Preparation
Preparation
Remote area nursing
Remote Area Nursing
Remote area nursing (RAN) is widely regarded as one of the most challenging yet rewarding careers. You play a critical role in the medical safe keeping of diverse communities in some of Australia's most remote areas. Each RAN contract is different, providing unique skills and cultural connection.
When considering your first RAN contract, take time to think if RAN nursing is for you. If you have that passion to work in our remote communities, then pursue! We encourage you to gain the necessary experience in the larger regional centres and progressively go more remote. If you go remote too early you may be overwhelmed and it'd be a shame to lose that passion.
Follow the guide below and kickstart the adventure of a lifetime!
Required Competencies & Training
🩺 Emergency & Clinical Skills
- Triage Certificate
- Annual Triage Self-Assessment
- Advanced Life Support (ALS)
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
- Paediatric Life Support (PLS)
- Remote Emergency Course (REC) or equivalent
- Maternity Emergency Course (MEC) or equivalent
- ISTAT Course
💊 Medications & Immunisation
- Pharmacotherapeutics (or equivalent)
- Immunisation Provider Course (Required if vaccinating)
- WA Immunisation Annual Update
- COVID Immunisation Competency (Required if vaccinating)
🧠 Mental Health & Cultural Safety
- Mental Health First Aid (or experience)
- Cross-Cultural Experience (Remote Setting preferred)
🚑 Operational & Field Skills
- 4WD Course / Manual Driver’s Licence
- Recent Emergency Department or Remote Clinic On-Call Experience
🛡 Compliance & Legal Requirements
- National Criminal Record Check
- Working With Children Check
- Mandatory Reporting of Child Sexual Abuse Training
- Computer Literacy (Self-Assessment)
Organisations commonly associated with remote health training include CRANAplus and Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine.
