Go Rural
Rural road trip for university health care students
Each year, as part of its commitment to growing and supporting the future rural health workforce, RDN organises "Go Rural" student road trips to rural and remote areas of New South Wales. Over four days, Go Rural takes university students out to visit medical facilities and hear from guest speakers, as well as participate in community and cultural events such as farm visits and Aboriginal culture tours. It offers an incredible opportunity for medical, nursing and allied health students to see first-hand the benefits of working rurally and forms part of RDN's program of rural immersion experiences designed to encourage students towards a career in rural health.
Who can apply?
Go Rural is open to university students enroled in a medical (1st or 2nd year ONLY), nursing, midwifery or allied health degree in NSW/ACT. This includes overseas students. Up to 20 students will be selected to participate in each event.
Cost
Go Rural is funded by the Department of Health and Aged Care (DoHAC) and administered by the Rural Doctors Network (RDN).
The program funding covers the cost of:
- coach transport
- shared accommodation
- most meals
- all activities/tours.
Dates and Itineraries
The Go Rural program has concluded for 2024.
We had 60 students participate in 3 unique trips across NSW:
- The first Go Rural trip for 2024 took place in May and journeyed through north western New South Wales.
- The second Go Rural for 2024 showcased south-western New South Wales in July.
- The third and final Go Rural for 2024 went north along the coast to Tweed Valley and Lismore.
Go Rural will be back in 2025!
Keep an eye on this page and our social media, or sign up for our newsletter at the link below to be sure not to miss further details for this trip as they're released!
Testimonial
Nicola Murphy, Doctor of Medicine student at the University of Notre Dame, says the Go Rural trip she took to far western NSW has shown her working rurally doesn’t mean her opportunities are limited.
“Rural communities are so willing to support health professionals, and it’s great to have the opportunity to see that as a doctor, nurse or allied health professional, you are so valued within the community,” she said.
Nicola spent her childhood years growing up on her family’s farm in the Darling Downs region of Queensland, where she says she witnessed the amazing relationships rural GPs can have with their patients.
“I realised I want to have a similar relationship with my patients one day, to guide them in tough times and support them in great times.
“My goal is to become a Rural Generalist and deliver integrated care that supports patients’ physical, mental and emotional health.”
Go Rural provides students like Nicola the opportunity to form connections not only with rural NSW communities but also with her fellow students. Nicola says these networking opportunities are extremely important.
“We are easily influenced at this stage in our careers, so being able to have these experiences as a group is really important.
“Meeting rural health professionals, viewing the facilities in rural communities and imagining ourselves there in the future, has been an excellent experience.”
Nicola Murphy, Doctor of Medicine student at the University of Notre Dame and Go Rural August 2019 participant.
Read more:
- Medical and healthcare students tour north coast NSW to encourage careers in rural health - RDN, 23 September 2024
- RDN’s south-west NSW Go Rural trip “absolutely solidified my desire to work rurally” - RDN, 22 July, 2024
- Go Rural an “enlightening” experience as 20 healthcare students experience northwest NSW - RDN, 6 May, 2024
- Go Rural student roadtrip visits central west - RDN, 21 August 2023
- Quirindi CWA hopes chicken and corn soup could help cure its doctor shortage as medical students visit ABC, 2 June 2023.
- Quirindi residents turned away from GP clinics as books close NBN News, June 1, 2023.
- Students reflect on Go Rural Roadtrip - RDN, 8 May 2023.
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Rural road trip gives health students a taste of life and work in western NSW amid staff shortage - ABC, 9 June 2022.
Find out more
Email students@nswrdn.com.au if you would like any help or to learn more about the exciting opportunities of a rural health career.
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