Life-changing country placement

Andrew Thyne Reid Scholarship

In the third year of her midwifery degree at Flinders University, Carly Hogg completed a life-changing Professional Experience Placement at the Mount Gambier and Districts Health Service.

It’s an experience she says she will cherish, but without the support of an Andrew Thyne Reid Scholarship Carly believes it might not have been possible.

"When I was allocated a rural placement, I was worried about the financial strain it would cause," says Carly. "In Adelaide I have a casual job and I’m renting - leaving my job for four weeks plus paying rent at home and in Mount Gambier was going to be financially very difficult."

The Andrew Thyne Reid Scholarship encourages high-achieving nursing, midwifery and allied health students to complete their placements in rural and remote communities. It alleviates the financial stress associated with these placements, such as the additional cost for rent and travel.

It is anticipated that a student’s positive placement and community experience will encourage them to consider practicing in a rural or remote community once they graduate.

"Thanks to the Andrew Thyne Reid Scholarship I was able to pay for my student housing costs, petrol, a new uniform and four weeks of groceries. I was also able to make the most of my rural placement by exploring the town and surroundings," says Carly.

Carly says the highlight of her placement was the welcoming and supportive environment at the country hospital and the sense of community within the town.

"The warm and friendly atmosphere gave me encouragement and strengthened my role as a future midwife. I felt privileged to work with the local midwives and healthcare workers."

Gaining this positive country experience has been life-changing for Carly and she is now interested in returning to the country during her midwifery career.

"I would love to work in a rural community in the future – something I would not have considered if my rural placement hadn’t gone ahead."

Applications for the Andrew Thyne Reid Scholarship open at the beginning of each semester, check the Scholarships page for more information.

^{Published: 2020. Author: Lynda Allen}