Staying local, saving lives: How the South West is growing its own nurses

Who has time to travel eight hours one way for a mandatory class, stay almost a week, and then return home to juggle work, family, and everyday life? For many aspiring nurses in South West Queensland, that used to be the reality. But now, thanks to a nursing program delivered in Charleville, students can study and training close to home–without leaving their communities behind.

Since 2022, a locally run initiative in Charleville has been making nursing education more accessible than ever. Developed through the local partnership including University of Southern Queensland, Southern Queensland Rural Health, South West Hospital Health Service and the Charleville State High School, the approach brings university-level training right to the heart of the bush.

Students can complete their theory online and then come together in Charleville for practical training in purpose–built simulation rooms. It’s an approach that’s helping students stay close to home while building the skills they need to care for their communities.

Since the program began, more than 40 locals have taken up the opportunity to study nursing through the Charleville node. By the end of 2025, it’s expected that at least 15 new registered nurses will have joined the local workforce–trained in and for the communities they call home.

Students have come from all over the South West: Roma, Thargomindah, Cunnamulla, Quilpie, Mitchell, Morven, Surat, and of course, Charleville itself. And they’re not all fresh out of school. The cohort includes people of all stages of life–from recent graduates to those nearing 60-each bringing their own life experience and passion for rural health.

For some students, the program has made it possible to balance rural life with a career in healthcare.

‘I love working on my parent’s farm–It’s where I grew up and where I feel grounded. But nursing has always been my passion. This program means I don’t have to choose between the two. I can stay connected to the land and still follow my dream of becoming a nurse”.

One former student, now working as a registered nurse in the region, reflected on the impact the program had on her journey.

“Before this opportunity came to Charleville, I didn’t think nursing was something I could realistically pursue,” she said. “Being able to study close to home made all the difference –it meant I could follow my dream without having to uproot my life”.

Her story is one of many that show how locally delivered education can open doors for people who might otherwise be left behind.

Jessica Elliott, a lecturer with the University of Southern Queensland, is the person who brings this education to the bush. She works closely with students in Charleville and surrounding areas, helping them stay connected to their studies and their communities.

“As a university, we know that if we want more nurses in rural areas, we need to help local people become nurses,” she says. “They already know the community, the challenges, and the lifestyle–and they’re more likely to stay long-term”.

Supporting locals to train and work in their own towns is one of the best ways to build a strong and lastly health workforce in the bush. It’s all about keeping locals local!

The ripple effect of this program goes beyond individual careers. Families stay together, communities retain skilled workers, and local health services benefit from nurses who understand the people they care for. It’s a reminder that rural education isn’t just about access–It’s about belonging.

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