Finding Her Place in Rural Nursing: Jess McCurdy

A volunteer shift at the Rural Health Hub at Fieldays changed the direction of Jess McCurdy’s nursing career and set her on the path to rural practice in Paeroa.

While studying at the University of Waikato, Jess gained experience in a range of areas, including orthopaedics, intensive care, older persons’ care, rehabilitation, endoscopy, prison nursing, and community care. With eight years’ experience as a Health Care Assistant behind her, she had seen a broad spectrum of healthcare settings. Yet like many students, she was still unsure where she truly fit.

That clarity came at Fieldays.

Working within the Hauora Taiwhenua Health & Wellbeing Hub, Jess saw healthcare delivered in a way that felt personal, practical and grounded in community. Providers and volunteers worked side by side with a shared purpose: offering screening, education, and support to rural whānau in an environment that was accessible and welcoming.

“While I enjoyed each placement for different reasons, it was Fieldays that truly solidified where my heart is,” she says.

Assisting with flu vaccination documentation and helping deliver bowel health and screening education gave her more than clinical exposure – it gave her perspective. “Being able to provide a practical service while also engaging with people about their health made me feel part of something bigger,” Jess reflects. “It showed me how impactful rural nursing can be.”

The experience stayed with her. So, when she later saw a New Graduate Nurse role advertised in Paeroa through Health New Zealand, she recognised it as a rare opportunity. Although she had already secured a contract elsewhere, she applied immediately.

“Rural graduate roles like this don’t come up often,” she explains. “It felt like the perfect chance to begin my career in the area I had become so passionate about.”

Now starting at Paeroa Medical Centre, Jess is drawn to the wide scope of rural practice, from long-term condition management to urgent presentations and minor procedures. Just as important is the opportunity to build lasting relationships. In a smaller community, continuity of care isn’t just a concept; it’s daily practice.

“Being able to build rapport and long-term relationships with patients is something I value deeply. That continuity of care and sense of belonging is what makes rural nursing so special to me.”

Jess’s journey highlights the importance of early exposure to rural health. Experiences like the Rural Health Hub don’t just support communities in the moment; they help shape the future rural workforce.

If you’re a nursing student unsure of your direction, consider saying yes to opportunities that sit outside the classroom. As Jess puts it, “When my tutor shared information about volunteering at Fieldays, I applied within the hour – and that one experience ended up shaping my career direction.”

Sometimes, it only takes one experience to realise where you truly belong.