Patricia Thompson
Rotary Club of Sale
Rural Nursing Scholarship 2020
Federation University, Gippsland Campus, Vic
Final Rural Placement – Central Gippsland Health, Sale
Post Grad Placement – Central Gippsland Health, Sale
Why do I wish to do rural and remote training?
I have always had great respect and admiration for the nurse’s in our rural community. Following in the footsteps of my mother, I have aspired to be a nurse since I was a child. Prior to commencing the Bachelor of Nursing at Federation University, I have thoroughly enjoyed working as an enrolled nurse on nurse bank at Central Gippsland Health, in multiple areas of the hospital and day care and needs. I enjoy listening to patients’ and residents’ stories, past or present; many born and raised int he area in difficult times and financial hardship, their part has made our local area what it is today. I admire the path that has led them to where they are now, which helps me care for them in a holistic way.
Born at the Sale hospital, I spent my childhood in the rural farming community of Llowalong, which is half an hour drive from Sale; where my parents still reside and where my children can now enjoy the farming life. I have a clear knowledge of the conflicting pride and hardship a farmer experiences in tough drought-stricken times. Beckoned by the land, they rise before dawn and returning to a late evening meal after washing their hands of dirt and sweat after a long and hard day’s work. I feel strongly about providing care and emotional support to drought effected farmers and others in times of crisis by listening and honouring their needs. Many members of our community are burdened with complicated life stressors which impact on mental illness, an important aspect of rural nursing I feel strongly about is understanding that therapeutic communication is essential to assist in times of psychological distress.
Becoming a rural nurse here in Sale gives me the opportunity to help others; I have a passion for enhancing one’s quality of life and believe an integral portion of rural nursing is ensuring that patients living with a chronic illness remain in their own homes. Taking part in co-ordination of home care, communicating with the multidisciplinary team and implementing the patient’s wishes is very rewarding and in turn, can decrease hospital admissions and result in better health outcomes for the patient.
Final (University) Rural Report
My final placement of the Bachelor of Nursing course was both exciting and challenging. I was really pleased to be placed at Critical Care Unit (CCU) at Central Gippsland Health (CGH) as I felt it would be the perfect place to consolidate my skills as a student. All the study, clinical training and hard work in the lead up to this final placement had prepared me to get the most out of the experience. I vividly remember one particular morning where I was able to observe and assist in intubating a patient along with sterile procedures such as CVC and Artline insertion. I was welcome to ask questions and was challenged in my knowledge, making for a wonderful learning experience. The CCU staff were a fantastic team who were very inspiring, and it was at this time in my training when I really started thinking more expansively about my future career as a nurse and the possibilities of what the future could hold for me.
As much as I loved being part of the CCU team, this placement was also really tough on a personal level. As a third-year student, there were many requirements to meet academically; with group assignments and online tasks, every minute counted, and organisation skills were essential. At this time, I was also preparing for and attending graduate nurse interviews within multiple organisations, adding to the load of commitments which was challenging at times but very rewarding once completed.
In summary, my five weeks in CCU at CGH was a wonderful learning experience, it gave good insight of what my year as a graduate registered nurse will be like and I am really excited for what the year and my future as a nurse has install for me.
Post Grad Rural Placement Report
Registered Nurse graduates at Central Gippsland Health are now only one month from completing the Graduate Nurse Program.
I am currently rotating through the Surgical Unit, where I am learning a variety of skills and enjoy the challenges of entering into or learning something new. I’m enjoying being part of a fabulous team of nurses who are encouraging, supportive and team orientated. It is really nice not having to worry about my workload, I know that when I require assistance, that help will be there to get ensure we all have a good shift.
During my time here I have not only learnt a lot about surgical nursing but stepped away from task driven jobs to patient centred care. As the year has progressed, I have understood more about the importance of pausing and really listening in to what people are saying, even when they might not say much at all. A skill of intuition and reading between the lines to ensure all matters are considered and then offering assistance or reporting and introducing the right team members to address it, such as allied health or care coordinators. Anything to enhance the quality of life for our patients, or their loved ones at home while they are at our health service.
This final rotation has prepared me for the next step in a transition year in Critical Care Unit and Theatre. The graduate year has been the perfect steppingstone stepping into my role as a Registered Nurse, an endless of support from all the staff within the organisation, especially our Graduate Coordinator who has been that listening ear, happy smile, who welcomed any questions and answered millions of enquiries. Support, encouragement and guidance as we step into the following year of learning, transition year.
Thank you to the Australian Rotary Health and the Rotary Club of Sale Rural Nursing Scholarship 2020 and the opportunity to have been part of such an amazing reward. I feel honoured to have received it and enjoyed reporting every few months on the progress of a Graduate Nurse. It has been an unusual year to begin a nursing career, but it has been an absolute pleasure and I will always enjoy this contribution within our community.