Skilling up: ACU nursing student Tazarni Clarke has started her cadetship at ERH. Photos: Aidan Briggs
It is a dream for Tazarni Clarke to work as a nurse in her own and remote communities and she plans to use her time at Njernda and Echuca Regional Health to build the skills to get there.
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“I thought it would be really good to learn the skills of how to look after people in the Indigenous community and gain the skills of therapeutic communication,” she said.
A second year ACU nursing student, Ms Clarke applied and was accepted to ERH’s first Indigenous cadetship program funded by the Department of Health.
The program was created with the express purpose of increasing the number of Aboriginal nursing and allied health students, offering an opportunity to have paid work experience within a public health service and develop work readiness skills.
Ms Clarke said that part of her desire to work remotely is an understanding of how much work and care is required in these areas.
“I want to work with those communities because the healthcare is so limited there and access to it and getting people to work there is very limited. I want to go out and explore and help out where I can,” she said.
Teaming up: Acting director of health at Njernda Kim Warde, Indigenous second year nursing student Tazarni Clarke, director of nursing Michelle Shingles and director of education training and research Meaghan Douglas are excited for the first Indigenous cadetship at ERH.
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
Acting director of health at Njernda Kim Warde said it was a great experience for students.
“You get a really good insight into the care of diabetic and chronic clients, what’s involved with the care of them and management plans. So, you’ll get a good experience,” she said.
Having more local students working within the community will also be an important asset within the region, according to Ms Warde.
“It really helps when you’re dealing with community. It really does break down a lot of barriers when you are from the community. So, I think it’s a good thing to have these students,” she said.
ERH’s director of education training and research Meaghan Douglas said people should get in touch if they would like to take part in the cadetship.
“If there’s anyone out there that has an interest in this area of nursing or allied health career pathway with the cadetship, then please reach out and get in touch,” she said.
Ms Clarke said she would encourage anyone who can apply to do so with ERH.
“Every person who’s eligible should apply for it because it’s just very good to have connection with your local health organisation, earn a wage and gain experience in the health profession” she said.
