Eleanor Harrex

In February 2009, Canberra based Nurse Eleanor Harrex, opened a health journal to find an advertisement for nurses to work in the Northern Territory with RAHC, and so began her RAHC experience.

 

Eleanor was becoming slightly disillusioned with her current work as a Maternal and Child Health nurse and felt the nursing skills she had acquired over the past thirty-eight years would be of value to working with remote Indigenous Australians. Since 2009, Eleanor has competed nine RAHC placements all across the Northern Territory.

 

During her first placement in Ampilatwatja, Eleanor’s daily tasks included providing primary health care through antenatal and postnatal care for mothers and children as well as education about hygiene, school screening, nutrition and diabetes. Eleanor says, “The Aboriginal Health Workers at the clinic were very supportive, and along with the CARPA manuals… some of my ‘rusty’ clinical skills became easier, and I gained new skills”.

 

After Eleanor’s first four placements she decided to resign from her full time position in Canberra and join RAHC. “I have no regrets”, says Eleanor. “I still find it quite emotional when I leave a community, as whilst working there you develop such a bond not only with the Indigenous people but also the other nursing staff”.

 

When asked how she has enjoyed her RAHC placements, Eleanor responded, “Professionally and personally I have grown, I have become a teacher and mentor. Working with RAHC has changed me; it has given me an experience that I could never have imagined”.

 

Eleanor is ready to head outback again very soon and encourages other city health professionals to consider taking part in the RAHC program. “Whenever I speak to my old work colleagues or other health professionals, I urge them to become involved and step out of their comfort zone,” Eleanor says.