Experience Rural Healthcare First-Hand at Buronga HealthOne

Experience Rural Healthcare First-Hand at Buronga HealthOne

When we stepped into Buronga HealthOne (BHO), we were greeted by kind, smiling faces and an enthusiasm for rural healthcare that was truly infectious. On a chilly Tuesday morning, Broken Hill University Department of Rural Health (BHUDRH) Nursing Academic Danielle Minnis sat down with BHO Health Service Manager, Tanya and Midwife, Jesse to discuss their ongoing commitment to student placements.

A long-standing partnership between the BHUDRH and the Far West LHD has led to the trio meeting often, working collaboratively to coordinate student placements at Buronga HealthOne. The facility is designed to care for the Buronga, Dareton, Gol Gol, Wentworth, Euston and Balranald communities in Southwest NSW. While the space does have clinical meeting rooms with a wide range of services, it doesn’t feel sterile or uninviting.

For Tanya and her team, creating a positive environment for both patients and students is a priority.

“Our aim is to deliver a high-quality, evidence-based service to the community while providing health promotion, health education and disease prevention,” Tanya said.

She adds, “We like to create a space where students have a positive experience that they want to repeat or recommend to others.”

That commitment to supporting students quickly became a central theme of the conversation. As the discussion shifted to placements, Jesse’s enthusiasm was immediately apparent.

“I love students,” she said with a smile. “They bring so much knowledge and lived experience. Everybody has something unique to offer.”

Beyond the fresh perspectives they bring, Jesse believes students play an important role in keeping healthcare teams engaged and reflective.

“Students challenge people, and that’s really valuable, especially when you’re working with clinicians who have been in the profession for a long time.”

Tanya agreed, noting, “they bring extra vitality to the service. Having different people here adds to the vibe.”

The conversation naturally turned to what students can expect when undertaking a placement at Buronga HealthOne. Both clinicians were eager to challenge some common misconceptions about community healthcare.

“Many students think acute nursing is where all the excitement is, but community nursing is incredibly rewarding and interesting.”

“This isn’t the old stereotype of community nursing. It’s completely different. It can be exciting, engaging and meaningful,” Tanya says.

One of the most rewarding aspects of hosting students, according to Tanya and Jesse, is witnessing their growth throughout a placement.

“You see students arrive quiet and unsure of themselves, then leave full of confidence.”

“They really come into themselves during a welcomed and supportive placement.” Jesse adds.

This transformation is something the team has seen time and again. Throughout 2025–26, Buronga HealthOne has welcomed 12 students to both the service and the region, and the team hopes to host many more in the future.

When asked what advice they would give to students considering a rural placement, their answer was simple.

“Do it. You don’t know whether you’ll love it until you try it,” Tanya beams.

Jesse shared the same sentiment adding, “a rural placement helps you understand the realities of rural healthcare, even if you never work rurally again.”

“A placement is only a few weeks of your life. What’s the worst that can happen? You might decide it’s not for you, but you’ll still learn something valuable.”

If you’re a student studying a health discipline and wish to complete a placement at Buronga HealthOne, you can find all the information here.