Expat tales: Stressed-out Kiwi nurse ‘excited to go to work’ after move to Australia

Sunday, 21 July 2024

Caitlin Iles moved to Australia after worrying she would burn out as a nurse in NZ.

Originally from the small Canterbury town of Tai Tapu, Caitlin Iles was so stressed out as a nurse in New Zealand that she decided to cross the ditch. Now she loves her job and wouldn’t change it for the world.

Expat Tales is a Stuff Travel series featuring Kiwis who’ve made new lives for themselves overseas. If you’d like to take part, email us at travel@stuff.co.nz

What inspired your move, and how long have you been there?

I was working as an emergency department (ED) nurse in New Zealand and, despite having an amazing team and managers, the workplace did not feel safe.

Chronic understaffing, nurses burning out left, right and centre, and no acknowledgement from people in power that there was a problem contributed heavily to my decision to leave. I got to a stage where I felt I was going to burn out if I didn't change something. So I signed up with a nursing agency in Australia and I've never looked back.

I'm having the best time of my life and I get to nurse the way I want to. I have time for my patients and I don't feel stressed at all. I am excited to go to work now! We get to have fun and have a laugh, which I did not get in NZ.

Can you tell us a bit about where you live?

A shot taken on a bike ride in Jamestown, South Australia.

I have lived six months in Queensland, six months in South Australia, two months in New South Wales, and am now heading to Tasmania.

Accommodation is provided by the facilities and ranges from houses on the hospital site to motels in town. I also get free flights to and from NZ between my contracts if I want to return for a break as long as the contract is at least six weeks.

Did it take long to settle in?

Absolutely not. From day one of my first contract in Longreach, Queensland, I felt like I was part of the team. I was met with an incredible kindness from small-town Australian folk. Within a day of arriving, a fellow Kiwi had lent me a mountain bike to get around on as it was over 30 degrees most days and walking with groceries was not fun.

I now have friends in cities all over the country! I have made friends for life from doing contract nursing and I'm never short of places to stay if I want to travel.

On holiday in Sydney before starting a contract in Hobart.

What do you do there?

I’m an emergency department/remote area nurse. I have worked in a variety of facilities ranging from small remote facilities where they can struggle to get doctors to massive tertiary centres.

The skills I have gained have been incredible and the training provided by my agency and the facilities far exceeds what I got in six years of nursing in NZ.

What are the biggest advantages of living there?

The money! I'm earning double what I got paid in NZ, and I am never out of work. I find myself turning down contracts as there is so much availability for ED nurses, but there can be a bit of competition for more specific areas of nursing such as paediatrics and mental health.

Whian Whian Falls in Dunoon, New South Wales.

I don't pay for accommodation or travel to contracts. The heat is another bonus! Months on end of sun and warm weather. Being able to get fresh berries and vegetables year-round for very reasonable prices is another bonus.

Any disadvantages?

Being scared of swimming in water. I grew up living in the rivers and the sea in NZ and it's something you have to be cautious of here with the jellyfish, sharks, crocodiles and snakes.

I have only seen one small snake in the 15 months of living here, which is pretty surprising as I have spent most of my time in very rural places. I did take a boat up a northern Queensland river though and saw 25 crocodiles in the space of a few hours.

Caitlin’s sunrise walk to work while working at Snowtown Hospital in South Australia.

How expensive is it compared to New Zealand?

It’s on a par food wise, but the pay and lack of expenses for me makes a huge difference. Not having a car here is also a bonus as I have heard registrations for them are expensive. Although petrol is cheaper here. I have been lucky to not have to pay for any accommodation as I have heard that can be a bit more expensive than in NZ.

How do you spend your spare time?

Exploring the local spots, going to festivals, and swimming at the beaches and rivers. My favourite thing is swimming at Byron Beach.The water is so clear and you can see all the fish swimming around. Visiting Bondi Beach was another highlight as my mum and I love watching Bondi Rescue.

Best after-dark activity?

For me it's going to the pub to play pool. Pub culture is very big here, especially in small towns as there isn't much else to do. I have got rather good at pool and enjoy entering competitions when I can as the people who go are so lovely and welcoming.

What are the top three things you recommend visitors check out?

The lights show at the Qantas museum in Longreach is definitely a highlight for me. They project the story of Qantas onto the retired 747 plane and it's such a great experience.
Any small-town pub as they are so rich in history and full of welcoming locals, and there are plenty of people to play pool with or just get info on local hotspots from.
Queensland stations horse races: You can drive for hours to the middle of nowhere and end up at a racetrack on a station and there's people everywhere dressed like they're going to the Melbourne Cup. It's quite a sight amongst the red dirt!