For Abi Donaldson, becoming a flight nurse with the Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section) (RFDS) was not just a career move; it was an opportunity to support those closest to her heart.
Based in Rockhampton, she’s one of the newest flight nurses to join the team, bringing not just skill and passion, but a deep personal connection to regional, rural and remote Queensland.
“I grew up just west of Emerald on a cattle property my parents still run,” Abi said.
“I have a lot of family out west who have utilised the service a couple of times, from farming incidents to chronic health conditions; the health services we have in the city are just not available out that way,” she said.
After initially studying to be a paramedic, Abi discovered her passion for nursing, eventually completing a postgraduate degree in midwifery and now pursuing a postgraduate degree in critical care.
“In my last year of university, I found myself intrigued by the idea of doing retrievals & that became my personal goal to work towards,” she said.
“Being able to be a part of an organisation that’s able to provide essential care for people really interests me and is what makes this job so rewarding.”
When asked what experiences have stood out to her so far while working for the RFDS, it wasn’t the adrenaline of being in the air, but rather the team beside her along the way.
“The support I have received from everyone, from management to pilots to ground crew, has been incredible,” she said.
“As a new person in an organisation, that has made such a difference.”
On many flights, it’s only a pilot and a flight nurse on board. Abi describes the pilots as her “right hand” on each tasking, helping her out where they can and working together as a team to provide the finest care to their patients.
“It’s really solidified why I wanted to come to this organisation. Everyone genuinely wants to help you succeed.”
Looking forward to the future at the RFDS, Abi is keen to one day be tasked with a primary retrieval or land on a dirt airstrip. Her enthusiasm for flying comes as no surprise, as aviation is in her blood.
“I really love the aviation side of the job. My grandad and uncle were pilots, and a distant relative was one of the first RFDS pilots in Cloncurry,” she said.
“My grandma always tells me how lovely it is that I’m also working for the Flying Doctor.
“I really like anything rural and remote, and helping those people who are further from tertiary hospitals is always rewarding.”
Abi’s key message for aspiring flight nurses is not to be disheartened when things don’t go to plan, particularly early in your career.
“Sometimes unexpected pathways come up and they end up being the best experiences,” she said.
Never give up on your dreams, the road might be a little bumpy, but if you stick to it, you’ll make it in the end. Want to know more about what it takes to be an RFDS Flight Nurse? Find out more information here.
