Emma’s local role combines career goals and country life

Narrabri District Health Service does a wonderful job of sharing stories with the community about its talented team members. Below is fantastic background story about Emma Campbell, which the service kindly shared with The Courier.

From Narrabri Health Service

Emma is a local girl who hails from Edgeroi.

She grew up on the family farm harvesting grain and riding horses.

In 2015, she graduated from Charles Sturt University with a Bachelor of Nursing.

She then completed her new graduate year at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney.

Emma stayed at RPAH for four years, working with the liver and kidney transplant teams, the cardiology team and in the emergency department.

It was here Emma developed a passion for emergency nursing and completed her Post Graduate Certificate in Emergency Nursing.

Emma struggled with the idea that she wanted a challenging nursing career but also missed home and the country lifestyle.

With the love of a good man and the call of her polocrosse horses, Emma decided she would move home.

At this time, she felt her career would stagnate but had to prioritise her own happiness.

Emma applied for and gained an RN (registered nurse) position at Narrabri Hospital in 2019.

The transition from a fast-paced metropolitan emergency department with with doctors everywhere to a rural facility, provided some challenges and rethinking on Emma’s part.

In early 2021, Emma successfully applied for the Clinical Nurse Specialist position in ED.

It was here that she could combine her skills, knowledge and love for teaching.

Rural health has had ongoing issues with recruitment and retention of GPs, nursing and allied health staff.

Alternatives to traditional practices are required to continue to deliver optimal care to our communities.

So, welcome to our first (hopefully not last) Transitional Nurse Practitioner. The TNP position, with its training, is an advanced practice role within the ED.

Emma is undertaking her Masters in Nursing (Nurse Practitioner) and is required to complete 5000 hours of supervised practice.

We are lucky enough to have Dr Andrew Gottke as Emma’s supervisor.

With new and advanced skills in assessment and treatment, it is hoped that this position will reduce the demand on the GPs in the emergency department.

“I am so very excited at this opportunity,” said Emma.

“Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that these career pathways could exist in the country.

“I have incredible support from my partner, my extended family and friends. My workmates and management at Narrabri have been amazing in their support and encouragement.

“We make an unstoppable team, and I couldn’t do it without them.”