Shows
CRANAcast: Recordings for the Road25: The Foxes: “Trust on both sides” - building connections within communitiesLisa and Ben Fox have become so embedded in the community of Ltyentye Apurte, residents say they’ve gone ahead and reserved a plot for them in the cemetery. The couple work as remote area nurses in this community 85km from Alice Springs, but say it doesn’t feel like work most of the time. They, and their two poodles Margo and Thomas, have built meaningful connections in the town, getting to know whole families from grandma to grandchild and everyone in between. Listen in to hear how rewarding working at an advanced scope of practice can be, the pair...2025-01-1725 min
Rural Leadership UnearthedNursing where the need is greatIn this expansive episode registered nurse, John Wright, reflects on the career he has built as a remote area nurse and clinical educator currently serving some of Australia’s most remote communities. John is a proud emissary for a career that he has found to be rewarding, challenging and rich.
Sitting down with our host, Claire Delahunty, John shares the winding path he walked on his way to join the ranks of a profession of which men make up just over ten percent. His love of ‘bush’ communities has remained a constant throughout his life...2024-11-1349 minCRANAcast: Recordings for the Road24: Lyn: Realities of very remote – you’re the call centre, ambulance, and the nurseLyn Byers has dedicated 24 years to serving some of Australia’s most isolated desert communities. As a registered nurse practitioner, midwife, and recipient of the 2022 Aurora Award for Remote Health Professional of the Year, Lyn shares why she remains committed to supporting the underserved communities of the APY Lands. Listen in to discover a day in her life at Nganampa Health Council where she works “right across the sphere” from babies to the elderly, from acute interventions to proactive health strategies. Hear the logistical challenges of being on-call in remote settings and gain professional development guidance tailored to aspiring primar...2024-06-1926 minCRANAcast: Recordings for the Road23: Karlene: Elephants, reindeer, and the vet in every nurseA career in nursing can offer flexibility and diversity. In this episode, we meet RN Karlene from Western Australia, who currently resides in a “treehouse home” in Zambia, where she uses her nursing skills to train rangers in CPR and assess orphaned elephants. Here, she shares how she juggles her competing passions of conservation and remote nursing; how she maintains her confidence and competence when stepping in and out of the profession; reflections from the remote Mongolian wilderness – a two-day reindeer ride from any road; and the reward of helping people to help themselves, across the globe.2024-04-1918 minCRANAcast: Recordings for the Road22: Amanda: “Lead with compassion” – holistic and culturally safe maternity careIt was a phone call Amanda’s dad made to the Geelong Hospital 38 years ago that would kickstart her wide-spanning career in nursing and midwifery – and eventually lead to her current focus: addressing health disparity through education. Amanda Forti, who oversees CRANAplus’ education maternity stream alongside Leonie McLaughlin, shares her career journey to midwifery education; advice for newcomers with reflections from the 2023 CRANAplus Conference; and breaks down CRANAplus maternity courses – who they are for, and what participants can expect to walk away with.
2024-02-1922 min
A Nurse Out WhereEpisode 80: giving backThis week we meet graduate RN Amy Timmings. Amy is currently completing her grad year in mental health and talks of her time living in rural and remote areas as a child and her desire to give back as an adult and a nurse.
If this episode is triggering for you, please reach out to the various mental health support options available including
Beyond Blue | 24/7 Support for Anxiety, Depression and Suicide Prevention
Lifeline Crisis Text Service | Lifeline Australia
Bush Support Line | 1800 805 391 | CRANAplus
If you are interested in more information or s...2024-02-1125 minCRANAcast: Recordings for the Road21: Leigh: Remote nursing as a second-careerMeet former accountant Leigh Moore, whose long-term interest in nursing and tenacity to make a difference has helped her overcome doubt she faced changing careers later in life. Here, Leigh discusses small acts that can improve the lives of older Australians; two-way community support; and the diverse opportunities in R&R communities for budding RANs.
