Health students embrace ‘Go Rural’ experience on four-day road trip in NSW

Twenty medical, nursing and allied health students have just completed a four-day trip across NSW as part of RDN's Go Rural program which showcases the benefits of choosing a rural health career. 

Go Rural is an initiative created and funded by RDN following research that attributed exposure during medical training to an increased likelihood of medical students entering rural practice after graduation.  

As part of the trip, students engaged in practice visits, clinical activities, community events, themed dinners, cultural events and historical exhibitions in towns including Mudgee, Dubbo, Coonamble, Walgett, Brewarinna, Nyngan, Trundle, Parkes and Orange.

Liam Spence, a former paramedic who is studying Graduate Medicine at the University of Wollongong, took part in the Go Rural trip and found the experience to be beneficial.

“I don’t have a big rural background so it’s been really nice to see how much the community pulls together to do things,” Liam said. “The healthcare community is made up of a really tight-knit team, they are really supportive and collegiate, which is refreshing compared to a metropolitan setting where things can be more competitive.”

"For me, this trip has reaffirmed the things I thought were going to be interesting about rural practice, renewed my excitement about a future rural health career, and given me a realistic understanding of what it will be like,” he said.

RDN’s Future Workforce Manager, Chris Russell, said Go Rural, which is now in its third year, offered NSW students a unique insight into the many benefits associated with choosing a career in rural health.

 “It’s always such a privilege to witness the enthusiasm students walk away with each day; they can make up their own minds about what rural health looks like outside of what they read or hear about in the news,” he said.

 “Go Rural is one of many RDN strategies in place to develop more sustainable long-term health solutions for our remote, rural and regional towns.”