Bachelor of Paramedicine rural placement

I completed two weeks of paramedicine placement at the Kangaroo Flat/Junortoun Ambulance Victoria branch, based in Bendigo. There was a high workload and not a lot of down time, but I found this meant I got the most out of my placement. All the cases we attended were very acute, including cardiac, respiratory and trauma injuries. During placement, I helped to take basic vital signs, interviewed patients, and aided in history taking. I was also able to do more invasive procedures such as intramuscular injections and intravenous cannulation.

I saw some things that weren’t typical for a metropolitan placement, such as injuries sustained while farming and lots of wildlife. I attended 2 car accidents, which I had never previously seen in my 3 years of university. The most interesting job we attended involved a camel kicking injury and getting bogged in the mud on the farm! The community of paramedics in Bendigo is strong, and it is overall a great environment and everyone is really nice. At the hospital, I had paramedics introducing me to their patients and teaching me about the jobs they attended.

I applied to stay at the Monash Rural Health student accommodation in Bendigo, which was a huge help financially – it was also a short drive from the branch. There’s a whole variety of students from different disciplines there I got to meet, including medicine, nursing, physiotherapy, radiography, and more. It was great getting to know everyone and I was easily welcomed.. There was also a Christmas in July party where everyone made delicious food.

For other students, I would definitely recommend going on rural placement. I have fallen in love with Bendigo, and I would love to take a job there after I graduate. Rural work is such a different experience compared to being in a city. Valuable lessons are learned when out rural and they will stay with you for the rest of your career.

Support for Nursing and Allied Health rural placements

Bachelor of Paramedicine