“Keep chasing your dreams, one day you will catch them.”
(Dean Karnazes)
At Nurse Next Door Australia, caregivers and nurses are at the heart of what we do, and we are passionate about showcasing our exceptional care team who are Making Lives Better® in our local communities.
The Bold Dreams and Goals Initiative
Through their unwavering dedication and heartfelt compassion, our care team goes above and beyond each day which is why, each year, Nurse Next Door Australia’s Bold Dreams and Goals initiative, awards six caregivers or nurses with $1,000 empowering them to realise their most bold dreams.
Every employee is invited to share their dream and how they are Making Lives Better® in their local community, and whilst every entry told amazing stories about our Bold Pink Care Team’s passion for caring, Nurse Next Door Australia had the difficult job of narrowing it down to just 6 winners. Today, we are excited to announce our winners and share their stories.
Winners of the 2025 Bold Dreams and Goals
Passionate About Making A Difference
Jessie – Nurse Next Door Melbourne
Jessie has been a valued member of the Nurse Next Door Melbourne team for five years, truly embodying our core value of being Passionate About Making a Difference.
Jessie approaches her work every day with gratitude and a positive mindset, consistently striving to make a meaningful impact on her clients’ lives. One of her most rewarding experiences has been supporting a client for the past five years, helping her gradually find positivity and joy. Jessie finds inspiration in this client’s encouragement, stories, and wisdom about travel and life, which remind her daily to live positively and inspire others. Beyond this, Jessie is always bringing joy and comfort through meaningful conversations, thoughtful surprises, and reliale support, knowing even small gestures can profoundly enhance someone’s life.
Jessie dreams of travelling to Europe. Having lived in Australia, dedicated to studying and working, she has not yet had the opportunity to explore the world beyond. Jessie plans to start her journey in London, then visit Paris, Barcelona, Rome, the Netherlands, Germany, and Greece. This trip is more than a vacation; it is a deeply meaningful reward for years spent prioritising her responsibilities and caring for others.
Her gift will help cover essential travel costs, allowing her to finally experience the cultures she has dreamed about and return with renewed energy and clarity.
“As a caregiver, I firmly believe that in order to provide the best care for others, I must also take care of myself. This trip will help me do just that.” – Jessie.
WOW Customer Experience
Chelsea – Nurse Next Door Canberra
Chelsea has been an integral part of the Nurse Next Door Canberra team since the beginning, over four years ago, truly embodying our core value of providing a WOW Customer Experience.
Chelsea began her journey at Nurse Next Door as a casual nurse before stepping into her role as a Care Ambassador and now Care Designer. Through her position, she makes a meaningful impact every day by providing thoughtful, compassionate support and exceptional care. Chelsea is particularly passionate about wound management and client education, always striving to ensure clients feel empowered, respected, and genuinely cared for. Her positive energy and enthusiasm consistently create memorable experiences for both her clients and colleagues.
Chelsea dreams of marrying her partner, a milestone they have long envisioned but postponed amidst the demands of busy lives. Her partner has provided unwavering support as Chelsea studied to become an Registered Nurse, and raised their two children, all while working full-time at Nurse Next Door Canberra.
Her gift will help them realise this heartfelt dream, allowing Chelsea and her partner to celebrate their love and dedication surrounded by family and friends.
“Our lives are very busy, but finally celebrating our marriage would mean the world to us—a chance to pause, enjoy, and honour our journey together.” – Chelsea.
Find a Better Way
Morgan – Nurse Next Door Melbourne Outer East
Morgan has been a dedicated part of the Nurse Next Door Melbourne Outer East team for nearly three years, consistently demonstrating our core value of Find a Better Way.
Morgan takes pride in making each visit special and impactful, carefully supporting her clients through thoughtful companionship, compassionate care, and creative outings. Whether assisting with daily tasks, accompanying clients to therapy sessions, or simply sharing a relaxed coffee or lunch, Morgan sees the emotional and mental benefits of her presence in their lives. She especially enjoys finding engaging and therapeutic activities such as music, art, and swimming to help clients develop confidence, independence, and joy. Morgan deeply appreciates how these interactions enrich not only the lives of her clients but her own as well, teaching her patience, adaptability, and fresh perspectives.
Morgan dreams of visiting her family in Queensland. After moving to Victoria to build a new life and completing her studies as an Enrolled Nurse, COVID and subsequent commitments have made travel impossible. It’s now been seven years since she’s seen her family and friends.
Her gift will help Morgan reconnect with her loved ones, covering essential travel expenses so she can finally spend precious, long-awaited time with her family.
“Having this chance to visit my family would be incredibly meaningful. It’s been so long, and reconnecting would mean everything to me.” – Morgan.
Passionate About Making a Difference
Caroline – Nurse Next Door Mackay
Caroline has been a cherished part of the Nurse Next Door Mackay team for over a year, wholeheartedly living our core value of being Passionate About Making a Difference.
