THE Ballarat Rural Clinical School at St John of God Hospital has opened its doors for the first time.Ten fourth-year medical students from Sydney's Notre Dame University will spend their clinical year in Ballarat, with 32 other students undertaking four week rural rotations.The school, headed by associate professor Andrew Dean, has been set up in the historic Bailey's Mansion.St John of God Hospital chief executive officer John Fogarty said it was a great opportunity to collaborate with Notre Dame University."For us, a key priority is to develop the next generation of doctors for the community," Mr Fogarty said.Associate Professor Dean said it was a very exciting opportunity for the hospital."The establishment of our rural clinical schools program focuses on encouraging medical students to take up rural practice upon graduation, through providing positive clinical education and training experiences in rural areas," Associate Professor Dean said.Acting head of Rural Clinical Schools Dr Sue Morey said medical students now had to spend at least 25 per cent of their clinical year in a rural clinical school in a bid to boost regional medical workforce numbers."Now, in New South Wales, there are more people wanting internships in rural hospitals than there are places," Dr Morey said. Medical student Shilpi Yadav said she had moved to Ballarat from Sydney to experience rural life."In the future I want to do education work in rural areas and third world countries," Ms Yadav said.Fellow student Kirsten Hepburn, also from Sydney, said she found the idea of a smaller community appealing."I've always wanted to go to a regional community," she said."I heard about St John's and that it offered a good educational experience."