Christine, a registered nurse, has worked as a locum through the Rural Locum Assistance Program (Rural LAP) for 11 years. She is currently in the fifth week of a six-week placement in Mount Gambier, South Australia.
Having undertaken multiple placements over the years, she has a wealth of experience working in both rural and remote communities.
Discovering the opportunity
Christine’s journey with Rural LAP began when she was seeking locum placements but found that the standard three-month contracts offered by other providers didn’t suit her family commitments. With young children at the time, she was drawn to Rural LAP’s shorter contract lengths, which range from one to four weeks. She appreciated the flexibility this provided, allowing her to balance work with family life.
Challenges in remote work
One of Christine’s biggest challenges in remote work was being away from her family. To cope, she limits her placements to two to four weeks, followed by a break at home.
Working in Indigenous communities presents unique challenges, including adapting to different environments and lifestyles. Christine mentioned encounters with roaming dogs, which can sometimes become aggressive. She recommended carrying a stick when walking for protection.
Additionally, her experiences interacting with community members—elders, children, and mothers—offered meaningful and enriching insights.
Christine stresses the importance of remaining neutral during community conflicts and being available for medical assistance after hours while maintaining a respectful and supportive presence.
Christine found that adaptability was key, as locum work often requires healthcare professionals to quickly adjust to new environments. Although the work can be demanding, she finds it rewarding, especially when she can provide guidance and support to those in need.
Highlights
One of Christine’s most memorable experiences occurred on Erub Island in the Torres Strait, where locals shared a freshly caught seafood banquet as a token of appreciation for her service to the community. She recalled sitting on the beach with the community enjoying a lovely meal.
For seven years, she primarily worked in remote locations, but in the last four years, she has shifted to rural placements. What she enjoys most about working with Rural LAP is the variety of options, from remote or rural settings to hospital or clinic-based work, as well as aged care.
To be able to incorporate travel and adventure in your working life makes it so much more enjoyable!
Christine, Locum for 11 years, Rural Lap
Rural placements and lifestyle
Christine finds rural placements less isolating than remote ones, as they are typically located in larger towns with easier access to shops and services. Currently in Mount Gambier, she has joined a local Pilates studio and enjoys taking walks around the town’s famous Blue Lake. While in aged care placements, Christine appreciates the opportunity to care for people in their home environments, allowing for more personal interaction, although the morning routines can be busy.
Living on the Sunshine Coast, Christine carefully researches each new town before committing to a placement. She considers factors like access to groceries, fitness studios, and sightseeing opportunities to ensure she can maintain a balanced lifestyle while on assignment.
Work-life balance and support
Although she typically enjoys shorter placements, Christine is currently completing her longest placement at six weeks and admits to feeling a bit homesick. She finds motivation by planning days off, staying active, and maintaining routines such as attending regular Pilates classes.
Rural LAP provides strong support to its locum workers. Christine can easily reach out to the team via phone or email for help with placements, and they assign a dedicated consultant to assist her throughout each assignment. She also appreciates the camaraderie with other Rural LAP nurses when they work in the same location, allowing them to support each other.
Advice for others
Christine’s advice to anyone considering locum work with Rural LAP is simple: if you love to travel and enjoy new adventures, it’s a fantastic opportunity. She notes that some may find it challenging to leave the comfort of their routine jobs, but for those who embrace new experiences, it’s highly rewarding. Christine’s husband has joined her on several assignments, though they must cover their travel costs.
If you’re considering locum work, it’s essential to understand the credentialing process. Based on your qualifications, Rural LAP will send you opportunities matching your expertise. However, you’ll need to apply individually for each placement.
Both challenges and rewarding experiences have marked Christine’s journey with Rural LAP. From adjusting to remote work in Indigenous communities to enjoying rural placements, she values the flexibility, support, and adventure that locum work provides.
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