She loves her role and takes pride in making a positive impact on her clients’ lives each day. Her clients light up when she walks through the door, knowing they’ll be treated with kindness, respect, and compassion. One client who rarely engages with others now happily joins Caroline for shopping trips and accepts help with personal care, something he once refused from anyone else. She also goes above and beyond to celebrate her clients. For one, she baked a favourite carrot cake and surprised them on their birthday. For another, she turned up on her day off with a small gift and handpicked flowers. The gesture was met with joy, and the gift now sits proudly on display, a daily reminder of being seen and cared for.
Caroline dreams of completing the 3 Capes Walk in Tasmania for her 50th birthday. After years of caregiving and raising teens, this challenging four-day hike is a chance for reflection, growth, and reconnection with herself and with nature. A previous hike gave her the rare space to process emotion and return re-energised. This one will mark a milestone, physically and mentally.
Her gift will help cover travel, hiking gear, and entry costs, making this goal achievable and giving her the time to rest, reset, and return with renewed purpose.
“I know I need to be strong, adaptable, and present for others, but that means I need moments like this to refocus and breathe. This hike will help me do that.” – Caroline.
Admire People
Belinda – Nurse Next Door Caboolture
Belinda has been an important part of the Nurse Next Door Caboolture team for over a year, truly living our core value of Admire People through her kindness, encouragement, and thoughtful support of every client she meets.
She is passionate about creating meaningful moments and building strong relationships. Belinda brings joy to her visits whether it’s helping a client organise their space to make room for new hobbies, celebrating birthdays with homemade treats, or offering gentle encouragement to build confidence and independence. Her positive outlook and “can-do” attitude have also made her a trusted support for families, often lending a helping hand with transport or simply being a consistent and reliable presence. Belinda takes pride in knowing that even the smallest gestures, like remembering a favourite cake or sharing a kind word, can brighten someone’s day and make them feel truly cared for.
Belinda dreams of taking her son on his very first overseas holiday to Japan. It’s a destination they’ve both dreamed of exploring together, full of culture, colour, and adventure. For Belinda, this trip is about creating lasting memories and giving her son a joyful, enriching experience they can share.
Her gift will help cover the costs of flights, accommodation, and experiences, turning this special dream into a reality for them both.
“This holiday would mean the world to us. It’s a chance to connect, explore, and just enjoy being together, something we’ll remember forever.” – Belinda.
WOW Customer Experience
Sally – Nurse Next Door Gippsland
Sally has been a committed member of the Nurse Next Door Gippsland team for over six months, beautifully demonstrating our core value of providing a WOW Customer Experience.
As a caregiver, Sally brings joy, comfort, and dignity to her clients every day. She builds genuine connections through thoughtful companionship, sharing engaging activities such as favourite card games, meaningful walks, or organising special themed days. Sally supports her clients with warmth and empathy, thoughtfully encouraging independence and celebrating small but significant victories. She deeply values creating moments of happiness and connection, knowing that her work positively impacts not only clients but also their families, offering them peace of mind.
Sally dreams of writing a book to continue a beloved story series originally created by her late nan, an inspirational storyteller whose legacy Sally wishes to honour. This dream is deeply personal, allowing her to connect family generations, showcase resilience, and share cherished values with her own children. It’s an opportunity for creative and personal growth, and a chance to teach her children that dedication and hard work can produce meaningful and lasting results.
Her gift will support the resources, tools, and dedicated time needed for Sally to bring this heartfelt creative project to life.
“This book is more than a dream, it’s about preserving my nan’s legacy, showing my kids the beauty of keeping memories alive, and proving to myself that chasing dreams can truly make extraordinary things happen.” – Sally.
At Nurse Next Door Australia, we are incredibly proud of our 2025 Bold Dreams & Goals recipients. Each of these caregivers and nurses exemplifies our commitment to Making Lives Better® through their dedication, compassion, and innovative approaches to care. Their stories of empathy, selflessness, and aspiration inspire us all and reinforce the profound impact that heartfelt caregiving can have on individuals and communities.
As we celebrate Jessie, Chelsea, Morgan, Caroline, Belinda and Sally, we are reminded of the importance of supporting our care team in their personal and professional journeys. Their dreams and goals not only reflect their individual passions but also the core values that define Nurse Next Door. By helping them achieve their Bold Dreams, we hope to empower them to continue delivering exceptional care and to inspire others around them.
Congratulations to all our winners. Your stories and achievements are a testament to the incredible difference you make every day. Thank you for embodying the spirit of Nurse Next Door and for your unwavering dedication to Making Lives Better®.
At Nurse Next Door, we are passionate about Making Lives Better®.
If your are looking at Caregiving as a Career click here to learn more and see what opporunitites are available in your local area.
If you require care in your own home, on your own terms, contact us 24/7 on 1300 600 247 to discuss how Nurse Next Door can help you keep doing what you love.