After 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 ..read more

It 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 ..read more

Sheryl 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 ..read more

Meet 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 ..read more

In 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 ..read more

An “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 ..read more

Lorraine 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 ..read more

Over 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 ..read more

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 ..read more

Fixated 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 ..read more