Tertiary students encourage rural health as career option

In a bid to tackle the severe lack of health professionals in rural communities, a team of tertiary students headed to rural areas of Tasman and Nelson to promote rural health careers to high school students last month.

The team visited Tapawera, Collingwood and Murchison Area Schools, Motueka High School, Waimea College and Nelson College for Girls to try and inspire more young rural people to pursue careers as general practitioners, nurses, or other health practitioners as part of Hauora Taiwhenua’s nationwide Rural Health Careers Programme.

Hauora Taiwhenua chief executive, Dr Grant Davidson, highlights how new research shows there are large gaps in rural healthcare provision.

“Rural communities are experiencing unprecedented challenges due to climate change, economic uncertainty, and a healthcare workforce that is stretched to its limits,” he says.

“Improving outcomes requires a strong, resilient rural health workforce. We must equip and encourage our rural rangatahi to serve in our rural regions, and this programme is a pivotal step towards engaging rural youth in healthcare careers.”

Grant explains that using the energy and enthusiasm of tertiary students on health training pathways is a great way to expose rural youth to possible health careers.

“Providing the opportunity for youth in rural areas to discuss career options with tertiary students near their own age is a great way to motivate and educate them. It is also a practical way for tertiary health students to give back, with many from rural backgrounds sharing their real-life experiences.”

Karis Gordon, spoke on how she was able to connect with kids in rural areas and show them a career they might not have considered otherwise.

“I am a student dietitian, and almost none of the kids ever considered it as a career, and neither did I when I was their age,” she says.

“It was also so valuable to let these kids know that their first idea may not work out, but there are so many avenues in healthcare and that they were all capable. It was so special, and something I wish I had been able to see when I was in school.”

The interactive workshops were well attended, giving hands-on experience with medical and dental equipment and a chance to talk first-hand with young people who have already embarked on this journey.