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Inside paediatric palliative care nursing at Hummingbird House

Tags: Palliative and Hospice Care, Hummingbird House

When it comes to nursing, few roles demand the heart and soul that paediatric palliative care does. At Hummingbird House (HBH), a sanctuary dedicated to supporting children with life-limiting conditions and their families, nurses like Amelia and Ashleigh bring hope, comfort, and joy under the most challenging circumstances a family can face.

Read their story and watch the video below.

Meet Amelia and Ashleigh

Nurses Amelia and Ashleigh at Hummingbird House 2025

Registered nurse Amelia and enrolled nurse Ashleigh share a deep passion for children and a unique perspective on working in paediatric palliative care.

Amelia’s connection to children began early, teaching swimming as a teenager and working in disability support. Her move into paediatric palliative care was unplanned but felt right.

“I was looking for a change of pace because I was working in emergency care and had previously done placements in paediatrics and palliative care separately.

“Children have always been something that I love to work with” Ashleigh said about her journey into paediatric palliative care. With a background in dance teaching and childcare prior to nursing, Ashleigh started her nursing career in oncology and haematology before making the transition.

“I decided to… branch out a little bit and change it up. I really loved the idea of Hummingbird House and just applied.”

The truth of working at Hummingbird House

The beauty of Hummingbird House lies in its dynamic and individualised care. Amelia describes a day filled with “feeds for all the kids, lots and lots of playing, arts and crafts, movie days, jumping in the sensory room, a little chill out, medications… and lots of walks.”

Ashleigh adds, "You can’t really describe a typical day at Hummingbird House, because it’s the most unique environment."

Some days we’re out in the community doing crazy activities - bowling, the zoo, outings. The kids we care for are some of the most complex and vulnerable you’ll come across, but we have so much fun.

A common misconception is that hospice means imminent death. Ashleigh clarifies:

Paediatric palliative care isn’t just for dying right away. Kids may come for years. We enhance their quality of life, help families make memories, and support them to live fully.

Amelia adds, “When I started, I thought palliative care was end-of-life care, symptom management only. Here, kids come from as early as in utero. We build connections from pregnancy and birth and get to watch kids hit milestones.”

The emotional challenges

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Although it’s a role that both Amelia and Ashleigh adore, they admit that the work can be very emotional. Ashleigh reflects on the deep bonds formed:

“The kids we care for come from birth. You see them along their journey for respite and develop really close relationships with their families and them. It can be emotionally taxing.”

Amelia echoes this:

Watching them deteriorate rapidly sometimes, and not necessarily being able to fix the issue… we’re here to enhance the quality of life at the end. But it can be very hard.

Yet, Ashleigh finds empowerment in the role: “Knowing you’re not there to save lives but to help them end their life peacefully… I found it very empowering. It changed my outlook on death and grief.”

Amelia describes the contrast to hospital life: “My whole job was about trying to save lives. This is a definite change of pace. Its humbling being around families in the hardest times … Here, you make memories with the kids and families, and it’s beautiful.”

Both nurses have personal methods to manage the emotional intensity. Ashleigh keeps an “Honour Them” journal, writing about her time with children through their stages and after death, channelling grief privately.

Amelia is more verbal: “Debriefs with staff, who are friends, are some of the biggest coping skills."

We go through it together. Seeing families transition from first admission to end-of-life care and beyond, sometimes with tears, is okay and helps.

Supporting the whole family

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At HBH, care extends beyond the child. “We interact a lot with families, siblings, extended family… depending on the stay, we get families involved in activities, outings, play, creating quality time together,” Ashleigh explains.

Amelia adds:

We provide support to anyone within the family. Some families bring 20, 30, 40 people. It’s special because we care for all of them, not just the child. You learn a lot about cultures, religions, and family dynamics.

Ashleigh shares the joy of honouring each child uniquely: “Being able to support families to honour their child in the way they believe is best, culturally, religiously, or personally, is very eye-opening and beautiful.”

The nurses carry memories of families that have touched their hearts deeply. Ashleigh recalls a recent family whose passing profoundly affected her.

“I keep seeing signs. It took me five months to finish their journal section. When I finished, one of their favourite songs filled the room, even though no one was there, or the song wasn’t playing. It was comforting.”

Amelia remembers a young couple whose baby defied early expectations: “We cared for them for months, watching milestones, then discharged them home. They sent photos making memories, returned for end-of-life care, and come back every year for remembering days. It’s sweet to still see them.”

Lessons on life, death and finding joy

This work teaches profound truths. Amelia reflects, “It makes you think about your own issues… in the grand scheme, is this really a big deal? It makes you live life to its fullest.”

Ashleigh adds, “Anything can happen at any time. As a mum, it terrifies me, but I know how to live life and their lives to the maximum. I don’t fear death anymore. It’s a beautiful thing. Grief and love go hand in hand.”

So what keeps these nurses going? Ashleigh finds strength in families returning post-grief:

Seeing how they work through it and hearing how we impacted their lives, it makes you feel your work is worth it.

Amelia values the friendships and shared strength among staff: “Remembering days where families come back to reflect, seeing how life goes on. The child remains part of the family, and we helped create memories they wouldn’t have had otherwise."

Unlike hospitals, here you slow down, reflect, and deliver holistic care, a true gold standard in nursing.

Encouraging the next generation of paediatric palliative care nurses

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Working in this field requires more than clinical skills. Amelia believes a good sense of humour and the ability to not take oneself too seriously are key. “One of my favourite parts of this job is… finding the craziest wardrobe pieces to wear to work. We don’t have to wear a uniform. It’s all the colours, the bows, the sparkles. All the fun things!”

Ashleigh highlights empathy balanced with professional boundaries: “You’ve got to be very empathetic. But also know how to put up a professional boundary of that’s not my grief, while allowing yourself to feel whatever emotions arise. Because if you don’t, you will burn out very fast.”

To those considering this career, Ashleigh offers heartfelt advice:

Absolutely go for it. It’s the most rewarding, incredible job. But make sure you have a good support system, you’ll need it. It can be emotionally draining but incredibly worthwhile.

Amelia’s words capture the spirit of the role: “Buy the prettiest, most colourful outfits, warm up your vocal cords for singing, get ready for art skills. It’s a wild ride, an absolute roller coaster, but brings immense happiness and job satisfaction you won’t find elsewhere.”

If you’re a nurse looking for a role that blends clinical excellence with heartfelt connection, paediatric palliative care at Hummingbird House offers a uniquely fulfilling career. Here, you’ll be part of a compassionate community dedicated to making every moment count for children and their families.

Interested in a rewarding career in pediatric nursing?

Explore careers at Hummingbird House and become a beacon of hope for those who need it most.