The Impact of our Community Nurses

Peta (EN)

Enrolled Nurse
Nurse Next Door Wagga Wagga

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

After many years working in acute settings with aged care and mental health clients, I realised that what I valued most was the opportunity to build strong rapport and support individuals in regaining their independence. 

I have always been passionate about encouraging clients to take an active role in their own health journey. Since transitioning into community nursing, I’ve appreciated the ability to dedicate time to one client at a time. This focused approach allows for more meaningful care and the development of stronger therapeutic relationships, which I find deeply rewarding.

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

One of my most recent memorable moments was taking a client on a social outing she had been wanting to do for some time but hadn’t had the opportunity due to frequent appointments. We were finally able to visit her “happy place”, the local bird aviary. 

She was incredibly grateful, as she hadn’t had the chance to go for quite a while. It was heartwarming to see her so relaxed and joyful, simply enjoying nature and feeding the birds.

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

Always remain calm and take the time to genuinely listen and acknowledge what the client is saying. Build rapport by learning about the clients interests or hobbies and try to incorporate these into your conversations or activities. 

Making your interactions personal and meaningful helps to build trust and connection, which is essential in community nursing.

Nicole (RN)

Registered Nurse
Nurse Next Door Melbourne Outer East

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

I became a Community Nurse over 25 years ago because after working in hospitals for many years I observed patients having to adapt to the hospital way of doing things, which was often quite challenging for individuals.

In the home we can adapt the care to the client’s way of life, keeping them in control of their own lives and remaining as independent as possible.

It’s a privilege to be welcomed into homes and to see how people live and meet and support their families.

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

I have had so many memorable moments in the community, it’s hard to pick one.

Whether it’s healing a wound, assisting with medication or keeping someone home with their loved ones or just making a cuppa tea. I have so many wonderful memories of putting smiles on faces and knowing the positive impact we can have on someone’s life.

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

If you enjoy a challenge, sometimes having to “think outside the box” you will find community nursing very rewarding. 

If you treat each client, the way you would treat your own family members you will see the positive impact you can have on someone’s life.

Nathan (EN)

Enrolled Nurse
Nurse Next Door Brisbane

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

During my study of the Diploma of Nursing I worked mostly in community aged care cleaning and social outings and having worked in the construction and sales industries, I finally felt a sense of belonging and what it was to be a true part of the community I live in.

The joy my one hour visit brought to the people around me often passed on into my personal life leaving me feeling rewarded beyond having a job to do.

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

One of my first clients became a 7 year long friendship from picking him up from a homeless shelter and getting him to temporary accommodation lead us on a journey that ended in him having full time meaningful employment, stable accommodation, a car and license and even a girlfriend.

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

Truly understand the meaning of community, and togetherness. Being a Community Nurse is being a part of community and peoples lives, it’s a big task and a big responsibility but very fulfilling.

Nicole (RN)

Director of Clinical Services
Nurse Next Door Perth North

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

I became a Community Nurse, because I am passionate about Community Nursing. I started working as a caregiver in the community in Germany, which led me to community nursing and soon realised what a difference I could make for clients and their family living in their home.

I still see it as a privilege to be invited into the client’s own space. Visiting clients in the home enables me to see deficits, missing links, how they are coping, identifying issues which can cause deterioration, but are often easy to rectify.

I think it’s a lot easier to identify and address clients’ needs, preventing deterioration, accidents, hospital admissions and death. I also like the autonomy and responsibility which comes with Community Nursing.

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

Seeing clients eyes light up when you arrive, knowing that you will make their day just that little bit better.

I’ve seen many stoma clients in their home, literally seeing their anxiety drop off after calm education, training and reassurance.

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

Advice I would give is to come along, do some buddy shifts, and not underestimate Community Nursing. Always have an open heart, don’t judge, and learn from your clients. Keep your training and skills up to date.

If you’re a newly graduated nurse, I always would advise you to get the first few years of nursing experience working in a hospital, to be well trained and equipped, to enable yourself to give the best possible support, education, care and advice.

