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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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

We have known Sonal and Nicole for many years, and their dedication to supporting clients and families is truly second to none. Choosing People First Nursing for Mum’s care was an easy and confident decision. The incredible team at People First Nursing tailor care and support to each individual, ensuring every person can live their best life—no matter their diagnosis or the level of illness they are facing. Since moving in, Mum has gained a new lease on life, despite living with very advanced dementia. She is encouraged to contribute to the household in meaningful ways—helping with cooking, washing, folding, and even ironing (including Stan’s shirts!). She enjoys brisk daily walks with visiting dogs, helps in the garden, and participates in everyday household activities. These moments give her a strong sense of purpose and help keep both her body and mind as active as possible. Most importantly, she feels useful, valued, and included—something that has always meant so much to her. Dementia does not have to mean the end of a meaningful life. With the right care, even someone living with advanced dementia can still contribute, feel valued, and experience genuine happiness. People First Nursing ensures Mum is surrounded by love, treated with kindness and respect, and supported to maintain her dignity every step of the way.

Liesl Sondra’s daughter
April 2026

My sister Yas is 54 years old. Yas felt that she contracted frontal temporal dementia following a traumatic event from having her merina removal which had gotten attached to her stomach lining. Following on from that Yas started getting more softly spoken until she eventually lost her ability to speak. She tried clinical trials but to no avail. Finally we applied for NDIS and had varying experiences. When we met Nicole and her team both Yas, Amit and I felt that we had found the correct fit. From the first day Natalie and Yas clicked and became the best of friends. For the first time Yas experienced joy, laughter and true friendship. Our whole extended family and friend groups get to see what Yas is doing and the joy on her face warms my heart as it does everyone else. All our family and friends point out the difference in her demeanor and joy. I will be forever grateful for the care and friendship that the team gives Yas. Yas is treated like a friend and treated with respect, courtesy and genuine love and warmth. Thank you Nicole, Sonal and Natalie you make me believe in the goodness of human beings, I will be eternally grateful.

Lucy Simic Sister of Yas
April 2026

As Stan’s sister, I’ve seen an incredible change in him since moving into People First Nursing. He’s happier, more energetic, and truly enjoying life again. He loves the food, the company, and the freedom to do what he likes, with great support for his hobbies. The team feel like family, especially Sherelle, who takes him out into the community regularly. Their connection means so much to us, and it’s wonderful to see him feel so happy. Sonal and Nicole make us all feel genuinely part of their vision, where their clients are respected, celebrated, included, and truly at the centre of everything they do.

Maria Sister of Stan
April 2026

Food is nice, company is nice, I can do anything I like, they support my hobbies and I have more energy since I moved in- they are just like my family now. Sherelle takes me out in the community four days week and we enjoy each other's company a lot, we have lots in common and she makes me feel part of her and her children's lives. I am very happy.

Stan Lives in a PFN home
April 2026

We have entrusted our precious Catherine to People First Nursing knowing the principals Nicole and Sonal are highly qualified and experienced dementia care professionals who are closely involved in all aspects of the care and attention given to residents and treat them all as much loved extended family. Knowing Catherine is safe and comfortable in the care of Nicole and Sonal and their carefully selected and mentored team is a huge relief and allows us to appreciate the much more relaxed time we are now able to enjoy in Catherine’s company.

Greg and Lara Wilson Wilson Family
April 2026