Left to right: Jacqui Bilo (SVHM Chief Nursing Officer), nursing scholarship recipient Sabita Pahari, Dame Quentin Bryce, nursing scholarship recipient Jocelle Cape, and Nicole Tweedle (SVHM Chief Executive).
When Jocelle migrated from the Philippines, she never imagined her path would lead to palliative care at St Vincent’s. She began in aged care before joining Caritas Christi in 2021 and quickly knew she had found her calling.
“I first had the opportunity to work in the palliative care ward at St Vincent’s as part of the Nurse Workforce Unit. I observed firsthand how patients are treated with dignity, compassion, and a solid commitment to person-centred care. This experience solidified my conviction to join this dedicated team and pursue my journey as a palliative care nurse,” Jocelle explained.
Now studying for a graduate diploma in palliative care nursing, Jocelle hopes to become a nurse practitioner and expand into community-based care. Her studies are giving her the skills to develop new approaches for patients facing serious illness and to advocate for greater awareness of palliative care.
Her story reflects what makes St Vincent’s nurses extraordinary – they are more than caregivers. They are leaders, healers, advocates, researchers and innovators.
And behind every story like Jocelle’s lies a confronting reality: today’s nurses are working in an environment that is more complex and demanding than ever before.
The changing landscape of patient care
Healthcare is evolving rapidly. Nurses are managing increasingly complex patients, adapting to new technologies, supporting care delivered in the home, and facing the pressures of workforce shortages and an ageing population. These demands can only be met by equipping nurses with advanced skills, confidence, and resilience.
As Jacqui Bilo, Chief Nursing Officer at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, explains: “Having access to formal postgraduate education helps improve the skills, confidence and expertise of nurses to work in specialist care services. It not only prepares them clinically, but it also gives them the tools to navigate the emotional aspects of the job.”
The Nursing Excellence campaign
That is why St Vincent’s has launched the Nursing Excellence campaign – with an initial focus on scholarships that open doors to education and growth opportunities. These scholarships give nurses like Jocelle the chance to pursue specialist training, share knowledge with colleagues, and bring back insights that improve care across the hospital.
The impact of your support
Your gift to Nursing Excellence is more than financial support. The campaign presents an opportunity to invest in people – empowering the nurses who will be there for us, our families, and our community when we need them most. That empowerment doesn’t end with one nurse – its impact shapes the culture of St Vincent’s today and builds a legacy of strength, compassion, and excellence for the future.
You can show your support for our Nursing Excellence campaign by getting in contact with St Vincent’s Foundation on foundation@svha.org.au or calling (03) 9231 3365.
