Outback nurse credits non-profit counselling service for saving career

An outback nurse who has worked across remote parts of Australia says a peer-to-peer counselling service for nurses and midwives was a "godsend" during the most difficult time of his life.

Remote area nurse Dave Corstorphan previously worked in the Pilbara and Kimberley in Western Australia's north, including in the state's northernmost community Kalumburu.

Mr Corstorphan said he almost left the profession due to work stress and following the death of his wife.

However, he credits the free peer counselling service Midwife Health Program Victoria (NMHPV) for providing crucial support.

"I accessed that service, and it was an absolute godsend," Mr Corstorphan said.

"I would have just walked away completely from it [the job]."

Mr Corstorphan said speaking directly to a counsellor who had been a nurse or midwife themselves was a game changer.

"The fact they've worked the shift work, done time in hospitals, know the conditions you're working under and seen all that, it makes a big, big difference," he said.

"You can say, 'This is what is happening,' and they go, 'Yep, I understand.'"

Up to 60 consults a month

Due to its success in Victoria, the Nurse and Midwife Program was extended across the country in 2024.

The Nurse Midwife Health Program Australia (NMHPA) runs as an independent and not-for-profit service, funded by the Commonwealth government as opposed to being led by state and territory governments.

NMHPA chief executive officer Lori-Anne Sharp and midwife Martine Kilday visited the Kimberley in August.

They said 42 per cent of staff who asked for help worked in regional locations.

Ms Sharp said counsellors received up to 60 calls a month from midwives, nurses and students.

"The community really values the work they do, but they also need to be supported in the challenges of the work," she said.

"The shift work is another layer of that for rural and remote [workers]; it can be the large stints, long days, consecutive days."

An evaluation report into NMHPA's impact found the top five challenges raised by employees were anxiety and depression, stress, psychological distress, occupational violence, bullying or harassment, and burnout.

Ms Kilday said many staff were not aware of the service. 

"Nurses and midwives are very good at looking after others … they tend to put themselves last on the list of self-care,"

she said.

Mr Corstrophan encouraged his regional and remote colleagues — some of whom were the only nurse in a specific location — to seek help.

"I think there is this fear of weakness, appearing weak, that we need to be stoic the whole time, particularly for our patients," he said.

"The work can be quite confronting."

Culture shock

Mr Corstorphan said nursing in remote and regional health facilities was not without its challenges, especially for new nurses.

He said a perceived lack of support, burnout and feelings of isolation were common outside metropolitan areas.

"They are full of energy to start with and they burn out very fast,"

Mr Corstorphan said.

"The people who live out there have always lived with what's out there and are very accepting, but for a lot of nurses from the cities, it's a culture shock."

'Heart of healthcare'

Both Mr Corstorphan and NMHPA said many staff may be cautious about raising their concerns while working within a state government department.

According to WA's Country Health Service, there are more than 4,200 nurses and approximately 240 midwives working across the state's regional health facilities.

WACHS nursing and midwifery executive director Alison Weatherstone said supporting the workforce was important, while acknowledging the "rewarding" and "demanding" work.

"Staff have access to confidential counselling through our Employee Assistance Program, as well as debriefing and peer support following stressful or challenging events," she said.

"We also provide targeted programs for particular teams, including specialist support through our 24/7 Command Centre and reflective supervision for cancer services staff.

"Nurses and midwives are at the heart of healthcare in country WA."