Rural nursing in the Australian context

Nursing in the Australian context offers diverse career opportunities that include practice in metropolitan and rural/ remote settings ('the bush'). This chapter provides a case study that details the decision making process that nurses engage in when choosing to practice in a rural environment in Australia. This chapter features the example of a baccalaureate nursing student in the final year of study wanting to pursue a career in rural nursing. A brief overview of the nation including the population and its geographic distribution, health status of the nation, health care workforce and the methods for classifying the geography and the population base in relationship to the provision of health care is embedded in the case study to familiarise readers with the setting. The nursing workforce in Australia is explained, including issues and opportunities for practice. Next, choosing a career in rural nursing, preparing for practice, and living and working in a rural and /or remote context are discussed. Finally, contemporary models of care commonly adopted in these settings are illustrated.