Fiona (RN)

Care Designer
Nurse Next Door Brisbane South West

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

I have been a Registered Nurse for 20 years and been privileged to work in a variety of different clinical settings from hospital, palliative care, corrections, rural and remote and previous to Nurse Next Door a clinical nurse consultant in the Northern Territory through the police watch houses.

When I moved back home to Queensland I was looking for something different and a complete change and the opportunity came up for a position in community nursing as a Care designer with Nurse Next Door, it’s been 4 years now and I have never look back

The diversity and clinical needs and requirements of some of our most vulnerable clients are the things that have really stood out to me, the opportunity to help and make someone’s life better while staying in the comfort of their own home, I think is what community nursing is all about and I get a lot of satisfaction with this.

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

Clinically, it would be that progression of caring for someone in their own home with acute or chronic wounds and being able to heal these wounds, some of these clients have had these wounds for years and the satisfaction and the moment they get that quality of life back once their wounds are healed

Personally, it’s connecting with my clients on a personal level through music and singing with them whether it’s a 80’s rock classic or a duet with the support workers for a palliative client to bring her some comfort.

Taking the client on drives out to the country to the local camel farm to feed the camels, or to the jetty where we just sat on the bench seat at the end in the fresh air and sunshine and just looked out over the water waiting and watching the fish jump.

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

Give it a go … it’s usually an area of nursing that has widely been overlooked by nurses in general (from my experience) but I think times are changing and there is a bigger focus now on trying to keep clients out of hospital and in the home. So being a Nurse in the community your scope of practice is always widening and there is a lot more support from hospitals, GPs and other external stakeholders to keep the clients in their homes

For new Nurses it is a great area to start in as it gives you a lot of acute and chronic clinical hands-on experience and you are able to build on this.

For experienced Nurses it allows you to really utilise a lot of skills that are picked up over the years and use them in the home setting, it allows you to personally have the satisfaction of caring for your clients holistically and really make a difference in someone’s life when they are at their most vulnerable.

Mandy (EN)

Care Ambassador
Nurse Next Door Adelaide South West

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

I chose to become a Community Nurse because it offers the chance to build meaningful relationships with clients & provide holistic care in their own home.

It focuses on health promotion & prevention & the opportunity to make a real impact on people’s lives. The variety of client needs & settings keeps work dynamic & personally rewarding.

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

My most memorable moment with a client in the community was when I gained my clients trust in persuading him to go to hospital for possible sepsis to his toe wound. Through open communication and reassurance I explained the urgency of the situation & the possible risk of having his toe amputated.

By listening to his concerns & providing clear information about what to expect, I was able to persuade him to seek hospital care. Ultimately my client received the right treatment in hospital & prevented his toe being amputated. It was so wonderful to visit him after he returned home from the hospital to follow up with him.

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

I’d recommend Community Nursing because it’s rewarding to care for people in their own homes and really get to know them.

You have more independence, and it feels great to make a real difference in someone’s daily life and health. It’s a privilege to be welcomed into a clients home & be trusted with their care.

Brianna (RN)

Care Designer
Nurse Next Door Mornington

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

I chose to work in the community as a nurse to foster ongoing relationships with clients. Community nursing enables us to develop holistic plans of care that cater to everyone’s diverse needs.

Building relationships with clients and their families enables us to promote continuity of care that is person centred with a focus on ensuring people are able to stay in their homes.

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

I have a vast range of memories from a cohort of clients. A memory I hold close to my heart is actively assisting a client with her wishes and care while she was at the end of her life.

I had spent a period of time developing rapport with this client and advocating for her needs to the multidisciplinary team on her behalf. To have the opportunity to be a part of providing her comfort and reassurance at this time is something I am exceptionally grateful for.

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

The advice I would give to someone wanting to be a Community Nurse is to always place the client’s needs first.

