5min read
RN Jac
17 years nursing experience
Wheels rolling around in the red dirt, RN Jac has driven and nursed through health clinics and hospitals in the most outback of outback Australia. After meeting and being inspired by two Affinity nurses and their stories during her journey, she decided to join.
1. Tell us a bit about your nursing background and experience.
Hi, I’m Jac, I trained in Sydney, luckily, I am married to an understanding and patient RN. In 2007 we had a crazy idea to quit our comfortable jobs and carousel lifestyle, buy a caravan, travel and work, while exploring Australia.
We were totally unprepared and very naive. Thankfully we both have an amazing sense of adventure, a passion for life, and a sense of humour. Seventeen years, three caravans, and a now retired husband we are both still loving every breath.
My background is critical care, I specialised in theatre/PACU and ED. The more we travelled, the more remote we went. I pursued my master’s degree while on the road, and my RAN qualifications. I am blessed to be able to work as a RAN very remote, and when we need a change of pace I work in a remote/rural ED or MPS. I have also worked HDU, ICU and locum positions as CNM and HSM in various states.
Interestingly I only decided to work for an agency last year. Previously, I have been working on a locum basis for all the states. When the borders opened to WA, there was a sudden influx of travelling/working RNs. I worked with two amazing Affinity ED RNs in the Pilbara, and they impressed me so much with their care and knowledge. I listened to their stories of how their travels were planned, how easy it all was and what amazing support they received. They were both on a year’s travel around Australia with their young families, so they did what we did, but they were more organised.
2. You’ve recently completed a contract in Wallaroo, South Australia. What have been some things you have gotten up to?
I was initially apprehensive landing the contract at Wallaroo, as I have not worked in a larger ED for twelve years; I was stepping outside my comfort zone. I can honestly say though, working in Wallaroo was one of the most relaxing and enjoyable contracts I have ever undertaken; a warm and welcoming workplace with amazing nurses and management. My six weeks there extended to fifteen by mutual agreement.
The perks of having my own self-sufficient caravan mean I hang out in the huge bushland areas of the hospitals, no neighbours, and my dog Ollie strolls around and walks me to and from work.
Wallaroo is on the Yorke Peninsula, with stunning beaches, great food, lovely people and a huge change from what I’m used to. The whole Peninsula is drivable and comprises of cute towns, stunning bush and beach walks. A bonus was downtime exploring Adelaide and Kangaroo Island.
3. You’ve helped out a great deal in many facilities across South Australia and the Northern Territory. What have been some key presentations you have experienced?
Key presentations to EDs and clinics across Australia are heavily influenced by the remoteness and the regional diversity, but to me it’s all pretty much the same. However, from amputated limbs, gun, knife, and blunt instrument injuries, tragic and often fatal car, plane, truck and train accidents, land and sea creatures versus human being, the WA and NT weekend rodeos where I am the nurse on duty with the ambulance is a standout.
Sadly, drownings especially involving children are emotionally challenging post-event, and folks in a hurry to attend the ED driving their ute straight through the doors and into the department are probably one of the unique moments. A few of the stranger presentations in ED were the folks who presented stating their Apple Watch told them to come to ED, and a lady at 3am with a broken acrylic nail.
4. Tell us about your travel nursing journey since you started your first contract.
I wanted to work and explore SA; Affinity has helped me to realise this dream. The team at Affinity are so easy to talk with, and they are super organised, I have never been so well looked after. Working for Affinity is a pleasure, my working life, accommodation and education are all organised and all I have to do is be present; what could be better than that?
Katherine is my consultant, and she is the most patient, helpful person and very easy to talk with. I have spent the last year floating between Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY lands) and SA health regional hospitals. I have been in SA working for a year now however, I still haven’t worked all of it.
I am finishing off this year in the APY lands again, which is truly a magical place and very peaceful. It is somewhere I will always return to for its peace and simple life.
5. What do you enjoy most about the travel nursing lifestyle?
I enjoy my whole life as a travelling nurse. It is my life; I make the most of every single opportunity. We go to some odd little towns and meet some amazing people. I always say it’s not the buildings or the area that make a town – it’s the people. You should stay and play to really get to know the authentic Australia.
My Landcruiser has done 540,000kms since we set out, so that gives you all some indication of how much we love what we do. My lifestyle is simple, quiet, no hectic pace, we don’t own a TV, we adore the outdoors, we walk, talk and trek, swim and surf, or just sit and soak up the beauty of this country. My favourite places are anywhere out bush. The more remote the better.
My education in nursing and life is not something I ever would have learned if I had stayed in a metro hospital. I’ve been exposed to the rawness of life, awesome weather events, terrible sadness and immense joy, and extreme conditions that show the true humanity and humility of people.
COVID in the Kimberley was an unprecedented experience, but I was totally blessed to ride out in such a world changing time in a remote stunning area of WA. I’ve learned to make do with what we have and most times out there, all we have is each other.
6. Do you have a favourite photo? What’s the story behind it?
It’s hard to pick a favourite photo from seventeen years of travelling, because every photo reminds me of how lucky I am. But I adore WA & NT Top End sunsets – this is one of my favourite camping spots on the banks of somewhere random between Lake Kununurra and the Murchison River. No-one around for miles, except the wildlife and the crocs.
7. What advice would you give other nurses who want to do travel nursing?
My advice to other nurses wishing to travel and work? Just go do it, the time will never be right or perfect but, if you really want to do it, you will.
To work and travel as a lifestyle you should try and embrace life, it’s not easy, especially with food, water and petrol, you must plan. There isn’t a Woolworths on every corner, food in community can be very expensive, so I take bulk items with me. The advantage of our caravan, everything we need is always with us – no packing and unpacking.
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