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Wilderness Times | Spring 2018
WILDY WOMEN LEADING THE WAY
KIRSTY CHOWN FLIGHT NURSE/MIDWIFE - RFDS Class of 2003 What ignited your passion to pursue a career in the Royal Flying Doctor Service? It was in my first year of Nursing that I discovered my passion for Flight Nursing. I was a committee member on the Rural Club at Uni and part of my job involved liaising with the Rural Doctors Workforce Agency and RFDS to organise student attachment flights. I remember thinking this was a fabulous opportunity and I couldn’t wait until my time came. It completely ignited my passion for critical care / midwifery and Flight Nursing and I knew after that to make the RFDS my career goal. It was also the variety of work that drew me. I think it is really the best job in the world as I get to look after people from rural and remote Australia in their greatest time of need. You never know what your shift will bring. I also get to use all of my skills as a Nurse and Midwife, and I love working in the sky! Describe your life journey and career? I grew up on my families farm at Narridy in the Mid North of South Australia, and at age 13 I commenced boarding at Wilderness with my twin-sister Amanda. It was tough, but also one of
the best things I could have ever done and I am so thankful to my parents for giving me the amazing opportunity. They have always supported me to chase my goals and dreams and I thank them for that. I believe watching them work hard on the farm in good times and bad taught my siblings and I resilience and a strong work ethic which has carried me through to where I am today. I also thank Wilderness for showing me, and every girl, that you can do anything if you want it enough. I had a strong interest in the medical field but also loved the country and the farm and upon leaving school I didn’t quiet know what to do. I studied Health Science initially before transferring to Nursing. I met my amazing Husband Andrew at St Ann’s University College and he has continued to encouraged me to follow my dream of working for the RFDS. I have also been lucky enough to have Amanda’s support both as a twin sister but as a fellow Emergency Nurse. After completing my attachment flight I met with the Nurse Manager at the time of RFDS Central Operations and asked what path I should take in Nursing to achieve my goal. With this advice in mind I chose emergency or rural placements as a preference for the rest of my uni placements, before going on to work at the Royal Adelaide Hospital in a variety of areas but mainly in Intensive Care and then Emergency. My husbands work took me to Launceston, Tasmania where I worked in the regional Emergency Department of the Launceston General Hospital. I also took on any course that would build my experience, and specialised in Emergency Nursing. The variety of work in Launceston was
fabulous and it was here that I helped deliver my first baby which reaffirmed my passion to be a Flight Nurse. To do so, I knew I had to add to my emergency and intensive care experience and study midwifery. In 2012 I moved back from Tasmania to be closer to family and undertake my midwifery study whilst gaining vital experience working in Paediatric Emergency at the Womens and Childrens Hospital. I was lucky enough to finally land my dream job, much earlier than I thought I would, and feel privileged and proud to work at the RFDS with the amazing and dedicated team. To me it isn’t a job because it is such a fun and interesting career, made even more special this year as we celebrate 90 years of saving lives. What advice would you give to Wilderness girls in finding their career path? The world is full of opportunities waiting to be discovered. It doesn’t matter if you don’t quiet know exactly what you want to do as long as you follow your strengths, you will find your passion and excel. Work hard and grab each and every opportunity that comes along.