Nurse-Led Aged Care & NDIS Support in Canberra

People First Nursing is a Canberra-based, Registered Nurse led provider delivering compassionate, expert nursing and care consultancy across Aged Care & NDIS Navigation, SIL & Respite Support, Consultancy services, urgent Crisis Support, and tailored Unmet Needs Support for complex situations and Palliative Care at Home.

We specialise in person-centred clinical guidance, care navigation, crisis support and family support empowering individuals and families to navigate complex care systems with confidence, dignity, and respect.

Trusted Registered Nurse-Led Care in Canberra

Registered Nurse-led care delivered with integrity, transparency, and respect — focused on ageing well, dementia care, disability support, and complex health needs.

Dementia & Gerontology Specialists

With over 20 years of experience in dementia and aged care nursing, our tailored, person-centred approach supports individuals and families through every stage of ageing and cognitive change.

High standards of care delivery

Experienced Gerontologists, Registered Nurses and care teams providing expert, compassionate support in aged care, disability, and complex health needs.

Meet the founders

Nicole Smith

Nicole Smith is a Registered Nurse, gerontologist, global human rights advocate and public speaker with 20 years’ experience advancing relationship-centered care. She is the co-founder and Principal of People First Nursing, delivering trusted consulting, hands-on clinical guidance, real life solutions and advocacy that priorities human rights, dignity, and lived experience.

Sonal Sapkota

Sonal Sapkota is a Registered Nurse, public health advocate, and global speaker with a Bachelor of Nursing and Master of Public Health. She is the co-founder and Managing Director of People First Nursing, a consultancy dedicated to delivering hands-on, trusted clinical guidance, leadership, and person-centred healthcare solutions.

Dementia and Gerontology consultants

With over 20 years experience in dementia and aged care nursing our tailored person centred approach can support you and your family through any situation that comes your way. 

Health Care with Heart

Our Nurse-Led Services

At People First Nursing, we deliver nurse-led, compassionate clinical care and guidance grounded in gerontology, human rights, and person-centred practice. We support individuals, families, and organisations with ethical, evidence-based solutions across aged care, disability, and complex health needs. Learn more about our Crisis Support, Clinical Guidance, and Advocacy services to see how we can support you.

Aged Care & NDIS Navigation

Aged Care & NDIS Navigation

Clear, trusted guidance to help individuals and families understand options, make informed decisions, and navigate complex systems.

Palliative Care at Home

Palliative Care at Home

Gentle, professional end-of-life care that honours comfort, choice, and quality of life in the familiarity of home.

Crisis Support

There when you need us fast. Hospitals, care fatigue and burn out, deliriums and challenging behaviours, we support you from the moment you call.

SIL & Respite Support

SIL & Respite Support

Clinical oversight and leadership to support safe, sustainable full time accomodation and respite arrangements that promote autonomy and wellbeing, while keeping you connected to your local community.

Consultancy

Consultancy

We help Aged Care and NDIS providers grow strategically, ethically, and sustainably—ensuring the right outcomes for both your business and the people you support.

Advocacy

Advocacy

We advocate fiercely and respectfully for the rights, safety, and dignity of the people we support, ensuring their voice is central in every decision.

Education

Education

We deliver high-quality training for support workers, nurses, and organisations, covering dementia care, behaviour support, clinical care, medications, ethics, human rights, and culture change.

Unmet Needs Support

Unmet Needs Support

Trauma-informed, dementia-aware strategies that reduce restrictive practices and improve quality of life ethically and safely. We see the unmet need in every "Behaviour".

Clinical Guidance

Clinical Guidance

Nurse-led advocacy, tailored training, and consultancy supporting individuals, families, and NDIS and Aged Care organisations to deliver ethical, high-quality care.

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People First Nursing
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Why Choose Us

You will be supported because people come first

At People First Nursing, we combine clinical excellence with compassion, integrity, and a deep commitment to human rights. As a Registered Nurse-led gerontology practice in Canberra, we provide trusted aged care, dementia, and NDIS guidance designed to help individuals and families navigate complex care systems with confidence and dignity.

