Making it Work : Recruit and Retain Resource Pack

How to Implement

Success Factors

Educating the school Career Advisors is a crucial part of the process (Penman et. al 2007). Satisfaction with the program, increased awareness of pathways into university, and changes in attitude about university as a career option. Timing is critical. Interest must be raised before high school students have to choose their advanced subjects, and this interest must be maintained long enough for the students to persist with the right choices.

Challenges

Difficulties in recruitment and retention of health professionals have been attributed to professional isolation, lack of support and resources, and limited professional development opportunities. While students educated in rural areas are more likely, compared with those educated at metropolitan universities, to seek employment within rural and regional areas after graduation, secondary students in such areas might not see a university education as a viable pathway to a career as a health professional. Secondary school students in rural and remote areas are generally poorly informed about career opportunities in health. Targeting students before they make career choices, the number of rural students who consider a health profession or a university education might be increased.