I want to be a nurse who works in the country because I have lived in East Gippsland, Victoria for over 21years. Originally, I missed the shops in Melbourne, but I have realised the health benefits of country life and living with nature. The comparison from a busy work life and family to the peace found in the country is rejuvenating and calming giving my life balance.

The awe of nature gives me joy that feeds into my passion for people and the individual uniqueness of people’s lives. I want to be a rural nurse because they care for their community and the people who work, paid and unpaid to support their families, friends, neighbours and their community. I am not a local to East Gippsland because I have not been born here. I do not have all the connections or know who’s-who or related to whom, but I think I am at an advantage because I do not pre-judge or hold bias towards family groups or individuals. I believe a rural nurse would uphold thorough assessments, analytical and critical thinking while continuing a professional attitude. Confidentiality is immensely important while working in a community as well as maintaining a therapeutic relationship, trust and understanding for rural nurses.

Rural nursing involves respecting the Aboriginal lands and people and the extraordinary work of Indigenous communities historically and currently. Country nursing requires caring for the community, their complex needs and diverse health issues. People travel countless kilometres to access specialist treatment, which is exhausting, costly and frightening, especially if family and loved ones are far away. Working as a rural nurse necessitates advocating for people and providing health education and support to build empowerment and finding ways to connect people to support groups, access medical specialists and community health support services.

It is very important to care for country people holistically and understand their relationship with the land and farming experiences, sometimes over generations. Often farmers don’t retire and continue working until much later in life. Rural nursing brings new challenges with individuals experiencing higher rates of suicide, depression and anxiety, monetary pressures and reduced employment. Climate change adds another layer of stress such as the increase risks of natural disasters, bush fires and floods which require a special nursing skill set with often unforeseen sudden emergency needs, encompassing not only physical but mental, emotional and financial health.

Rural communities do not have the same opportunities as metropolitan communities due to politics and reduced funding for rural health. However, country people deserve excellence and professional nursing care while working within a multidisciplinary team to live healthy lives and improve their standards of living. It would be a privilege to participate in achieving a high standard of care to the Gippsland communities, particularly Bairnsdale, as a rural nurse.