National Student Volunteer Week Spotlight – Nicole
What does palliative care mean to you as a student paramedic?
As a student paramedic, palliative care represents a different, yet equally vital, side to healthcare—focusing not solely on urgent interventions but on enhancing comfort, dignity, and quality of life for patients nearing the end of life. My training in emergency care has taught me the importance of rapid response, but palliative care reminds me that sometimes the greatest support we can provide is presence, empathy, and compassionate listening. It’s about seeing the person beyond the patient and supporting families during some of their most vulnerable moments. My purpose is not just to save lives, but to ensure that every life I touch feels respected and cared for until the very end.
What inspired you to volunteer with Ambulance Wish Queensland?
I was inspired to volunteer with Ambulance Wish Queensland because I believe deeply in the power of compassion and human connection. My passion for this program was sparked by a desire to help people not just in crisis, but also in moments that truly matter—by making a difference beyond medical treatment alone. The mission of granting meaningful wishes for people in their final days strongly aligns with my values of empathy and service. Seeing the comfort and joy that these experiences bring to patients and their families during such a vulnerable time is truly inspiring and is what motivates my continued involvement with Ambulance Wish QLD.
How do you see Ambulance Wish Queensland making a difference in the community?
From my perspective as a student paramedic, Ambulance Wish Queensland strengthens our community by showing that healthcare extends far beyond the hospital or ambulance—it’s about kindness, dignity, and recognizing what matters most to people. The program reflects my core values by emphasizing respect, compassion, and holistic care, demonstrating that emotional support is as critical as clinical care. I see its impact ripple outward: normalizing conversations about end-of-life wishes, increasing community awareness around palliative needs, and inspiring others in healthcare to provide truly person-centred care.
How do you think Ambulance Wish Queensland affects Wish Recipients and their loved ones?
I’ve witnessed the profound emotional impact these wishes have—often creating moments of closure, reconnection, or simple joy for wish recipients and their loved ones. For families, being able to share a meaningful experience or see a loved one’s final wish fulfilled often provides comfort and treasured memories during a difficult time. This aligns deeply with my own sense of purpose in volunteering: to offer hope, comfort, and support through actions that honour each person’s story and needs.
Do you have a special memory from a Wish that has stayed with you?
One moment that has stayed with me was when we helped a patient revisit a place that held deep personal meaning for them. Seeing the genuine happiness—and the gratitude in their family’s eyes—was deeply moving. It reminded me why I chose this path: compassionate care isn’t always about what you do clinically, but how you make someone feel. It was also comforting to know that in many wishes I attended, the wish was more about the family and creating happy memories than sometimes the wish participant. Moments like these have strengthened my commitment to practicing empathy in every aspect of my future career as a paramedic and reaffirmed the value of supporting people both medically and emotionally.
