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.