Many see short stints in the north west as a way to fast-track their ambitions – a stepping stone to new career heights. 

Dana-Jade Dunn is three weeks in to her social work placement at Mount Isa headspace and said she is loving it. 

“I didn’t want to be placed in a city or a hospital like a lot of other people do,” Ms Dunn said.

“Rural and remote areas have an entirely different set of issues and a lot of places up north are trying new approaches, so I wanted to come here.”

Ms Dunn is in her third year of a social work degree at the University of New England in Armidale, NSW. 

Like many other young professionals, she jumped on a plane and flew thousands of kilometres away from her family and friends to get a taste of how things are done out bush. 

The problem organisations face is how to keep people like Ms Dunn in the region. 

The Queensland Government offers teachers and health workers a host of financial incentives to lure and retain more workers, like housing and relocation subsidies. 

“There are a lot more opportunities here than I expected,” Ms Dunn said. 

“I have learnt so much and I think I have already gotten more out of my placement than a lot of other people in my class. 

“You get thrown into the deep end a little bit here, but that is good because you learn more,” she said. 

Ms Dunn said more incentives should be offered to snap up university graduates. 

“Subsidised rent would definitely help and letting people know how quickly they can move up to higher positions,” Ms Dunn said. 

“I think a lot of people do not want to move to rural and remote places, but if they understood what opportunities are available out here I think more would come.”

Twenty-four new nursing graduates started in the region last month. 

Mount Isa Hospital hopes to give them “a year packed with experience” in the hope many of them stay on.