Our Pro­fes­sion­al Ser­vices divi­sion is ded­i­cat­ed to sup­port­ing remote area nurs­es, mid­wives and health pro­fes­sion­als. Pro­fes­sion­al Ser­vices’ unique reach, influ­ence, lead­er­ship and net­works with­in the remote, iso­lat­ed and rur­al con­text posi­tion us as a valu­able col­lab­o­ra­tor for key stake­hold­ers, includ­ing governments.

Awards, Grants and Scholarships

We run an annual awards program, which includes the prestigious Aurora Award, as part of our commitment to celebrating excellence in remote nursing practice. We offer scholarships that provide financial support to undergraduate students during remote placements and annually award the Gayle Woodford Memorial Scholarship. Our grants enable remote practitioners to access educational courses.

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Annual Conference

Since 1983 we have held an annual conference that brings together the dispersed remote and isolated health workforce. The event hosts keynote speakers from across industry and brings together health practitioners, managers, government representatives, policy makers, academics and students. It provides the ideal setting for celebrating excellence and sharing knowledge.

Advocacy

We advocate for meaningful change to health policy and issues affecting isolated, rural and remote nurses and health professionals – all the while engaging with our Members to capture their expertise and experience. We voice the remote perspective through our extensive links with the Australian Government and State Governments, political groups, and other professional and workforce organisations; and through our positions on steering groups, advisory groups, working groups, committees, and governance bodies. We also formulate submissions during enquiries and consultations, and develop position statements.

How We Advocate

How else do we sup­port the workforce?

  1. Our LINKS Mentoring Program is a popular way for students, recently qualified professionals and new workers to enhance learning and development.

  2. We actively support and undertake research, especially when it contributes to the RAN workforce pipeline.

  3. We run a Fellowship Program that recognises members who have made an outstanding contribution to remote and isolated health.

  4. We provide career pathway insights for upcoming remote health professionals by developing resources and highlighting career incentives.

Inter­est­ed in work­ing in remote and iso­lat­ed areas of Aus­tralia, but unsure how to get started? 

Access our reflec­tive mod­ule, Becom­ing a remote area nurse: essen­tial knowl­edge, on pro­fes­sion­al and per­son­al prepa­ra­tion, build­ing a sus­tain­able career, and tran­si­tion­ing to remote health practice.