When Lucie first considered foster care, she never imagined it would become such a central part of her life, but as a foster carer with MacKillop Family Services, providing safety and stability for children in crisis has added a real sense of purpose.
Today, Lucie is a lung cancer Clinical Nurse Coordinator in a major metropolitan hospital.
What she loves most is the connection with patients.
“You build relationships, support people through difficult moments and hopefully make things a little easier,” she says. “It’s very similar to fostering in that way.”
“It’s never the patients – or the children - that are the challenge,” she says. “They’re the reason you keep doing it.”
A helping hand when it’s needed
Lucie became a foster carer in 2019 alongside her husband, Mike. The couple had discussed fostering, particularly as they met later in life and chose not to have children together.
“There are already so many children in the world who need care,” she says. “It was always in the back of my mind that I would like to foster.”
“Sometimes all that’s needed is one safe night,” she says. “That can make all the difference.”
Since then, they have cared for more than 35 children, mostly aged between one and five. While some stayed only overnight or for a weekend, others remained for months. One little girl who arrived for short-term care has now been with them for more than two years.
“When she first came, she only had a few words,” Lucie says. “Now goodness, can she talk. She’s such a chatterbox!”
Watching children grow and thrive is what motivates the couple to continue fostering. One young boy with a disability stands out. With persistence, Lucie helped secure NDIS supports, occupational therapy and developmental aids for him.
“Seeing his progress was incredible,” she says.
He was always laughing and smiling. It was worth every bit of effort to help set him up for the future.
It’s a journey shared with Lucie and Mike’s own family. Their 4 grandchildren have each formed friendships with children in their care, and Lucie’s father has been ‘Grandad Mike’ to many. Lucie and Mike been able to stay in touch with some who have come and gone.
A fitting balance
Balancing nursing and foster care is not always easy, but Lucie says flexibility within healthcare workplaces makes it possible. Her Coordinator nursing role allows more predictable hours, and she points to the foster care leave provisions of the nursing Enterprise Agreement.
“There are so many ways you can make it work,” she says. “You can organise support and it doesn’t have to be 24/7.”
For nurses considering foster care themselves, Lucie believes the profession naturally equips people with the empathy, adaptability and experience needed to support children through uncertainty.
“Kids are incredibly resilient,” she says. “You might only care for them for a short time, but you can still give them love, warmth and safety when they need it most.”