The Kimberley gives Katrina a lifetime of memories and experience

Clinical Midwifery Manager Bunbury Regional Hospital Katrina Jones has worked at WA Country Health Service (WACHS) for more than 30 years and credits her time in the Kimberley as a new graduate for shaping her career. 

“I requested to go to Halls Creek for my final student nursing placement and haven’t looked back,” Katrina said.

After graduating, Katrina moved and worked in Derby for two years, then returned for a further six months after her midwifery training before moving to Bunbury in 1997.

Working in regional Australia gave Katrina an impressive generalist skillset that metropolitan positions struggle to deliver.

“Derby taught me how do deal with almost every medical and surgical clinical condition you can think of. From treating snakebite victims, motor vehicle accidents, tooth pain, fractures, diabetes, ear infections, STIs, the list goes on.

“My friends who opted for positions in a big metro hospital became specialists in a particular field, whereas I was a generalist in all fields of nursing.

“I learnt how to work independently - to assess, diagnose, and create a treatment plan for ED presentations, all as a graduate,” she said.

It wasn’t just about career development either.

“I will always remember the humbling experience of a young mum naming her newborn Katrina in remembrance of the care that I provided her during her labour and birth. The honour of providing support and care during such a beautiful moment was all mine,” Katrina said.

And of course, there was always time for some fun – Katrina said she will never forget when the hospital mud football team (yes, it’s a thing) beat the local teachers’ team.

“Took us weeks to get the mud out of everywhere!”

20 years on, that time in her formative years has stuck with Katrina and she still keeps in contact with other nurses and midwives she met there, having developed life-long connections.

“You may be able to get that pindan dirt out of your uniform, but you never get it out of your blood - you never stop being a part of that community,” Katrina said.

As for advice to others looking to further their career and broaden their horizons, Katrina said the move is more than worth it.

“Go for it. The skills, experiences and friendships that you gain from your time in country will last a lifetime.”

Learn more about Living and Working in Country WA.