SustainHealth Candidate Experience: Rewards of Remote Area Nursing with Nicolas
Remote Area Nursing is one of the most challenging yet rewarding careers in healthcare. Nicolas, one of our experienced remote area nurses, shared how he started in remote nursing and what has kept him going.
Read on to learn from his experience:
What got you into remote area nursing and what’s kept you there?
“Ever since my first nursing studies, I’ve wanted to work where people didn’t have access to the high level of healthcare I grew up with. I’ve had experience in various specialties, from ICU to aged care. Then, six years ago, I had the opportunity to study remote area nursing and tropical diseases in London. After that, I undertook missions in incredible places like Nepal and Papua New Guinea, where I learned a great deal. When COVID-19 emerged and our borders closed, a long-time nurse friend suggested I apply for a RAN position—I haven’t looked back since. Since then, I’ve worked in the Pilbara and Kimberley regions of WA, Arnhem Land, the Central Desert of the NT, and the APY lands of South Australia. The variety and the opportunities have continually drawn me back.”
What do you like about Remote Area Nursing?
“I love meeting new people in different communities, embracing the variety and challenges, working in small teams, and sometimes being my own boss. The experiences, both clinical and social, have been manifold and very enriching. Each community is unique, offering everything from vaccination drives to late-night evacuations on a lonely airstrip. I particularly cherish the vastness of this land and experiencing the sunsets, the always surprising weather extremes, the starry nights in the deserts, and the views from the air. Australia is unique, and I feel very fortunate to visit places that few ever see. Working flexible contracts has also allowed me to take on another mission overseas.”
What are the biggest challenges you find working in the field?
“There is always more to learn, and this challenges me to remain open to different ways of solving problems. Each community has its limitations, and acceptance is key. An elder recently told me that it’s not the communities that are remote from the cities but the other way around—remote is relative. Isolation from my family and loved ones is a challenge, but I have colleagues and community members around me. Maintaining relationships through emails, texts, and social media messaging is also a high priority for me.”
What would your advice be for someone considering this specialty?
“To anyone considering this specialty, I would advise: emergency skills are important, as are diverse clinical experiences and supervisory and administrative experience—running a clinic is as much about back-office work as it is hands-on. Be honest about your personal attributes and form good relationships with your colleagues. Embrace the positives of meeting people from different cultures. You will need to think outside the box, be adaptable, and remain tolerant in the face of adversity. Remember, you are never expected to know everything, and help is just a phone or video call away.”
Why SustainHealth?
“I joined SustainHealth on a recommendation from a colleague and have had interesting experiences with them. Planning time off from work can be challenging during times of high demand, and they have been flexible about contracts so I can maintain a healthy work-life balance.”
If you’re a remote area nurse or interested in exploring this dynamic field, CRANAplus offers both face-to-face and online courses tailored for health professionals. These training opportunities are designed to enhance your skills and ensure high-quality care in remote settings. Check out their course offerings at CRANAplus.
For those seeking remote nursing or midwifery positions, feel free to reach out to our team at info@sustainhr.com.au. We’re here to help guide you through the opportunities and support your career in remote healthcare.