Registered Nurse Expertise

Experienced Registered Nurses providing expert gerontology, dementia, disability, and complex care support — with true clinical oversight, not just coordination.

Tailored Care Solutions

Personalised aged care and NDIS guidance focused on dignity, ethical practice, and meaningful outcomes.

Person-Centred Care

Compassionate, transparent care delivered in partnership with families, carers, and health professionals.

24/7 Nurse-Led Support

Urgent nurse-led support for hospital discharge, carer burnout, behavioural changes, and care breakdown.

We Support You With Trusted Clinical Guidance

How we work
Who we support
We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all care. As a Registered Nurse-led team in Canberra, we listen, assess, and deliver personalised aged care and NDIS support with integrity and clinical expertise.
Nurse-Led Support Across Canberra
People First Nursing proudly supports individuals and families across Canberra and the ACT region with personalised aged care, NDIS support, SIL services, palliative care, and clinical guidance.
Our registered nurse-led team ensures compassionate, ethical and professional care for every stage of life.

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Testimonial

Feedback & Reviews

Nicole Smith and her team provided compassionate, person-centred care, keeping our relative safe, comfortable, and at home despite complex health needs. Their expertise, communication, and dedication made all the difference, setting a gold standard for care.

Kathleen Cook Registered Nurse

Nicole loves challenges and specialises in thinking outside the box and coming up with building solutions, not getting stuck in the mud of conflict and old thoughts. Nicole is a sought after board member speaker and consultant for a reason , she motivates change both on and off stage. She never preaches, but calls out injustice, bullying, cliques and inadequate care. She does this with tact and common sense, as well as a healthy dose of humour! Nicole has incredible knowledge as a gerontologist and RN, an international renowned expert in dementia , leadership, clinical care and removing barriers to the human rights of older people

Alwyn Blayse CEO and Physiotherapist

My family and I are deeply grateful for the care and support provided by Nicole during my husband’s journey with dementia. From the outset Nicole demonstrated an impressive level of expertise and compassion, always treating Hector with dignity and respect and ensuring that his wellbeing was prioritised. What stood out to us was Nicole’s advanced knowledge of dementia and her unwavering commitment to ethical practices. She consistently upheld Hector’s rights and privacy and always involved us in decision making - listening to his family and ensuring our voices were heard. Nicole handled each stage of the care process with sensitivity, patience, and genuine kindness. I cannot thank Nicole enough for the positive impact she had on our lives over the past 4 years. Her dedication and professionalism serve as a shining example for others in the nursing profession and dementia world, and I highly recommend her to any family seeking compassionate, professional and skilled care for their loved ones.

Susan Steele Wife of Hector

Sonal was consistently professional, responsive, and practical, yet always remained caring and good-humored. It was clear that she was highly respected by her care team and she established a truly wonderful rapport with our loved one. Her skills and approach gave our family immense peace of mind during a very challenging transition. We are incredibly grateful for the impact Sonal had on our loved one’s quality of life.

Marlene Daughter of Barbara

Sonal approached her work with professionalism, empathy, and a clear focus on the individual needs of each resident. During the three years my wife, Susan Honeyman, lived with younger onset dementia while in care, Sonal showed exceptional patience, kindness, and respect. She took the time to understand Susan as a person, not just a patient, and her thoughtful approach contributed greatly to Susan's comfort and sense of security. As a family, we were deeply appreciative of the care Sonal provided. Her compassion, reliability,and calm presence gave us confidence and reassurance during a very difficult period.

Sam Honeyman Husband of Sue

Nicole Smith demonstrates exceptional professionalism, leadership, and compassion. Her clinical expertise and empathetic leadership ensured people with dementia always receive care grounded in dignity and respect. Nicole showed outstanding commitment to the care of my wife, Susan, supporting both her wellbeing and our family with kindness, clarity, and patience during a very challenging time. Her care made a profound and lasting difference to us.

Sam Honeyman Husband of Sam