me on steps to take and what experience I should look at to build a sustainable remote area nursing career.
This included experience in acute, emergency and community nursing, as well as looking at transition programs that the various states have.
Melanie also suggested that I contact the Centre for Remote Health in Alice Springs to discuss undergraduate scholarship opportunities for placement.
La Trobe University has a partnership with Flinders University for placement at Alice Springs and I was successful in obtaining a three-week placement there for my ‘Nursing the Deteriorating Patient’ subject.
Whilst there, I sought advice from the Centre for Remote Health about remote area nursing and also met with nurse educators from Central Australia Aboriginal Congress.
When it came time to apply for my graduate year, I was offered positions in Mildura, Northern Territory, and Cairns. After discussions with the various health services, the opportunity at Tennant Creek in the NT made the most sense for a view of looking at remote area nursing.
I made the two-and-a-half-day trip from Mildura to Tennant Creek and commenced work in the acute 20-bed main ward of the hospital, which offers a good scope of practice and learning opportunities. After this year, I will commence studying the Graduate Diploma in Remote Area Nursing, as well as do short courses through CRANAplus.
I suggest anybody interested in a graduate year in a remote area speak to the CRANAplus team, to the nurse educator where you apply for a grad year, and to the clinical learning/education team in the relevant state to get an understanding and assurance of training, orientation, supernumerary days and learning programs you will have.
Having that initial information from CRANAplus set me on the right pathway, it was fantastic. Knowing where to go, instead of looking around in circles, was really beneficial.
Being a CRANAplus Member gives you an idea that, if you go out remote, there are resources you can tap into. You get a feel for what people experience on the ground, and what support CRANAplus offers. It’s very good from that aspect.
