Nicole Hamilton
December 2025
Nicole
Hamilton
,
Nurse
Neurosurgical Unit
Tasmanian Health Service
Hobart
,
Tasmania
Australia
Instead of dismissing my concerns, she protected my father’s safety and dignity without hesitation.
My father experienced a subarachnoid haemorrhage and had to be airlifted from Launceston to Hobart. His care, compassion and support we received from Nikki, went far beyond what my family ever expected.
Throughout my father’s long and complex recovery, Nikki celebrated every milestone with us. From fighting off a tracheostomy infection, becoming more alert, using a speech valve, getting his tracheostomy removed, eating and drinking unassisted, and finally being able to walk 6 weeks after the injury, she advocated fiercely for his needs and treated him with unwavering dignity at every stage.
One moment stands out - my father had to frequently cough up secretions to avoid pneumonia. Another patient in the room swore under their breath each time my father coughed. Because my father could not speak or advocate for himself, hearing this was deeply distressing. When I told Nikki, she responded immediately, took the complaint seriously, ensured the other patient was reminded of the hospital’s zero-tolerance policy, and educated the patient on why my father needed to cough as part of his recovery. Instead of dismissing my concerns, she protected my father’s safety and dignity without hesitation.
This act of advocacy, empathy and compassion meant more to my family than I can express. Due to a previous traumatic brain injury, my father has faced disability discrimination, and seeing it happen again was devastating. Nikki protected Dad from further distress and comforted me when I became overwhelmed. She provided reassurance at a time when I struggled to leave him alone in the hospital.
My aunt and grandmother temporarily relocated from Sydney to Hobart, and I travelled back and forth between Launceston and Hobart. Knowing that Nikki was caring for my father eased all our anxieties. Her kindness, professionalism and genuine care made an incredibly difficult period more bearable for our whole family. Nikki is an extraordinary nurse whose compassion has had a lasting impact on us, and we are deeply grateful for the care she provided.
Throughout my father’s long and complex recovery, Nikki celebrated every milestone with us. From fighting off a tracheostomy infection, becoming more alert, using a speech valve, getting his tracheostomy removed, eating and drinking unassisted, and finally being able to walk 6 weeks after the injury, she advocated fiercely for his needs and treated him with unwavering dignity at every stage.
One moment stands out - my father had to frequently cough up secretions to avoid pneumonia. Another patient in the room swore under their breath each time my father coughed. Because my father could not speak or advocate for himself, hearing this was deeply distressing. When I told Nikki, she responded immediately, took the complaint seriously, ensured the other patient was reminded of the hospital’s zero-tolerance policy, and educated the patient on why my father needed to cough as part of his recovery. Instead of dismissing my concerns, she protected my father’s safety and dignity without hesitation.
This act of advocacy, empathy and compassion meant more to my family than I can express. Due to a previous traumatic brain injury, my father has faced disability discrimination, and seeing it happen again was devastating. Nikki protected Dad from further distress and comforted me when I became overwhelmed. She provided reassurance at a time when I struggled to leave him alone in the hospital.
My aunt and grandmother temporarily relocated from Sydney to Hobart, and I travelled back and forth between Launceston and Hobart. Knowing that Nikki was caring for my father eased all our anxieties. Her kindness, professionalism and genuine care made an incredibly difficult period more bearable for our whole family. Nikki is an extraordinary nurse whose compassion has had a lasting impact on us, and we are deeply grateful for the care she provided.