High school students attend first RDN-AIS nurse camp at Dubbo

NSW Rural Doctors Network (RDN), in collaboration with the Association of Independent Schools NSW (AIS NSW), was very pleased to bring together high school students from Dubbo and northern New South Wales for the inaugural RDN-AIS Pilot Nurse Camp Program, over the weekend of 23-25 September. Eighteen students from years 9-12 enjoyed a full weekend of activities designed to encourage their interest in pursuing nursing careers in rural areas.

The program included an all-areas tour of Dubbo Base Hospital by the Director of Nursing and Midwifery Sam Quarmby, who showed them the new state of the art Western Cancer Centre, along with the new dialysis unit and the cardiovascular centre and catheterisation laboratory.  

Also on the agenda was an Indigenous health and yarning information session, along with practical sessions on topics such as plastering, CPR, vital signs and anatomy. There was a Pathways to Nursing panel session, and a tour of vCare by nurse and midwife Robyn Whittaker, as well as a Royal Flying Doctor Service tour led by Dr Shannon Nott. 

For the student participants, the camp was an opportunity to broaden their understanding and knowledge of regional nursing, and to encourage their interest in studying nursing. For some, the excitement of a hands-on introduction to the technology of modern medical facilities was a highlight, while for others it was discovering the passion and community service spirit that nursing in rural areas inspires. 

The Nurse Camp forms part of a wide variety of RDN initiatives which aim to support health care pathways for students in rural and regional areas. We provide rural and regional high school students with information about scholarships for tertiary study, and information about support for rural-origin students studying health related degrees. We also hold an annual rural health careers forum.  

You can read more about our support for rural high school students, and look for news on future camps and events on our website HERE.