Past Research

When I completed high school in a rural town on the far south coast of NSW, University of Wollongong Bega Campus gave me the opportunity to study my top preference of Nursing with passion while still being at home.   This was important for me as I had grown up rurally and wanted to pursue my career without having to move my whole life to the big city.

Six weeks into my Bachelor of Nursing, CVOID-19 stopped everything worldwide, including university.   Everything shifted from classroom involvement to online, self-paced and zoom learning.

I grew up on a farm in a small regional town called Gundagai and moved to the Snowy Mountains when I was 10.   From there, I completed my secondary education at Monaro High School and received my higher school certificate.   I have just completed the final year of my degree of Bachelor of Nursing at the University of Wollongong Bega campus.

Nursing to me, is the start of a chapter of many more to come.   I see nursing as a challenging but rewarding career that is forever changing and adapting.

My name is Jessica Richards, and I am a mum of two children and a wife to a supportive husband.  I am proud to say that two weeks ago I finally completed my Bachelor of Nursing at Wollongong University, Bega Campus.  My dream to become a nurse began at 18 years old, when I initially applied for a nursing degree and was accepted.   I was so excited when starting my course, however in the first few weeks of the course I began to doubt my abilities.   I then transferred to teaching.   Over the following years I had a successful teaching career as well as gaining Masters in Special Education and Teacher Librarianship.  Despite thoroughly enjoying teaching, I never stopped wondering what it would be like to be a nurse.   However, starting over in a new career seemed terrifying.   With the support of my husband, I decided to take the leap and chase my dream of becoming a nurse, beginning my degree in 2020.

In rural New South Wales [NSW], people face more barriers accessing healthcare than those who reside in metropolitan areas. Oftentimes, there are larger geographical distances that people must travel for specialised healthcare, and there are fewer allied health professionals and doctors. Adding to the complexity, people who live in rural areas also experience higher rates of chronic disease, co-morbidities, and premature death that is largely preventable.

Furthermore, specific to my hometown in the Bega Valley, and other nearby rural towns, communities have been impacted by cumulative natural disasters including floods, devastating bushfires, drought, the Covid19 pandemic and even mice plagues.

There are many reasons why I wish to be a rural nurse, the real question is why would I not want to be a rural nurse?   I currently reside in Maffra, after spending my childhood years in Sale.   I am currently employed with a local disability service where I provide support and access to the local facilities.  As part of the organisation, we run a not for profit café where clients can develop their skills and strengthen their employment opportunities.    I am a netball coach with the Sale Net ball association were I donate my time to coach young netballers, fundraise and volunteer with in the club

Growing up in a regional community I have seen first-hand the importance and impact that rural hospitals have on communities.   They have demonstrated that there is more to healthcare then just providing medical services; that it provides community support.   The sense of community is an important factor for me as I have grown up assisting the community through many services projects, such as Lions Australia and the Australian Mentoring Experience (EIME).

It was through these programs that I demonstrated my passion for serving others and was inspired to become a health professional.  the community has attracted me into rural nursing as it demonstrated a holistic approach to health and the benefits a community can have on an individual’s health and well being.

I have grown up in a rural community and I always wanted to give back to this community. I am married to a dairy farmer, and we have 2 children and live on the family farm.  I have always lived in the Gippsland region near Maffra and experienced a wonderful rural upbringing and I want the same for my children. I am currently working within my local rural community in an aged care facility as an enrolled nurse. While in this role I care for the elderly, building a rapport with them and their families, communicating effectively, and I have the confidence to speak up and advocate for them if something was not right.

From my experience as an enrolled nurse, I decided I wanted to give more back to my community holistically and clinically so I decided to complete my Bachelor of Nursing degree.

Since a young age I always knew I wanted to be a nurse. Growing up my younger brother spent a lot of time in and out of hospitals due to illnesses and allergies. The many hospital appointments and procedures opened my eyes to the industry and it is here I became fascinated with the nursing career. Being surrounded by such a caring, loving, and supportive environment made me idolise these nurses and passionate in thinking that’s what I wanted to do with my life. I was born and raised in the local Sale and Maffra community which I also attended school and played for local community sporting groups. I love the community I live in and wouldn’t of had it any other way. After graduating high school I started my bachelor of nursing degree at federation university Churchill campus.

Throughout my degree I spent majority of my 800 placement hours within local community hospitals within the area.

Having lived my whole life in the East Gippsland area, I have always been heavily involved in my local community.   So, beginning my nursing career at Central Gippsland Health Service (Sale) hospital was a simple choice.   Remaining local provides me with the opportunity to give back to that community and the people that have supported me.   Growing up on a local farming property, I feel that I have a special understanding of the issues facing rural communities in accessing health care.   This will allow me to utilise my skills to provide appropriate nursing care beneficial to the health of this population.

Nursing has been a passion of mine for quite some time, having had 5 children I was unable to achieve my dream while they were young.  Moving from the Mornington Peninsula in my 20’s with 5 kids in tow I moved to Far East Gippsland on the Wallagaraugh River situated 45 minutes form the coastal town of Mallacoota.   It was here I come to learn the paramountcy of rural nursing, which led me to enrol myself in a paediatric first aid course, as I waw aware emergency help was at least an hour away.  Despite the fact I was still unable to fulfill my dream of becoming a nurse as I lived too remote on dial up internet with no mains power running a beef farm.   This made me become more aware of the importance of nurses in the bush and their role in rural communities.