TRAVEL program inspires Sharny to stay country

Registered Nurse Sharny Harberger has turned travelling around Western Australia into a long-term career in regional healthcare, thanks to WA Country Health Service’s TRAVEL program. 

The TRAVEL Program offers nurses a unique experience in both career development and a working adventure with three rotations over 12 months, in a variety of rural and remote settings. 

Originally from Victoria, Sharny has spent more than two years as a travel nurse with WA Country Health Service. 

Before the TRAVEL program, Sharny was working in the Northern Territory and Darwin - which strengthened her passion for country healthcare and sparked her interest to move to WA. 

Sharny wanted to see more of country WA and the program gave her that option while still being able to work. 

“WA offered excellent opportunities to continue working in regional hospitals, and I wanted to continue building my experience while exploring new healthcare services and locations,” she said.

Her journey began in Broome and since then she has done rotations in almost all corners of country WA, from Geraldton, Albany, and Busselton, all the way to Kununurra - where she recently finished her final rotation. 

She loved that her job gave her the opportunity to improve her skills and gave her the confidence to adapt to new situations and see places she wouldn’t have seen otherwise.

“It is such a great opportunity to build confidence, broaden your clinical skills and experience and see parts of Western Australia you might never have visited otherwise.

“I kept coming back because I loved the variety and the opportunities each placement offered, every location has been different, and I’ve met some amazing people and teams along the way.”

During her time at WA Country Health Service, she’s been inspired to pursue a pathway in Aboriginal health. Having developed a strong connection to the Kimberley and its communities. 

“I’ve loved the community so much that I’ve decided to stay, and I’ve now started working in an Aboriginal health clinic in Kununurra. I’m excited to continue learning and growing in this role,” she added. 

Reflecting on her journey so far, for Sharny, what started as an opportunity to travel country WA has led her to find a path that she is incredibly passionate about. 

“What began as an opportunity to experience rural and remote health has led me to find a community I love and a career in Aboriginal health that I’m genuinely passionate about.” 

If you’d like to find out more or apply to for the TRAVEL program, contact: WACHSNurseManagerWorkforceInitiatives@health.wa.gov.au