Josephine Andrews had just completed a lengthy and intense project in her role in activity-based management and stakeholder engagement at the NSW Ministry of Health when she learned about the NSW Health Deployment Program. Her interest was sparked when she thought about how the program would allow her to return to the clinical setting, which she had not been in for some time.
"I just wanted to challenge myself, to get back into the clinical environment, so I applied for the program and was approved to work in a multipurpose service in Emmaville, a small town located in the New England region, for 13 weeks," said Josephine.
The NSW Health Deployment Program provides staff with an opportunity to learn new skills that contribute to their professional development – the perfect setup for Josephine, who is also a registered nurse specialising in intensive care.
“It was a life-changing experience doing something new and learning new methods. Knowing that I hadn't been in a clinical setting for a while and it was wonderful to take new courses to get up to speed as well as learn the electronic medications system, and everything else that is done online. It was challenging but quite valuable,” reflects Josephine.
Emmaville is a little town with a population of around 200 people. It is located near Tenterfield and Inverell and is elevated to more than 1000 meters above sea level, resulting in cool temperatures and occasional snow. But despite the cold weather, Josephine found the place warm and inviting.
“It was wonderful to discover a new country on your own doorstep and meet amazing people with so many experiences. I met some gorgeous people, the ones that I worked with, the people I went camping with, and another one I went fishing with. The entire package was just a completely unforgettable experience," said Josephine Andrews.
The NSW Health Deployment Program is not only about gaining new experiences but also about giving back to the community. Healthcare professionals who participate in the program provide much-needed support to rural and remote communities across the state.
"I loved being able to give back to the community and provide healthcare services to people who needed it most," said Josephine Andrews.
Participating in the NSW Health Deployment Program also offers staff a chance to discover the beauty of regional areas. Josephine grew up on a dairy farm for the first five years of her life and had always felt a strong connection to the country. The program gave her the opportunity to reconnect with her roots and explore the charm of the New England region.
“I went on so many wonderful walks, I went to national parks and bustling little towns, I also explored unique stores and art galleries. Even surrounding towns like Tenterfield, you go there and discover wonders, you can go shopping up there and it's a really vibrant town. There are a lot of people around and beautiful, unique little shops all along the way. There are just so many breathtaking towns all over rural New South Wales," reflects Josephine.
One of the standout experiences for Josephine was her time in shared accommodation and the bonds she created with strangers that soon became lifelong friends.
“I was sharing most of my time with a Canadian nurse that I met, and she was doing a six-month stint out there. It was simply wonderful because she loved the things that I loved like hiking, and now she is a great friend, we are still in touch. We had such a great time living together, we cooked for each other and did things together, we even went on camping trips away on our days off. I would have loved my husband and family to come out there so to have a friend to hang out with was great,” said Josephine.
The life-enriching experiences of the NSW Health Deployment Program are what Josephine says will stay with her forever and encourages anyone wanting to add that flair of flavour and excitement to their lives to give the opportunity a red-hot go.
"Life should be about diversity and constant change, I think it's so important, and you get that on the deployment program. You've got pathways there to build your career but also teach you to draw on your own experiences and it strengthened me, and it builds your confidence. It really is a life changing experience.” concluded Josephine with a twinkle in her eye.
