Medical and healthcare students experience the beautiful NSW South Coast

Last week, twenty medical, nursing and allied health students from NSW set off on a four-day tour of the south coast designed to encourage participants to consider the benefits and rewards of a rural health career.

Hosted by RDN from funding provided by the DoHAC, this was the fourth and final ‘Go Rural’ road trip for the year. Students experienced GP practice and hospital tours, clinical activities, community events, farm visits and social functions in Eurobodalla Shire visiting Nowra, Milton, Moruya, Narooma, Tilba Tilba, Bega, Tathra, Bombala, returning to Sydney via the Monaro and Goulburn.

GR19 Thank you Rebecca and Belinda

RDN Future Workforce Project Lead, Eleanor Knight, says Go Rural provides students with educational and lifestyle experiences often unique to the towns they visit.

“Since 2019, RDN’s annual ‘Go Rural’ road trips have provided over three hundred students with opportunities to experience the many and varied benefits of working and living in rural communities,” Eleanor said.

“The students get to experience first-hand what their professional and personal day-to-day life could look like and how rewarding it can be.

“Thanks to funding from the Federal Government, RDN also offers a number of scholarships and cadetship opportunities focused on attracting and building a larger and more sustainable workforce in remote, rural and regional communities”.

University of Notre Dame Medical student Sydney Jantos said of the trip, "I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the communities we visited and how they support each other both within the health centres and outside.

I felt immediately welcomed and that I could be a part of something bigger than myself if I chose to work there."

Rachel Phillips, a Medicine student at the University of Wollongong says the trip motivated her to seek out more experiences of rural life,

"Connecting with a fun, passionate and diverse range of peers was incredible! Getting a taste of life in the rural side only whet my appetite for more."

During their visit to Nowra, students were welcomed to the Waminda Women's Health and Wellbeing Aboriginal Corporation, a favourite stop for pre-Medicine student at the University of Wollongong Lauren Frawley.

"I enjoyed most the Waminda visit. The vast range of health facilities and care available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women was incredible. The passion and diverse care was inspiring, providing consistent ongoing care with the doors always being open to any First Nation women in need."