After 30 years working in hospitals, including as a clinical nurse specialist in palliative care, Registered Nurse Melinda Rulli made a courageous decision: she stepped away from the high-intensity world of hospital wards and chose a new path, one focused on supporting seniors in their own homes. 

It was more than just a career shift. For Melinda, it was a reawakening of purpose. 

“I spent years in acute settings, often with patients at the end of life,” she reflects. “While it was meaningful work, it took a toll. I wanted to continue caring, but in a way that helped people live, not just survive.” 

Now part of the Seniors Community Care team, Melinda brings decades of clinical experience to a role that’s grounded in compassion, continuity, and connection. As a community nurse, she visits older clients in their homes to provide medical assessments, coordinate medications, and work closely with families and GPs to ensure care is tailored and up to date. 

But it’s not just about the tasks, it's about trust. “We do everything we can to ensure clients are seen regularly by the same nurse. That consistency builds a real relationship,” she says. “For many, we’re the face of their day. We’re someone who listens, who takes the time.” 

Melinda is also passionate about breaking the misconceptions around aged care. “People think aged care is just giving someone a shower and moving on, but it’s so much more. We provide holistic, clinical care while building rapport. We listen to what matters to them and support them to stay independent for as long as possible.” 

With Australians living longer than ever, Melinda sees aged care as not only vital but deeply rewarding. “I’ve got clients who are 101 and 102 years old, and still fiercely independent. They don’t need us to take over, they just need a little bit of support, a little kindness, and a lot of respect.” 

For anyone considering a similar career change, Melinda’s advice is simple: “Do it!” 

“You’re out on the road, meeting incredible people, seeing new places, and making a real difference. It’s flexible, it’s fulfilling, and it brings you back to why you became a nurse in the first place.” 

Because for Melinda, one saying still holds true: “The day you stop caring is the day you stop nursing.”