Go Rural student roadtrip visits Hunter New England

Last week, 20 medical, nursing and allied health students took part in an adventure through Singleton, Narrabri, Bingara, Inverell, Tenterfield, Glen Innes, Armidale and Tamworth as part of a four-day ‘Go Rural’ road trip, hosted by RDN. 

The benefits of working rurally were well and truly on show as the students immersed themselves in the culture of each town, learned valuable insight from a range of industry professionals, and experienced some amazing food thanks to the warm reception offered in each location.

The students visited hospitals, Multi-Purpose Services, Aboriginal Health Services and allied health groups. They also enjoyed opportunities to network with local farmers, the Country Women's Association and Councils, Junior Medical Officers, nurses, allied health professionals, GP Rural Generalists, and RDN Cadets. A tour highlight was the Aboriginal cultural experience with Len Waters. 

Allied health faculties were well represented on the tour. Third year Occupational Therapy student Angela Tse, of Western Sydney University, found the whole experience immensely rewarding and eye opening as to the challenges and rewards of rural health: “I have been touched by the hospitality and warm welcome by all the local community and health members who shared their candid personal and professional experiences of working and living rural with us,” Tse said.  

For second year Nursing student Lawrence Wong of UTS, the tour was similarly eye-opening: “Before coming on the trip, I had some misconceptions, like the lack of clinical support or the local community being insular,” Wong said. “The willingness to upskill nurses and the autonomy given was really surprising, plus the commitment from the community to welcome health professionals creates a very attractive package. I am definitely going to email some places we visited to see if I can do some EN shifts during uni breaks!” 

Dominic Russell, a first year Medicine from the University of Notre Dame is also now a true believer in the opportunities of rural health: “Seeing the resourcefulness, humility and kindness of rural health workers has been truly inspiring. There is no doubt in my mind that rural medicine is for me!”  

Pictured right: Allied health students in Tenterfield, L-R: Jamilla Smith (Speech Pathology, Western Sydney University), Madelyn Smith (Occupational Therpay University of New Castle), Ashley Darvell (Dietetics/Nutrition, University of Wollongong), Lawrence Wong (Nursing at University of Technology, Sydney), Dawn Dyson (Optometry, University of Canberra), Sang Nguyen (Nursing, University of Sydney) and Angela Tse (Occupational Therapy, Western Sydney University).

How to sign up for the next Go Rural!  

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram or keep an eye on Monday Message for upcoming announcements regarding the next Go Rural dates and how to apply.  

MORE:

• Quirindi CWA hopes chicken and corn soup could help cure its doctor shortage as medical students visit (ABC) 

• Future doctors visit Quirindi to experience life in regional areas (Glenn Innes Examiner) 

• Twenty medical students travel across New England as part of road trip for future doctors, nurses and other allied health professionals (Tenterfield Star)

• Rural Doctors Network brings students to Tamworth to experience working in regional NSW (The Northern Daily Leader)

• Medical students try country life (Narrabri Courier)

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