Hello Everyone!

My Name is Karl and I’m a Recruitment Administrator with HCA hailing from Queensland. I work alongside Rach, Kim, Hannah and Shaurne in our Brisbane office, specialising in Rural and Remote placements for healthcare professionals. I’ve been with the team for almost 6 months now and have learnt a lot in the past couple of months. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here so far.

On a weekly basis, I’ll have friends, family, Nurses and healthcare professionals of all disciplines ask me Karl…what on earth does Rural and Remote mean?. So I thought I’d take the opportunity to share with you my answer to this, and other frequently asked questions.

The main thing to remember is that ‘Rural’ and ‘Remote’ can be two very different things. Rural nursing can see you working at a small acute hospital with a couple of beds and a small emergency department in a small town. A Rural hospital is perfect if you are new to the Rural and Remote landscape, as you will build a wealth of knowledge and experience that will enable you to tackle smaller hospitals all the way down to clinics.

Remote nursing requires more specialty knowledge and experience and will sometimes require skills from high level training courses such as Remote Emergency Care, Maternity Emergency Care and Pharmacotherapeutics, just to name a few! We class Remote nursing as working in small clinics farther away from larger rural communities. Many of these areas have high indigenous populations and are far from the ‘Westernised’ Australia most of us experience.

Now, I’m sure a lot of you regular readers already knew the difference. However, you may not be aware of the valuable work and life experience that can await. The challenges, experiences and friendships that come along with working in such a unique and rewarding environment. The feeling of being able to build on your experience in the nursing industry at an accelerated rate, adding expertise in cultural awareness, new responsibilities in isolated communities and knowledge in knowing the appropriate approach when faced with literally anything that walks in those doors.

This is all in a day’s work for a typical Rural and/or Remote Nurse.

Does it sound like something you would like to try?

Who doesn’t love going on a working adventure? Whether you are interested in a Rural and/or Remote experience, I would highly recommend giving it a go. Both experiences can offer great professional development and are personally rewarding.

Myself, along with all our national consultants are always available to chat further about what opportunities are currently available that complements your skill set and preferences.

For more information, call us on 1300 885 728 or email us on [email protected]