“I wish I could have stayed longer”: Bush Bursary students bound to be back!

University summer holidays have been jampacked with rural experiences from suturing to swimming for 32 medical, nursing and midwifery students, during their Rural Doctors Network (RDN) Bush Bursary and Country Women’s Association (CWA) Scholarship placements in rural NSW.

University of Notre Dame second-year medical student Mallory Ledger was one of several students to feature in regional newspapers as these young ambassadors for the future of rural health brought their unique enthusiasm to country communities around the state: “It was really, really cool to see the diversity of practice that you’ve got to have under your belt working rurally,” she told ABC Breakfast Radio. “There are some challenges but - far out you’ve got to learn fast! And I think you’re going to be a far better practitioner for it,” she said.

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“It’s absolutely amazing to see how switched on everyone is out here and how much everyone cares about the community and really gets the job done, really goes above and beyond to look out for the community.

“And then equally seeing how the community pays back; in the hospital seeing all sorts of machines that have been sponsored by the local rugby club or donated by a local couple, it’s just really heartwarming to see.”

Rural exposure early in a healthcare students’ career has been proven to positively influence their motivation to work or train rurally in the future. The RDN Bush Bursary program receives funding from Councils and the CWA to provide financial support for students to undertake a two-week placement during their university holidays. This year, 16 Councils sponsored students, and the CWA sponsored four students on their placements. The program is part of a suite of activities managed by RDN to encourage and nurture the rural health professionals of tomorrow.

Selected medical, midwifery, and nursing students in NSW and the ACT are provided with up to $1,500 to assist with costs, allowing the opportunity for immersion in rural life - both in and outside the clinical setting. Bursary recipients are often paired up by RDN, giving them the opportunity to network with local health professionals and community members, as well as connect with their fellow student.

Multidisciplinary placements offer new perspective on healthcare

Bush Bursary placements are designed to provide a rural immersion experience by combining the enjoyable aspects of country life and rural medicine as students shadow a range of rural health practitioners, from nurses to paramedics, Outreach providers to surgeons and everything in between. Students often find the holistic nature of rural healthcare to be an exciting form of medicine that allows them to learn from the broad scope of knowledge of rural healthcare providers.

“My time in Singleton spanned emergency medicine, general practice, maternity care, rehabilitation, renal dialysis, and community disability services, and through this, I saw the breadth and complexity of rural healthcare, where practitioners must be adaptable and resourceful in ways that aren’t as commonly required in metropolitan settings,” said Mallory Ledger.

“Without the immediate availability of specialists or 24-hour imaging, rural emergency care demands strong clinical reasoning and practical problem-solving, as decisions often need to be made with limited diagnostic support.

“Singleton’s ED team was highly skilled at adapting to the resources available, ensuring patients received the best possible care, even if that meant advocating for transfers or getting creative with management strategies.”

Medical student from the University of Wollongong Darcy Ryan, was placed in Ballina:

“I participated in daily ward rounds, took patient histories, and performed physical examinations…”, he said. “ I spent time in the Emergency Department (ED), where I triaged patients, performed histories and examinations, and assisted with minor procedures like cannula insertions and toenail removals.

“These experiences deepened my appreciation for the multidisciplinary approach essential in rural healthcare settings,” Darcy said.

Medical students Aaron Lyte-Mason from Macquarie University and Amir Hashemi Pour from the University of Wollongong, were placed in Canowindra and Cowra with former RDN Cadet and long-time board member Dr Ros Bullock. “I learnt so much under the guidance of Dr Bullock and had great opportunities in the ED to practice my examination and history skills,” Aaron said.

“Dr Bullock and the extended team of medical professionals that I encountered during my stay welcomed both Amir and me with incredible hospitality and willingness to teach and assist. During this placement I have experienced a greater variety of medicine and practiced more clinical skills than I have in my entire life.”

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Rural lifestyle offers work-life balance

Bush Bursary placements are not only a unique clinical opportunity for students but equally seek to offer an insight into all that a country life has to offer.

Nursing students Charles Jackson, from the University of Newcastle, and Zali Beuzeville, from the University of Notre Dame, were placed in Hay, where they “did not waste a single minute” during their two-weeks.

“We participated in everything we could, from yoga in the park to meat raffles at the local favourite pub; we tried to make the most of every opportunity we could,” Charles said.

Darcy also made the most of his two-week placement, saying, “I was keen to fully experience as much as the region had to offer and to solidify my desire to live and work here in the future and I am glad to say this was a resounding success.”

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“The placement offered a balance of clinical exposure, community interaction, and personal growth, shaping my understanding of rural medicine and strengthening my aspirations to pursue a career in regional healthcare,” Darcy said. “These experiences underscored the strong sense of community and the work-life balance that rural living offers.”

For Amir Hashemi Pour, the country town experience left an impression of well-needed balance:

“Life in a rural town has its own charm. The stunning farm landscapes, lookouts and wineries in Canowindra, Cowra and Orange were a great escape from the busy clinical days. I can definitely envisage a life where I balance my time between doing some farm work and, similar to Dr Bullock, operating a small business alongside medicine,” Amir said.

Healthcare is an integral element of community wellbeing, and support from Councils and local CWAs exemplifies the generous and welcoming nature of rural communities to the future rural health workforce.

“I had the privilege of meeting Ballina Mayor Sharon Cadwallader and Councillor Simon Kinny during my first day in town,” Darcy said. “They warmly welcomed me and shared insights into the community, local events, and hidden gems in the area.

“Councillor Kinny, a retired orthopaedic surgeon, offered great advice on surgical training and rural healthcare opportunities. Their enthusiasm for fostering future healthcare professionals in the region was inspiring.”

The inter-connectedness of healthcare workers with their wider community, and the appreciation of those they look after, has been a noteworthy element for many students.

Bush Bursaries fostering the future rural health workforce

The resounding sentiment from students? They’ll be back in the bush! As Amir Hashemi Pour told RDN after his placement, “This program has definitely strengthened my desire to work rurally and inspired me closer towards a generalist career! I’m so grateful for everything I’ve learned and will cherish the memories and wisdom I have gained for the rest of my career!”

Interested in applying for a Bush Bursary and CWA Scholarship placement?

RDN offers a range of rural immersion opportunities for healthcare students throughout the year, including Bush Bursaries. Stay up to date on the latest application dates by: