Our Community Nurses. Our Future.

Jo (RN)

Care Designer
Nurse Next Door Adelaide South West

1. Why did you choose to become a Community Nurse?

Over the span of my career, I have been fortunate enough to work in various areas, including surgical, medical, theatre, practice nursing, and discharge coordination with the rehab team in Darwin.

Community Nursing allows you to utilise all of those skill sets while enabling people to pursue what they desire most— to live a life of purpose and respect within their own homes. I believe that is one of the most rewarding aspects one could be involved in.

2. What was your most memorable moment with a client within the community?

I have this beautiful client living with dementia who is not always verbally responsive. He has a love for music, and his entire family was always involved in playing in a band and making music together.

One day, while my client and I were sitting in a park enjoying the sunshine, I was assisting him with his lunch. I decided to play some music for him and began singing along. To my delight, he recognised the song and joined in singing with me. It was such a special moment, just seeing that recognition on his face and knowing he had experienced some joy in his day.

3. What advice would you give someone who wants to be a Community Nurse?

Community nursing is a unique area of nursing, unlike any other. It draws on a variety of skills learned in nursing, as well as in life. The work can be unpredictable from day to day, requiring logic and quick thinking.

Building such a special rapport with clients and their loved ones, and empowering them to remain in their own homes, is incredibly rewarding.

Being part of the Nurse Next Door Home Care Services team promotes flexibility and autonomy while also offering a path for growth and career progression. I am very grateful to be in the position I am in.

Laura (RN)

Care Designer
Nurse Next Door Albury Wodonga

1. Why did you choose to become a Community Nurse?

I was drawn to community nursing because I wanted to make more of a difference to people in my local area. I believe that community nursing is where you can truly have the most positive impact on clients’ health and life goals.

2. What was your most memorable moment with a client within the community?

Community nursing is new to me. However, some of my most memorable moments with clients in the past have involved witnessing how simple acts can truly make a huge difference in a client’s day.

For instance, making an extra cup of tea during a busy shift or taking the time to get to know clients, learning about their lives, their work experiences, their family members, and hearing stories from their past. I am excited about helping clients stay in the community, ensuring they are happy, safe, and living fulfilled lives.

3. What advice would you give someone who wants to be a Community Nurse?

I see community nursing as the growth area in our future healthcare system. It’s amazing to be able to deliver high-quality, safe care to people in need, in their own homes where they wish to remain. It’s highly rewarding.

Monique (EN)

Enrolled Nurse
Nurse Next Door Melbourne Inner South East

1. Why did you choose to become a Community Nurse?

I became a community nurse because I prefer to provide one-on-one care and enjoy getting to know people. I love being able to focus on one client at a time, rather than having to juggle multiple people as in an acute setting.

2. What was your most memorable moment with a client within the community?

Oh, I have so many memorable moments! One example is when I took one of my young clients to Kmart. She adores Kmart (just like me!) and seeing her smiling and laughing as we looked around brought me so much joy. 

Being able to bring a smile to a client’s face is honestly the best feeling in the world; it’s like winning the lottery!

3. What advice would you give someone who wants to be a Community Nurse?

My advice for anyone aspiring to be a community nurse is that it’s truly one of the most rewarding paths you could choose!

Bringing happiness to clients and earning their trust is an incredibly fulfilling experience. It’s a tremendous privilege to be welcomed into someone’s home and their life.

Sasha (RN)

Care Ambassador
Nurse Next Door Mornington

1. Why did you choose to become a Community Nurse?

I decided to pursue a career as a Community Nurse with the aim of supporting individuals in maintaining their independence in their own homes, irrespective of their age or disability. This goal is achieved through collaboration with a dedicated team at Nurse Next Door Home Care Services, assessing and meeting all the needs of our clients on a regular basis.

2. What was your most memorable moment with a client within the community?

While working as a nurse in the community, I have experienced numerous unforgettable moments and created countless memories. Each day, I continue to create new memories and cherish the experiences that come with my profession.

3. What advice would you give someone who wants to be a Community Nurse?

If you’re considering a career in Community Nursing, I highly recommend it. The satisfaction of knowing that you are making a positive impact on someone else’s life and helping them navigate the challenges of their world is truly rewarding.

Sharon (RN)

Care Designer
Nurse Next Door Brisbane North West

1. Why did you choose to become a Community Nurse?

I enjoy utilising my skills to help clients live their best lives at home by tackling different challenges and providing care with a problem-solving approach. No two days are ever the same.

2. What was your most memorable moment with a client within the community?

It’s difficult to pick a single moment as the most memorable because every week I witness something that improves the lives of my clients. Whether it’s making significant progress in their clinical outcomes, such as wounds, diabetes, mental health, and continence, or simply listening to their stories, all of these experiences stay with me.

3. What advice would you give someone who wants to be a Community Nurse?

If you enjoy challenges and want to make a difference, community nursing is the perfect profession for you. You will utilise all your nursing skills and make a significant impact.

This area of nursing offers diversity, and it’s important to remember that people do not live their lives in a hospital. This is just a snapshot of the real care that happens in their homes, and being invited to participate is a privilege.

Ashleigh (RN)

Care Ambassador
Nurse Next Door Brisbane South West

1. Why did you choose to become a Community Nurse?

I fell into nursing accidentally from a completely different field after having the privilege of looking after my late grandmother for a few years before she passed. She worked in aged care, and her stories from those times inspired me to pursue nursing.

In her final years at home, she had community nurses visit her, and the way they cared for her was admirable. The one-on-one time they spent with her, getting to know her, and the joy they brought to her just by giving her someone new to sing the Beatles to is what led me to pursue community nursing myself.

