A mine site nurse for example might be responsible for providing medication for minor health ailments and ensuring the clinic is kept stocked. It could also require going underground in an ambulance to provide first aid to a mine worker. Hands-on nursing may only account for 20 percent of the work, other responsibilities could include counselling, health promotion and safety audits.
Many positions for RANs offer benefits such as free or subsidised accommodation, including paid professional development, and bonus payments after accumulating a year or more service. Meals are often provided or otherwise paid for, and other expenses may also be covered. Generally RANs attract a good hourly rate plus other financial incentives.
Remote Area Nursing jobs are not for everybody, time away from home and family can exacerbate the feeling of isolation. Even when working as a member of a small team, the team members may be geographically distant from each other or they may work on different shifts. A big challenge is having to travel to remote locations with some RANs working on a fly in fly out (FIFO) or drive in drive out (DIDO) basis. There may also be limited equipment and resources on site. However, most health services provide a full induction or orientation and offer ongoing support to nurses working in remote areas.
Those who are currently working as Remote Area Nurses say they enjoy the exposure to traditional culture when working among indigenous communities, and seeing ancient traditions and ceremonies which many people don’t get to experience. They are usually well respected members of the community and are often invited to engage in local crafts such as beading and creating baskets. Those who work in the tourism, mining or agricultural industry say they enjoy meeting travellers and locals, and getting an in-depth experience of life in the outback.
Generally those wanting to work as Remote Area Nurses are required to be registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), and have at least three years’ experience as a Registered Nurse. Remote Area Nurses are required to have a broad range of skills to cover emergency care as well as more general health issues.
Healthstaff Recruitment currently has a range of nursing jobs available, check out our nursing jobs Australia listings.