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Carolyn Overy (BN&RurHlthPrac 2003, GradCertNurs(Emerg) 2006) studied to become a nurse at Monash University. But it was while working in remote parts of Australia - including an isolated Aboriginal community - that she really learnt to trust her skills and clinical judgement.
Since graduating in 2003, Carolyn has sought jobs in remote clinics where she is often the only health provider and where she is challenged to treat a range of health issues with limited resources.
On her first weekend in Mount Magnet – a small mining town in WA – Carolyn was called to a road accident an hour out of town. She left with the ambulance officers to treat the victims and coordinate the scene until the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) arrived. While she was away a patient arrived at the empty health clinic with a snake bite. She raced back to treat the second emergency of the day before the patient was also retrieved by the RFDS.
More recently Carolyn has been working in a remote Aboriginal community, Kupungarri on the Gibb River Road in WA. The only health practitioner within a flight’s distance, Carolyn diagnosed patients over the phone with doctors, installed lighting on an airstrip so RFDS could retrieve patients at night, and drove a four-wheel drive through flooded rivers to reach patients during the wet season.
Kupungarri’s population of about 80 locals welcomed Carolyn by including her in community activities, taking her to swimming spots not open to tourists, and “opening their hearts to me”, she says.
“I also became the birthday cake cooker for the entire community as I was the only one with a working oven.”
While working in Kupungarri, Carolyn decided to return to postgraduate study to update her skills in midwifery. She has nursed many women through pregnancy, and she wanted to offer the best possible care as she supported women through pregnancy-related health issues.
“I felt it would provide me with additional skill and knowledge to become a better practitioner in remote areas,” she says.
While Aboriginal health is a major concern in Australia, Carolyn remains positive. Kupungarri is a dry community and she believes that in dry communities people spend their money on nutritious food and are better able to take care of themselves.
Carolyn believes Aboriginal health can be improved by making small changes.
“We need to take lots of little steps. That’s what makes the difference.”
By returning to postgraduate study and improving the care she can provide, Carolyn is taking one of those small steps.
Carolyn Overy graduated from Monash University in 2003 with a double degree in Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Rural Health Practice, and in 2006 with a Post Graduate Certificate in Emergency Nursing.
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Carolyn Overy
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