2023-12-1815 minCRANAcast: Recordings for the Road20: Diana: A transitioned approach – from metro to remote as an ENIn our 20th episode of CRANAcast, we hear from enrolled nurse Diana Circona about her journey from metro to regional, rural and now remote health practice. Currently employed as a psychosocial mental health coordinator on the borders of WA, SA and the NT, Diane kindly shares the challenges she’s overcome, and tips and encouragement for ENs interested in expanding their scope of practice in rural and remote Australia. 2023-10-1919 minCRANAcast: Recordings for the Road19. Anita: “Brave but wise about your practice” – Remote nursing in WAAfter some time spent as a Clinical Nurse Manager in the Gascoyne region of WA, Anita Tamowicz has recently come back to nursing: a career she adores though never pictured herself pursuing. In this episode, Anita shares her unconventional journey into remote health via an Anthropology thesis; why listening to and building rapport with each patient is critical in achieving positive health outcomes; and her love of small community camaraderie and “learning to love the simple things”. 2023-08-1814 minCRANAcast: Recordings for the Road18. Keppel: Overcoming “fear of maternity” through educationOver the last 12 years, Keppel has supported hundreds of remote health professionals gain confidence in their maternity skills as a CRANAplus course facilitator. Keppel is a “country boy at heart” who has basked in the glow of many a Jabiru sunset, and although other commitments have him temporarily side-lined from remote health practice, volunteering as a facilitator has enabled him to stay engaged in the sector. Here he discusses “crossing the divide” to become an educator, helicopter retrievals in locations without runways, and working near outback holiday destinations. 2023-06-1919 minCRANAcast: Recordings for the Road17. Sheryl: “Painted in ochre” – Treasured memories from Central AustraliaSheryl Alexander RN RM immerses us in her journey from psychiatric nursing in Tasmania to outreach midwifery in the Northern Territory. Throughout her career she’s found herself “falling into fantastic jobs and loving them” and has learned to “provide the service [clients] want, not the service I think they should have.” Here, she talks about midwifery group practice, participating in cultural events via invitation, and making ante- and post-natal education fun (think tie-dye singlets and exotic fruit).
2023-04-1922 minCRANAcast: Recordings for the Road16. Glenda: “Interesting and challenging all the time”Clinical Midwifery Manager Glenda Gleeson, who works in Central Australia, encourages anyone thinking about transitioning to remote health to “step out and give it a go” with the right preparation. Glenda recalls her own fulfilling journey from RN to remote midwifery and shares what it is like to be part of the passionate Maternal and Women’s Health team providing health promotion and care to remote communities across Central Australia. Through Glenda’s stories, you’ll hear memories of travelling across the amazing countryside, gratitude for gaining insight into Aboriginal culture, along with her top tips on how to prepare fo...2023-03-1617 min
For The Health of ItPrioritising your mental health working in remote communities with Laura from CRANA PlusWelcome to For The Health Of It Podcast, a Healthcare Australia Podcast, made for healthcare professionals, brought to you by nurses on the inside. We are Xana & Jess, HCAs Brand Ambassadors - here to bring you real chats with nurses and healthcare professionals about all things healthcare. We will be having real, raw and honest conversations about what it is really like behind the scenes.
