Originally from New Zealand, Rebecca shares her travel nursing journey in Australia.
Q: What drew you to mental health nursing, and what keeps you passionate about it?
Rebecca: I have been a Registered Nurse for 28 years and worked in two areas of General Medicine for 5 years and Community Mental Health for 6 months in a Rural area. My passion for working in mental health is to help and to make a difference for someone - clients, family or both.
Q: What inspired you to take on locum work in regional or rural Australia, and how has it shaped your career?
Rebecca: My first working contract is the 4 E’s to embrace, enjoy, explore and experience being here in Australia. It has given me the opportunity to work in an Inpatient setting under Queensland Health Service.
Q: Can you share a memorable experience that shows the impact of mental health nursing in a rural community?
Rebecca: My experience working in a diverse culture in Mental health is seeing the processes, support and benefits for our First Nations Indigenous people. There are other resources available to them in the community.
What I have observed since working in Inpatient nursing processes is different here in Rockhampton than back home in New Zealand. The impact it had on me was brief; I had to adjust and go with the flow, and I’m here to work. As nurses, we do face challenges in all aspects of nursing, and we need to adhere to follow policies and procedures. It is an interesting nursing concept. That’s why it’s been put in place.
Q: What advice would you give to mental health nurses curious about locum work but haven’t taken the leap yet?
Rebecca: My first experience with Medac Healthcare locum agency for me is the ongoing contact and support from my recruiter consultants - Jade and Linda - they were my go-to ladies.
My introduction with Medac Healthcare was to apply with a checklist for onboarding, online compliance, which is a requirement to set up for agency locum work. It was a mission we gradually got there eventually. Medac Healthcare ladies have been with ongoing and open communication via emails and phone calls.
I’m in my early 60s but it’s never too late to do travel nursing as it has given me a new lease of life, and the opportunity to explore Australia. I’ll be back later next year for another 6-week contract here in lovely Australia.
I would recommend Medacs Healthcare to other fellow colleagues, nurses enrol locum agency. Your profession will take you anywhere, to places you have never been in Australia.
I’m in my last week coming off a 6-week contract. I sightsee, I hired a car and spent the weekend visiting Keppel Island, Ferry cruise, Emu Park, local Zoo, and Yeppoon here in Rockhampton. On your days off, you can go sightseeing and explore.
My inspiration for working locum agency is working in Mental Health Inpatient and earning exceptional money gives me the opportunity to embrace, explore, enjoy and experience travel nursing in Australia.
Thank you, Medacs Healthcare, for your ongoing support. I am very grateful and appreciative of the introduction and transition to locum work.
