After more than two decades with Queensland Health, Scott Sharp has reached a milestone he’s been working towards for years – graduating as a registered nurse and beginning his nursing journey at Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service.
“I graduated earlier on this year and we’re just going through the orientation process,” he said.
Scott started his position as an RN at Biggenden Hospital earlier this year, choosing a rural setting that aligns with his long-term career goals.
“Eventually I want to do remote and rural nursing, so this role at Biggenden Hospital will give me the opportunities and the experience I needed to be able to later on do rural and remote nursing,” he said.
“That's where my passion is and I think that’s where my niche in nursing will be.”
While Scott is new to nursing, he is far from new to healthcare. He joined Queensland Health in 2005 as a wardsperson, working across Maryborough and Hervey Bay Hospitals, and has since built a diverse career across clinical support, safety and education.
“I've been with Queensland Health for just over two decades,” he said.
“I’ve worn quite a few different hats in the 20 years that I've been here.”
“I was Workplace Health and Safety Officer and then a manual handling instructor for quite a while. I worked with the team as an instructor in behaviour management – the program we now call Maybo.”
Scott completed his nursing studies through the University of the Sunshine Coast, balancing full-time work, shift work and family responsibilities along the way.
“My degree took a little bit longer because I had to work full-time as well,” he said.
Now working in a rural hospital environment, Scott says Biggenden has confirmed his passion for country healthcare.
“Being placed out at Biggenden has been a great experience,” he said.
“I think our rural hospitals offer more of a close-knit community where they all rally together.
“It’s different to the big metropolitan hospitals, and even the major regional facilities.
“It’s a really good vibe.”
Scott values the variety that comes with working in a multi-purpose rural facility, where nurses gain exposure across aged care, acute care and emergency services.
“To be exposed to all of that in one hospital, that's great, I love it,” he said.
He also credits the rural setting with providing a supportive learning environment as he builds confidence in his new role.
“It’s not as busy as it is in the bigger hospitals, so it's way better to set pace to be able to learn,” he said.
Looking ahead, Scott plans to continue developing his skills to prepare for rural and isolated practice.
“There's quite a few courses that I'm going to look at doing to expand my skills that will allow me to work as a rural and isolated nurse,” he said.
Having lived in Hervey Bay for around 35 years, Scott now sees his future firmly grounded in rural and remote nursing, a space where his experience, passion and commitment to community come together.