This week we are interviewing mental health and wellbeing educator for CRANA plus, Laura. Laura is a mental health nurse who has a wealth of experience in the rural and remote space, b...2023-03-0721 minCRANAcast: Recordings for the Road15. Di: “We are a part of the solution” – examining the role of NPAn “outside the box” approach is needed to fill the gaps in our current healthcare system, says Di Thornton RN and endorsed NP. With almost fifty years of nursing experience up her sleeve, Di shares her passionate views on the value of nurse practitioners and takes us into her world of owning and operating a health clinic in Pinnaroo, in the Murray Mallee region of SA.2023-02-1719 minCRANAcast: Recordings for the Road14. Lorraine: Maximising continuity of care on the CapeLorraine Woods, Far North Queensland Midwife and recipient of the 2022 Ray Wyeth Early to Remote Practice Award shares her passion for remote health and some advice for entering “a field of lifelong learning”. In this episode, she deep dives into the role of a clinically endorsed midwife; what it’s like in Weipa; the launch of the Weipa Birthing Project; and some tips and encouragement for those considering a remote midwifery career.2023-01-1918 minCRANAcast: Recordings for the Road13. Wendy: "You could write a book about it"Deep within the Cairns Hinterland, Wendy responds to emergencies, manages and prescribes medications for chronic illness, and assists community members to navigate the healthcare system. In this wide-ranging episode, she recalls the days of starched white uniforms and red capes when nurses smoked by the bedside; working with a diverse permanent and itinerant client base; the calming properties of landscapes that are "green everywhere"; and the antics of the world's biggest lace monitor.2022-12-1923 minCRANAcast: Recordings for the Road12. Lorraine: The beauty, collaboration & generosity of remote AustraliaSeeking a new challenge and a career change after 20 years of emergency care, Lorraine Harry shares her experience of transitioning to remote health, and why she fell in love with it. In this episode, Lorraine reflects on her career and the past five years as Quality & Safety Officer at Mala’la Aboriginal Health Service, Maningrida in the heart of Arnhem Land. Listen in to hear some of the ways her community are working together to address challenges and improve health outcomes in the region; important skills and attributes of being a Clinical Educator; the best parts of Lorraine’s role...2022-11-1817 minCRANAcast: Recordings for the Road11. Kellie: "A gift from Country and Culture"Arrernte woman and RN with 26 years of experience, Kellie Kerin shares her journey to her present role with AMSANT, from her grad year in Geelong Hospital to bush nursing in communities, opal mining towns and outback stations. Also in this episode, Kellie talks reuniting with her heritage, lessons in cooking barramundi, how changes in Government could open new doors, the need for truth-telling and language in education, the value of clinical supervision, and a vision she had as a student — which later came real.2022-10-1921 minCRANAcast: Recordings for the Road10. Tess: “Putting on my robe” – supporting remote communities facing social determinants of healthIn episode 10 we hear from Tess, last year’s Aurora Award winner, nurse practitioner and chronic disease coordinator in the Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) lands – 100,000 square kilometres tucked in the northwest corner of South Australia. Despite being “ready to retire years ago” Tess says remote nursing can be hard to let go of. Listen in to hear stories from Tess’s current role; how social determinants of health are impacting remote communities; and what “putting on her robe” means and how it has helped her professionally and personally.2022-09-1917 minCRANAcast: Recordings for the Road9. Theona: “A small part of the jigsaw” – insights into the role of NP, and capacity-building with AUSMATFixated from a young age on helping people, in this episode, we meet Theona who kicked off her nursing career in Rockhampton; now a leading Nurse Practitioner at the Cairns Hospital, and a member of Australian Medical Assistance Teams (AUSMAT) Theona is deployed at short notice to provide support to international communities facing humanitarian crises. Theona discusses where her passion for helping came from, what it means to be a Nurse Practitioner, and playing a “small part in the jigsaw” through partnership, capacity building and assistance, in her work at AUSMAT.2022-08-1818 minA Nurse Out WhereEpisode 54: The role of CRANAplus and how you can get involvedThis week we meet Professional Officer, Workforce Development for CRANAplus, Michelle Mason. Michelle share her experience as a rural and remote nurse and midwife and also her role as a professional officer with CRANAplus. Michelle also looks at opportunities for member to become more involved in policy development and how you can use your skills and passion to drive policy change.
