University of New England (UNE) pharmacy student Melissa Neilsen has recently returned from a transformative rural placement in Broome, Western Australia—an experience she describes as "better than I could’ve ever imagined."
Melissa, now in her final year of study, has always been drawn to pharmacy, beginning her journey in community pharmacy in rural Victoria. UNE’s flexible study options allowed her to complete her degree while moving between Sydney and Melbourne, but it was her desire for hands-on experience in remote healthcare that led her to choose Broome for her placement.
“The minute I saw the list of places available, I knew Broome was my first preference,” she said. “A locum pharmacist once told me about her placement in Alice Springs, and it sounded incredible. That conversation inspired me to take on something similar.”
Over four weeks, Melissa worked across Broome, Derby, Fitzroy Crossing, and small remote communities, gaining firsthand experience in both hospital and community pharmacy settings. She was particularly moved by her interactions with Indigenous communities, learning about their unique healthcare needs and cultural approaches to medicine.
“Working so closely with doctors and other health professionals in the hospital was something I hadn’t experienced before,” she explained. “It was amazing to see how healthcare is delivered in these remote locations, and it’s an area I could see myself specialising in.”
Beyond the clinical experience, Melissa embraced the Kimberley lifestyle—watching sunsets over Cable Beach, cycling through town, and attending local cultural events.
“Our pharmacy was right next to the beach, so we’d sit on the grass during lunch breaks, just staring at the stunning ocean,” she said. “We even saw turtles swimming by the pier on our first day!”
Melissa encourages other students to take advantage of UNE’s diverse placement opportunities, particularly in rural and remote areas.
“It’s so hard to find pharmacists to work in these regions, and you gain experiences you’d never get in a metro area,” she said. “These placements open your eyes to the opportunities in rural healthcare.”
Now, with graduation on the horizon, Melissa is considering a career as a locum pharmacist, traveling across Australia to serve communities in need.
“Before starting my degree, I never thought I was smart or disciplined enough for a career in health,” she reflected. “But thanks to the encouragement from my ‘pharmily’ and the incredible experiences I’ve had, I know I’m capable of anything.”
UNE continues to offer unique, life-changing placement opportunities, championing rural healthcare and preparing students for careers that make a real impact. For Melissa, her time in Broome was more than just a placement—it was an adventure that reshaped her future.
