Edith Castro Rivera, a registered nurse with the Northern Sydney Local Health District, has been a long-time participant in the NSW Health casual pool. But it’s only recently that Edith has taken up the call to be part of the NSW Health Deployment Program as part of the organisation’s Workforce Flood Response to Local Health Districts.
Tamworth, Crookwell, Moree, Merriwa, Deniliquin, and Balranald. Sounds like a caravan trip to pockets of regional New South Wales. That was Edith Castro Rivera’s six-month working schedule over a year. While she worked, she got to explore those regional towns in between her shifts.
“When I heard about the NSW deployment program, I thought to myself, wow this is different from my routine work, this is the best opportunity to escape from the city for a holiday to go adventuring around New South Wales and explore all the bushwalks and country towns while also doing what I love – nursing," explains Edith.
Edith was born in Peru and has lived in Australia for more than two decades. With a double degree under her belt, one in nursing and the other in nutrition, she loves adventure and the idea of continuously finding out new information, especially about regions and towns.
“As a casual nurse, I have been flexible to adapt myself to any new circumstances. Every day is a new experience in my life and at work, and at the end of the day we always have a choice to stay in our home and be comfortable or explore the infinite possibilities of life and be there for others, giving and serving the community,” said Edith.
Part of her love for learning comes from her ability to adapt to change very quickly and quite willingly, all great skills that have contributed to her years of nursing expertise.
“Nursing is my second degree. When I came to Australia in 1996, I had to start again from zero, including learning a new language and being part of a multicultural community. I am here in this life to live life as best I can, doing things I love in the present moment with my family as well as serving the community with all that I have in me as a nurse.”
It is this service to the community that is the driving force for Edith on her deployments.
“Everyone has been saying thank you for your help – but it truly was a blessing for me to be part of the community, and I want to say thank you to the deployment program that allowed me to finally achieve my long-time dream of working in the rural areas. I feel more connected and enriched by the experience. I feel more human, the entire experience was extremely mind-opening and a real adventure at the same time,” reflects Edith.
Edith explains what she really loved the most about the deployment programs was being a part of different communities and building a sense of connectivity within each community.
“Everyone helps everyone. In times of need as well as in everyday activities. Even when they do not know each other. They all just help without question. To be part of that is so special. It’s really not that common in the city anymore. It is like they just exist to help one another,” said Edith.
So, if you are contemplating a taste of rural life or curious about the NSW Health deployments, Edith has some simple advice to offer.
“Just do it! If you really want to be in touch with your inner self, go to a rural area, open your wings and fly high to the adventure. You don't lose anything, instead, you gain a whole new perspective on life. You will be more recharged and grateful for what you have, you will love it,” beams Edith.