We have a strong capability within the community to not only advocate but promote individuals to advocate for themselves when possible. While working in the community requires flexibility, always remember to be kind and recognise the privilege that is involved with caring for others who need assistance.

Jan (RN)

Care Designer
Nurse Next Door Fraser Coast

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

I chose to become a Community Nurse because in my 47yrs of nursing in the hospital I could see an increase of patients that had limited services at home which could have stopped them from returning to hospital.

So many people like to stay at home in their own environment. I was exposed to community nursing during my placement some time ago.

I like the personal one on one care that you can give to clients. They are not a number. You get to build relationships and trust with them and their families which allows them to enjoy life the best to their ability. This also allows the families to be family and carers.

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

One of my most memorable moments was when the client’s wife broke down and cried because I was able to resolve an ongoing issue and build trust in the client so he was not so angry with his wife. She had not seen him smile for a long time.

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

Being a community nurse is a great satisfaction because you can give back to the people that are not able to continue with their way of life due to debilitating conditions.

It is a good feeling to help people have a good quality of life.

Suzanne (EEN)

Enrolled Nurse
Nurse Next Door Tamworth Armidale

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

Visiting clients in their home is so personal, more so than in a clinical setting where clients can easily become a number and start blending in with the walls. That is always my mission – to make someone feel like a person and that they matter. Helping others has always been something that gave me purpose in life. I enjoy forming relationships with clients and I feel that I’m best able to do this in a community setting.

I love interacting with people from all walks of life and I always try to learn something from each client. This gives me satisfaction as I’m able to grow within myself and become a better nurse and person.

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

I recently gained a new client and I’ve been seeing her weekly for approximately 4 weeks now. After having a fall about 12 months ago she has never stepped foot outside of her unit (literally) or had a proper shower (she has washes) due to fear of falling again. After her fall she dragged herself across the floor to reach her mobile to call for help. She refused to have her injuries tended to and since then she has been in pain and is unable to use her right arm. It absolutely broke my heart when she told me this story. Nobody should be living in this kind of fear for so long.

I made it my mission to “make her life better” and I laid out my plan of action. On my next visit I cleaned her shower top to bottom (it was full of cobwebs!) and I assisted her in having a proper shower. We are also practising mobilising outside (safely of course!) and I even took her to a GP appointment (the first in 3 years) to address her right arm and other medical concerns.

She is so proud of what we have achieved in only a matter of weeks and ever so grateful. It is moments like this that are memorable to me – the absolute joy that clients experience when we can give them a part of their life back that they were missing. I am so honoured that she placed her absolute trust in me to help her regain her independence. I am excited to be part of her journey.

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

I feel there is no better place to provide person-centred care than in someone’s home, surrounded by the things they love.

It is an even more amazing feeling that they trust you to be part of their life and their journey. The need and demand for in-home care is growing.

Become a Community Nurse and see what the pink fuss is about! You will always treasure the rewarding experiences and personal fulfillment.

Donna (EN)

Enrolled Nurse
Nurse Next Door South Brisbane

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

After many years in the hospital permanent pool, I moved to community nursing because I felt the hospital setting was very task-oriented, and I wasn’t able to give my clients my undivided attention.

Community nursing is the perfect fit for me. I can dedicate the allocated time completely to my client, and it allows for genuine connection. We chat, we laugh – it’s truly the best!

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

I honestly have so many memorable moments, but two stand out. One time, I was taking a client to a hospital appointment when his power chair battery died. He wasn’t a small man, and there I was, pushing him everywhere in his power chair. He found it hilarious, which made my heart sing.

Another memorable moment was helping a client achieve her goal of going to hydrotherapy. It was a challenging goal for her, but she was incredibly determined and so grateful for my support in reaching it.

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

Not only do you get the wonderful opportunity to sit down and have a real conversation with your clients but when you work with Nurse Next Door Home Care Services, you also get to wear pink scrubs and drive a cute little pink car with yellow flowers! What’s not to love about that?