What could you learn by spending a few days in a different emergency department? That’s the question at the heart of the Rural Emergency Nursing Exchange Program (RENEX), a new initiative developed in Southern, for Southern. The program is giving emergency nurses the opportunity to experience healthcare in a different community, learn from colleagues and bring new knowledge back to their local teams.
The first exchanges are now underway across the District, connecting nurses from hospitals and health services of different sizes and locations. The aim is simple: strengthen skills, build professional networks and support high-quality emergency care across the region.
The inaugural exchange paired Bo Preyada Rattip from Bombala Multi-Purpose Service with Alison Weyman from Moruya District Hospital. Bo recently completed the first stage of her placement in Moruya’s Emergency Department, gaining experience in a larger and busier clinical environment. Later in the year, Alison will travel to Bombala to experience emergency nursing in a smaller rural setting.
Program coordinator Anna Marley said the program recognises that every emergency department has valuable knowledge and experience to share.
“Emergency nursing looks different across Southern, but every service has strengths,” Anna said.
“Whether you’re working in a larger emergency department or a small rural facility, there is always something you can learn from each other. RENEX creates an opportunity for nurses to step into someone else’s ED, see healthcare from a different perspective and bring those learnings back to their own community.”
For Bo, the exchange provided exposure to a wide range of emergency presentations and clinical experiences, including time spent with Moruya’s anaesthetic team. For Alison, the placement in Bombala will offer insight into the broad skillset and adaptability often required in smaller rural services. Anna said the program was designed specifically to support the unique needs of Southern’s rural and regional health services.
“RENEX has been designed for our workforce,” she said.
“Our communities are diverse and our health services are diverse. By creating opportunities for nurses to learn from colleagues across the District, we’re helping to build a stronger, more connected workforce that benefits patients wherever they live.”
More exchanges are already planned, with additional participants expected to take part throughout the year.
“While the program focuses on professional development, the benefits extend beyond the nurses involved. By strengthening skills, encouraging collaboration and sharing knowledge across sites, RENEX helps support safe, high-quality emergency care for communities across Southern.”
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