Chelsea Newsome

The Carmel Baulderstone Memorial Scholarship provides an enriching rural nursing opportunity

Bachelor of Nursing student, Chelsea Newsome received a once in a lifetime rural placement opportunity in Mt Gambier thanks to the Carmel Baulderstone Memorial Scholarship.

Since 2014 the Carmel Baulderstone Memorial Scholarship has assisted 18 second and third-year Flinders University Bachelor of Nursing students to complete a Professional Experience Placement in a rural or remote setting. The opportunity enriches and diversifies the nursing students’ knowledge and equips them with vital nursing skills while experiencing some of Australia’s most isolated communities.

Last year, with the support of the scholarship, Chelsea had the opportunity to do her second-year professional practice at the Mount Gambier Community Health Centre.

She says, ‘Through this placement I have developed my nursing skills and now have an overview into the techniques surrounding wound care in the community and in clinic, as well as dealing with patients with extremely diverse diagnoses.’

Chelsea also experienced how a community nursing unit works both from a rostering and round organisation perspective as well as patient communication and sharing knowledge throughout the hospital site.

‘I was lucky enough to spend time with the Podiatrist in community health and fortunate to be able to go out on home visits with a continence nurse and see nursing from a different perspective.’

While Chelsea struggled to be away from her family and friends for the four-week placement, she says the rural experience was invaluable and she is grateful for the support of the Carmel Baulderstone Memorial Scholarship which covered the costs of transport and accommodation during her placement.

‘This placement showcased what rural health is and has also given me an opportunity to grow as a person,’ says Chelsea.

In 1944 after four years of training at Calvary Hospital, Carmel Summerfield (later Baulderstone) was registered as a nurse in South Australia. She retained a lifelong connection with nursing and took a keen interest in medical research and changes to nursing practice. The Carmel Baulderstone Memorial Scholarship was established from a bequest made from the estate of Bert and Carmel Baulderstone, and contributed to by their family, friends and colleagues.

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