I cherish the one-on-one time I get to spend with people, and being able to bring that little bit of joy to their day, especially when we might be the only person they see that day.

2. What was your most memorable moment with a client within the community?

I have so many memorable moments from my time with Nurse Next Door, but I think my absolute favourite would have to be with a palliative care client. When I would go in to do her wound care, the caregivers and I would play her favourite music – ABBA and Queen. Her face would light up, and she would sing and dance along. It was so nice to be able to bring her some light in her final days.

3. What advice would you give someone who wants to be a Community Nurse?

Be open to continuous learning, whether it’s acquiring new skills or exploring different approaches. Take the time to have a chat with your clients and remember that some days, you may be the only person they see. Remain compassionate and respectful towards everyone you meet. You will find it immensely rewarding if you give it your all.

Aly (RN)

Registered Nurse
Nurse Next Door Hawkesbury

1. Why did you choose to become a Community Nurse?

I chose to become a community nurse because I have a passion for providing care and support to individuals in need within their own homes and communities. I value the opportunity to build trusted relationships with clients and their families. 

Every day, I strive to promote wellness. Community nursing allows me to care for clients in a holistic and personalised manner.

2. What was your most memorable moment with a client within the community?

So many memorable moments. One that stands out: I looked after a palliative care lady in the community for many months as her health deteriorated. She loved the ocean, and during her final weeks, she expressed her desire to see the ocean one more time. We tried very hard to get her there, but due to mobility issues, it was not possible.

Her condition deteriorated further, and she needed to go to the hospital via ambulance to be admitted to a Palliative care unit. When the ambulance arrived, I expressed the client’s last wish to see the ocean. The paramedics allowed me to accompany the client in the ambulance and detoured to the beach lookout where they opened the back doors and allowed the client her wish.

She expressed her utmost gratitude and told me her life was complete; she passed away peacefully the next day.

3. What advice would you give someone who wants to be a Community Nurse?

It’s wonderful! Becoming a community nurse is a highly rewarding career choice that allows you to make a significant impact on people’s lives by helping them live independently in their own homes.

Each day presents new challenges and opportunities to support clients with diverse needs, making this profession both fulfilling and rewarding.

Working in a supportive environment with colleagues who share your passion for caregiving allows for personal growth and professional development.

Marjorie (RN)

Care Designer
Nurse Next Door Ryde

1. Why did you choose to become a Community Nurse?

When I was planning to return to the workforce after my maternity leave, I sought flexibility while pursuing what I know and love – nursing.

I discovered community nursing, which offers the flexibility to manage your time and schedule. Since joining the team, I appreciate having control over my schedule while balancing children’s school and childcare drop-offs and pickups.

2. What was your most memorable moment with a client within the community?

I am fairly new to the industry. But one of the most memorable experiences I’ve had with a client was when he became receptive and accepting of the help I was providing. Instead of complaining, he gladly complied. 

I was thrilled to have unlocked something that would build a better rapport between us. He needed extensive encouragement and prompting to complete a task, and I am glad I did because during a meeting with his support coordinator, he pointed at me and said, “This nurse knows what she is doing.” In that moment, I realised that I had made an impact on my client’s care.

3. What advice would you give someone who wants to be a Community Nurse?

If you want to join community nursing, go for it. You will have the flexibility and work-life balance you’ve been seeking. You will meet clients from different walks of life and have ample time to interact and connect with them as you’ll be with them for a longer period of time.

Furthermore, joining the industry will allow you to enhance your nursing skills, as clients’ needs range from simple to complex care needs.

Alisha (EN)

Care Ambassador
Nurse Next Door Mackay

1. Why did you choose to become a Community Nurse?

I chose a career in community nursing because I had a background of many years working with people with disabilities and in aged care.

I really appreciate that we can provide specialised services to people who have chosen to remain in their own homes and often stay with their loved ones. It’s very fulfilling to provide a diverse range of care to people within the community, which I feel can be limited within a hospital setting.

2. What was your most memorable moment with a client within the community?

The most memorable moment I have had with a client while working within the community was being there with a client who has and is very passionate about finding a cure for peripheral neuropathy. 

I was there when the client was presented with a large donation to the Peripheral Neuropathy Foundation by Nurse Next Door Home Care Services Mackay, and seeing how happy the client was. 

This experience showed me that Nurse Next Door cares greatly about their clients and their wishes. Nurse Next Door is not just another provider; they deeply care about their clients and helping them to achieve their dreams.

3. What advice would you give someone who wants to be a Community Nurse?

My advice to someone wanting to be a community nurse is… Do it! You’ll be surprised at how rewarding and enjoyable it can be.

You will form some amazing relationships with your peers and clients, and if you want to make a positive change in somebody’s life, then working in the community and with Nurse Next Door is a great place to do it.

Simone (RN)

Registered Nurse
Nurse Next Door Geelong

1. Why did you choose to become a Community Nurse?

I have always enjoyed providing complex care and nursing in acute settings, often caring for many people in a short time frame.

Nursing in the community has given me the opportunity to build meaningful connections with clients and their families. This enables me to deliver committed holistic care, meeting the client’s needs and supporting them in reaching their goals.

2. What was your most memorable moment with a client within the community?

The times when I discover the little gems of clients and see the joy on their faces would be my most memorable moments.

3. What advice would you give someone who wants to be a Community Nurse?

Take the time to look for the gems, what they used to love doing that they might no longer do, and make them happen.

It strengthens the rapport with clients, and it feels good knowing you have made a positive impact on another person’s life.