What’s in a Remote Area Nurse’s Bag? All the Go To’s Our Nurses Swear by Out in Community

When our Nursing Director, Martin, was chatting with one of his Remote Area Nurses recently, she said..

“I never start a contract without duct tape.”

And if you’ve ever worked out bush, you already know why.

For this RAN, duct tape has solved a number of problems. It’s patched cracked water bottles, held a clinic fridge door shut through the wet, reinforced mozzie nets during surprise storms, and even secured bulky dressings when supplies ran low.

That one conversation led us to ask: What else do RANs pack that no one tells you about?

So we asked.
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The Essentials That Never Make the Official Packing List

RANs are masters of resourcefulness. They work in some of the most isolated corners of Australia where improvisation is just part of the job description. So it’s no surprise that their bags are filled with items you won’t find on an onboarding checklist.

• An entire mozzie strategy – Sprays. Creams. Roll-ons. Coils. Every RAN swears by a multi-layered defence system because, as one put it: “Remote mozzies respond differently.”
• A soft blanket – Perfect for cold clinic nights and unexpected overnighters
• A sewing kit, safety pins and pantyhose – One nurse told us: “Pantyhose can double as a fan belt if you’re stuck.”
• A water purifier
• A four-plug power board – One power outlet. Seventeen things that need charging.
• A kitchen knife – For food prep, cutting cord, opening boxes, and so on..
• And of course… Duct tape. Always duct tape.

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The Usual Remote Staples That Keep RANs Going

Amidst the quirky essentials, there are also the practical, standard items that every RAN mentions without hesitation. They might seem mundane, but when you’re hundreds of kilometres from the nearest Kmart, they’re very much needed.

• Head torch
• Instant Coffee
• Portable phone chargers
• Bushman Ultra
• Veggie chopper
• Electrical cords
• Hydration tablets
• Snacks

Nothing fancy, these are just the things that keep you sane, safe and caffeinated while living and working in a landscape where the nearest store is sometimes a two-hour drive and a very bumpy road away.
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What These Lists Reveal About Remote Nursing

It’s easy to think of a Remote Area Nurse as someone rugged, stoic, endlessly self-sufficient. And while that might be true, the contents of their bags tell a richer story.

They show ingenuity.
They show practicality.
They show humour. The kind that comes from real experience and real resilience.

Every odd item, every improvised “must-pack” is a reminder that remote nursing is so much more than clinical skills. It’s thinking on your feet. Doing more with less. Solving problems no one taught you to expect. And doing it all with a sense of humour because, out bush, you need one.

This is the side of remote nursing most people never see. The creativity, the adaptability, the resourcefulness and the grit that defines healthcare in some of the most remote corners of Australia.
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Want to Share What’s in Your Bag?

If you’re a current or former Remote Area Nurse, we’d love to hear the items you pack before heading out bush. Send us your list, your photos or your best duct tape story.

And if you’re a RAN thinking about your next contract, or curious about joining remote healthcare for the first time, DNA Healthcare is here to support you every step of the way. We understand the realities of life out bush, and we’re committed to placing nurses where they feel prepared, valued, and genuinely backed.

Ready to work with a team that gets it? Reach out to DNA Healthcare today and discover opportunities across remote Australia that match your skills and your sense of adventure.