If you are interested in becoming a member of CRANAplus or you would like to know more about how you can be involved in advocacy groups, go to: CRANAplus: The Peak Professional Body for Remote Health2022-08-1132 minCRANAcast: Recordings for the Road8. Sheena: "Everything to everybody": generalism, bodging & the humble dermatoscopeA remote area nurse with a love of all things skin, Sheena commenced her journey remote health journey with a rocky start. "I rolled my car avoiding hitting an eagle... [Then] rocked up to the hospital in white brace overalls covered in pindan and straw, and knocked on the door and proudly announced that I was their new nurse!" Inspired by a case of squamous cell carcinoma that fell through the cracks, Sheena completed her Graduate Certificate of Medicine while working full time. She now provides skin checks and has "wrestled people down in trains" to check out questionable...2022-07-1914 min
CRANAcast: Recordings for the Road7. From Kununoppin to Kondinin: WA Bush Nursing through a Student LensStudent nurses from Western Australia and members of WAALHIIBE (Western Australian Allied Health Interested in Bush Experience), Kate, Mekayla and Jasmine, discuss their clinical placements and first impressions of remote nursing. Hear from them on working towns with 10 residents, “picking a hospital I’d never heard of before”, approaching remote nursing as a “city kid”, using the hospital landline to contact family, the underappreciated skill of bed making, community integration (e.g., coaching swimming, harvesting), and how placements can “make you feel confident, not scared”.2022-06-1920 minCRANAcast: Recordings for the Road6. Jennine: “Red dirt and a blue sky” – preparing for primary health careLead Clinical Coordinator at RAHC, Jennine Lavender, has been working rural since the 80s. Initially, she planned on staying in Narrogin for 6 months, but after falling in love with a local farmer, she ended up working in the same hospital for the next 30 years. In 2011, a “midlife crisis” inspired her to take up a job on Christmas Island, kickstarting her journey into truly remote areas. Now for RAHC, she helps people to make the “mind shift” from acute care to the business of “helping people find their way to good health”. She also talks about how seeing people at their most v...2022-05-1918 minCRANAcast: Recordings for the Road5. Dallas: “The holders of knowledge” – overcoming racism in remote healthA cattle station cook in her youth, Yuwaalaraay woman Dallas McKeown followed in her mother's footsteps to become an EN — a move that would eventually lead to her current position as CRANAplus’ Exec. Director of First Peoples Strategies. In this episode, she discusses how her experiences have provided motivation along the way. Observing acute illness at RDH, she decided to venture into the world of primary health care and health promotion — where she campaigned on pneumococcal, influenza and smoking, experienced overt racism, and learned that “sometimes there’s nobody else but you to pick up whatever comes through the door”.2022-04-1121 minCRANAcast: Recordings for the Road4. Chris: What’s a Mog? And other lessons from flooding in the PilbaraIn a small east East Pilbara community, eight metres of flood water laps at the clinic driveway. The phone starts ringing. At a nearby goldmine, across the floodwaters, a 50-year-old man is unresponsive. “You have to do what you can with what you’ve got,” RN and Nurse Practitioner Chris’ recalls in this wide-ranging episode, which also features: sending an injured Joey to the vet via school bus, packing a knife sharpener, swimming with manta rays, how a busy work environment makes cruelty too easy, and the relationship-building benefits of baking.2022-03-1915 minCRANAcast: Recordings for the Road3. Recent Graduates Rachel & Gaby: “I’m finally doing what I love”RNs Rachel and Gaby discuss their clinical placements in Groote Eylandt/Gove & Tennant Creek. Rachel "always had this longing" to be a remote nurse and has since moved her family from Newcastle to Katherine; whereas an accidental opportunity led Gaby to witness the need for support where there's "not enough people doing it". The duo illuminate what it's like to fall in love with "patients, stories, culture, everything" and explore the unusual working conditions of "giving depot injections with a litter of puppies at your feet". Plus, they give their tips on the best mobile networks, packing favourite foods...2022-02-2015 minCRANAcast: Recordings for the Road2. Shelley: No such thing as an average week in Arnhem LandRAN Shelley talks about her six years of remote practice to date, since leaving the urban ICU/emergency rat race. She talks about learning to suture and plaster cast, supporting a man returning from jail to regain his place in community, the value of living with her partner, and becoming a "vault" of local community knowledge. She also touches on seeing people from the clinic outside of work, the workload calling for "2 or 3 of me", and going without TV for several weeks when the TV breaks down.2022-01-1914 minCRANAcast: Recordings for the Road1. Sue: "A totally different pace and existence"A nurse for over 37 years, Sue was among the first group of remote area nurses to receive university-based training. In our first episode of CRANAcast, she reflects on working remote while bringing up her baby; that one time the food truck delivered quail; cutting her own hair; and "becoming so laissez-faire about everything, when you finally come to town, it's a totally different pace and existence." She also shares her thoughts on continuous upskilling, adjusting your expectations, and the impact of tragedy in tight-knit communities.2021-12-2017 min