2024 Dame Quentin Bryce Postgraduate Palliative Care Nursing Scholarship recipients announced

Above: (L to R) Jacqui Bilo (SVHM Chief Nursing Officer), Sabita Pahari, Dame Quentin Bryce, Jocelle Cape and Nicole Tweddle (SVHM Chief Executive)

Jocelle Cape and Sabita Pahari have been awarded the 2024 Dame Quentin Bryce Postgraduate Palliative Care Nursing Scholarship, valued at $10,000.

Thanks to the generous support of donors to St Vincent's Foundation Victoria, the scholarship is awarded annually to one or more St Vincent’s palliative care nurses who are undertaking a postgraduate certificate or diploma.

Now in its fourth year, this is the second time the scholarship has been shared by two recipients.

“Having access to formal postgraduate education helps improve the skills, confidence and expertise of nurses to work in specialist palliative care services so they can be technically prepared from a clinical perspective but also provides them with what they need psychologically to process and navigate the emotional aspects of the job,” said Jacqui Bilo, Chief Nursing Officer at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne.

“Palliative care nursing is a challenging specialty to pursue but also extremely rewarding. Our palliative care nurses make a valuable difference in someone’s life and to their families at their most vulnerable time.” 

 Jocelle migrated to Australia from the Phillippines, where she worked as an aged care nurse before joining the St Vincent’s team at Caritas Christi as a palliative care nurse in 2021.

She is undertaking her graduate diploma studies in palliative care nursing this year and hopes to become a nurse practitioner when she completes her course, which would allow her to expand her role to include community-based work.

“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,” said Jocelle.

“Joining Caritas Christi has deepened my understanding of palliative care, and my postgraduate studies continue to expand my knowledge and awareness.”

Jocelle hopes her study will provide her the opportunity to contribute to developing and implementing innovative approaches that enhance the quality of life for those facing serious illnesses.

“I aim to advocate for greater awareness and education in palliative care, bridging gaps in knowledge and resources. I envision a future where compassionate care is a fundamental expectation, not just an aspiration,” she said.

Becoming a nurse was a lifelong ambition for Sabita Pahari. Growing up in Nepal, she migrated to Australia in 2015 after she completed her Bachelor of Nursing. Initially she worked as an agency nurse and eventually landed a fulltime role at Caritas in 2018.

Sabita was inspired to work in palliative care because she saw it as a place where she could make a real difference to people in need.

“I love to make our patients' day beautiful by listening to them and hearing their stories. I see them as a whole person and not just a patient,” said Sabita.

This scholarship will support Sabita’s dream to pursue postgraduate study.

“This will be my first degree in Australia. I am excited to have this opportunity to advance my knowledge in the palliative care field – an area I feel deeply passionate about,” said Sabita.

“I am eager to deepen my understanding of palliative care and to integrate what I learn into practice, enhancing patient care and supporting my colleagues in providing compassionate, high-quality care.”  

A history of compassionate caring

St Vincent’s has a long and respected history of delivering compassionate care to people in need. In 1890, St Vincent’s opened Australia’s first modern hospice in Sydney. Caritas Christi, in Kew, followed in the 1930s, becoming the first inpatient palliative care facility in Victoria. 

Today, this state-of-the-art facility is recognised as Victoria’s largest and best-known provider of palliative and supportive care. It has earned a reputation as a centre for excellence across Australia.