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.

Firstly, I wish to sincerely thank you for accepting my application for the Australian Rotary Health Rural Nursing Scholarship for 2025 (RC of Sale). It is an incredible opportunity and will assist in many aspects of my Graduate nurse year.

I finished the Bachelor of Nursing at Federation University in November 2024. I was an Enrolled nurse prior to commencing the degree and I was able to obtain a credit for the first year of studies. I completed my Enrolled Nurse training when I was 19 yrs old in Melbourne in an aged care institution, 1987. At the time I believed I possessed only 2 skills, caring for people and providing empathy. I have tried other vocations but I keep returning to nursing. My fear of failure prohibited me from attempting the degree for over 30yrs. Finally, I had no disruptions or distractions and I committed to giving university life a chance.  I bravely embarked on learning new computer skills, how nursing has evolved, the global impact of nursing and nurses from the perspective of the World Health Organization, through to focusing on individualised person centred care.

One highlight undertaken during my degree was an international placement to Nepal in September, 2024. A group of 20 students travelled to a town called Benapar where we participated in observing and interacting with the nursing staff at Scheer Memorial Adventist Hospital. The experience was at times confronting due to the economic disadvantage of the Nepalese people. We had to learn to respect and accept the different cultures, religious believes and financial limitations which led to lower expectations, unique life experiences and various health illnesses. The role of the nurse was also diverse; they appeared less stressed, to have a reduced amount of accountability and lacked the resources to work to Australian standards. The nurses didn’t have access to medication information or the latest research evidence. There was no after care services offered on discharge to people and no community education programs post diagnoses to create independence and improve health literacy. This experience has enlightened me and increased my appreciation for the Australian Health System and my role in providing quality health care.

On the 20^th January I started my Graduate year at Bairnsdale Regional Health Service commencing at Gippsland Lakes Complete Health centre in Lakes Entrance, working in the clinic. My brain is working overtime trying to remember everyone’s name and role in the organisation. I am also working hard to recall all that I have learnt at university when assessing clients, however I have been well supported by the nurses working around me who frequently provide their wealth of knowledge, advice and assistance.

Thank you for taking the time to read my first report and I’m sure they will improve throughout the year. I am excited to find out what I learn and what challenges may cross my path on this new journey of my life as a graduate nurse.

I commenced my Graduate nurse role at Gippsland Lakes Complete Health (GLCH) in Lakes Entrance from late January 2025. Having completed three months, I feel calmer at work but I’m still aware there are countless gaps in my knowledge. The centre is a health care hub but not a hospital or an emergency department (ED). I have been working in the clinic with the doctors. Most of my clients walk in with no appointments to see a nurse for; wound care, regular prescribed injections, to be triaged or they present with the doctors who request treatment such as, post minor surgical procedure care, ongoing wound care, immunisation, ECG or needing ambulance transfer to Bairnsdale ED.

I have noted there is some confusion by the community, visitors to the area and Ambulance Victoria as to the limitations and expectations of the nursing clinic at GLCH. People assume we have the facilities and the expertise to manage all health issues without going to hospital, but our doctors are fully booked with appointments and the nursing clinic hours commence and surpass the availability of the doctors. I have learnt to direct and educate clients to access the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department (VVED) using their phone when there are no appointments for people who need medical attention. This service is free to all people in Victoria and available for 24hrs. The GP can write scripts but not for regular medications, write referrals for pathology, x-rays and scans but they don’t provide work certificates. This service has drawbacks for people who have reduced technological knowledge or access to a devise with video and audio. This eliminates most of the elderly and low socioeconomic clients, both groups have a higher than normal demand for medical care due to poor health literacy so unfortunately, we must rely on our doctors.

I am also hearing the higher cost of living is impacting our clients who are reporting not being able to manage the costs of health care which is also going up in price. GLCH is a government organisation where bulk billing for appointments is provided. Clients pay $6.50 to $15 to see a nurse but if they have wound dressings, they need to pay for these too and that becomes costly. As nurses we are mindful of the cost of care to our clients and we choose dressing materials based on best evidence-based practise but also on affordability. Our aim is always to reduce infection and promote healing for clients with wounds. We also practise identifying infections early and intervening with appropriate treatment.

In addition to learning about external health services for the community and the price of health care, I have needed to enact the assessment skills that I was introduced to during my time as a student at university. When I first meet a client in the waiting room, I instantly conduct a head to toe assessment. Once they are in the clinic, I need to focus my assessment and at the start I noticed my brain struggling to recall the appropriate assessments. Thankfully, time and confidence are improving my assessment skills and I am needing less support in this area. The experienced nursing staff, who have their own nursing specialities and workload, have been incredibly supportive and answer my questions or offer advise when I ask for help or clarification. They are very understanding of my position and level of knowledge.

I am aware of the need to push myself and start learning advanced nursing skills which will be required in the acute setting when I return to BRHS in mid-July. I am enjoying the pace of learning, building confidence, developing assessment skills and learning to triage clients at GLCH.