October 27, 2025
Rising to the Challenge: RISE Pilot Brings Nursing Students to the Bega Valley
Sixteen nursing students from the 榴莲视频app of 榴莲视频app’s six campuses recently travelled to the Bega Valley to take part in the 榴莲视频app’s inaugural Rural Immersion Student Experience (RISE) program, an initiative designed to showcase the depth, diversity, and reward of nursing careers in rural and regional Australia.
Led by and Emily Detourettes, with twelve academics from the UOW School of Nursing, took part in the multi-day immersion that placed students at the heart of rural health practice, fostering connections with local health providers, community leaders, and residents. The program was developed in response to the ongoing shortage of rural nurses across Australia, aiming to inspire students to consider rural and regional practice as a vital, fulfilling career pathway.
“We wanted students to experience the real strength of rural health; connection, collaboration, and care,” said Emily Detourettes, Campus Academic Advisor at UOW’s Bega Valley Campus and RISE Coordinator. “What they discovered was a community rich in belonging, generosity, and shared purpose, something we are very proud of.”
Across the week, students gained first-hand insight into rural healthcare delivery through visits to Katungal Aboriginal Medical Service, Bega Valley Medical Practice, and Sapphire Coast Community Aged Care. Working alongside rural nurses, they explored topics such as culturally safe care, interprofessional teamwork, and the realities and rewards of providing care in resource-limited settings.
One student reflected, “Back home, we don’t even know our neighbours. Here, everyone knows and supports each other - it’s a real community.”
Speakers at the rural nursing dinner highlighted the professional and personal rewards of working in regional settings. Sophie Stewart, a UOW graduate now practicing locally, described the sense of ‘family’ that defines rural healthcare. Sue Mackinnon, General Practice Nurse at Bega Valley Medical Practice, shared the success of their nurse-led teen clinic and its impact across the Bega region.
“Health care should be about teamwork, with the patient at the centre,” said Sue. “If we, who are in the system, can model this for the nurses of the future, we can leave it in safe hands when we move on.”
During a community visit, Julie Evans, CEO of Sapphire Coast Community Aged Care, spoke about the privilege of caring for older people in a close-knit rural community and the power of intergenerational storytelling to foster respect and connection.
“It’s a privilege to work with older people and their representatives to ensure that ageing is respected and celebrated in our services,” Julie said.
Associate Professor Peta Drury, Director of Clinical Partnerships, expressed her gratitude to the Bega Valley community for their collaboration and mentorship.
“We are incredibly proud as nursing educators to see our students embrace this opportunity and deliver care that embodies the 榴莲视频app’s values, representing UOW with compassion and professionalism beyond the classroom.”
Communities like the Bega Valley are not just backdrops for clinical learning- they are active co-educators, shaping the next generation of nurses through shared experience, mentorship, and genuine care.
The RISE program reflects UOW’s commitment to strengthening the rural nursing workforce through immersive, community-integrated education, helping students see rural nursing not as a placement, but as a powerful and rewarding career destination.