Kapwa Clinic

18/10/2025

10/10/2025

Some days I look like this 😱
Running a growing private practice, working full-time in public health, being a solo mum, keeping my pets and my sanity alive — it’s a lot!

I love being a Nurse Practitioner. I love caring, leading, and building something meaningful. ❤️
But the truth? It’s getting harder.

💬 Limited MBS item numbers
💬 Diagnostic restrictions
💬 Telehealth cuts that hurt access for those who need it most

We don’t need pity — we need support.
For every NP out there still showing up: keep going, keep speaking up, and keep caring.
Australia needs us. 🇦🇺

08/10/2025

☕ Being a Nurse Practitioner isn’t just what I do — it’s who I am.

Every patient, every conversation, every quiet moment with a cup of coffee reminds me why I chose this path — to bring compassion, access, and human connection back into healthcare.

It hasn’t always been easy. Nurse Practitioners often walk the line between being recognised and being overlooked — told we are valued, yet left waiting for a seat at the table. But we keep showing up, because we know our presence changes lives.

My passion is simple: to care with heart, to advocate for those unheard, and to prove that Nurse Practitioners are not just “filling a gap” — we are building the bridge.

💜 Here’s to purpose, persistence, and to every NP who continues to rise, even when the spotlight forgets to turn our way.

15/09/2025

💭 Middle Child Syndrome… but make it Nurse Practitioner.
An Aha Moment I Had Today…

You know what being a Nurse Practitioner sometimes feels like?

It’s like being the middle child in the healthcare family. Hear me out 👇

👩‍⚕️ The Doctors? They’re the firstborns. Respected, always consulted, raised to be leaders. They get a seat at the big table, and everyone listens when they speak.

👩‍🏫 The Nurses? Our beloved youngest siblings. Valued in their own right, fiercely defended, never just a nurse. They get their own recognition, and rightly so—they’re the heart of the house.

And then…
There’s the Nurse Practitioner.

The dependable middle child. 🫣
Capable, resourceful, often praised for being “independent” — but sometimes overlooked.
Not always fully invited to the decision-making table.
Seen as trying to “be like the doctor” if we speak up — even when that’s never what we said.
Yet when things fall apart? Who’s helping to bridge the gap?
We’re coordinating with the parents (hello Medicare and the healthcare system), supporting our older siblings (docs), mentoring the younger ones (nurses), and working hand-in-hand with our cousins (allied health).

We’re the glue. 🧩

And maybe, just maybe, it’s time we stop asking for permission to be seen—and start owning our space as essential.

Not the first. Not the last. But right in the middle of impact, connection, and care.

23/08/2025

The Thin Line We Walk as Nurse Practitioners

How often have you been pushed into a corner—told what medication a patient wants rather than what they need?

I absolutely believe in self-advocacy. Patients should know their bodies and speak up. But sometimes that advocacy crosses into pressure. And it’s not always about addictive drugs—it’s antibiotics, steroids, hormone therapy, even supplements.

The weight of these conversations is heavy.
Do you say no and risk being seen as uncaring?
Do you give in and risk compromising care?
Or do you take the longer, harder road of educating—knowing it may still fall on deaf ears?

Education is always my anchor, but let’s be honest: it drains you. After a day of saying no, explaining why, or being pushed to the edge, the emotional toll is real.

And yet—we keep showing up. Because safe care matters more than being liked. Because protecting patients (even from their own demands) is part of our oath.

To my fellow clinicians: how do you navigate these moments? And how do you take care of yourself after the shift that leaves you emotionally bruised?

⸻

07/07/2025

You Are Not Crazy, Difficult, or Weak—You Might Be in Perimenopause 💛

Do you sometimes feel like your body, mind, and emotions are just not “you” anymore? You’re not alone. Whether you’re in perimenopause, menopause, or even surgical/forced menopause, the truth is this: you are not broken.

Many of us go through these changes without even realizing that our symptoms are hormonally driven. We’re told to push through, that “it’s part of getting older,” or worse, that “it’s all in our head.”

But guess what? You are not crazy, difficult, or weak. You are changing, hormonally, physiologically, emotionally—and there is help, support, and most importantly, understanding.

As women, we will all go through this cycle one way or another. And recognizing that you’re not alone can be the first powerful step toward feeling well again.

Here’s a comprehensive list of what perimenopause can look and feel like: 👇
• Irregular periods (shorter, longer, heavier, or lighter)
• Skipped periods
• Shorter or longer cycles
• Premenstrual symptoms worsening (PMS)
• Mid-cycle spotting
• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Flushing
• Chills or feeling suddenly cold
• Difficulty falling asleep
• Frequent waking during the night
• Early morning awakening
• Insomnia
• Irritability
• Mood swings
• Anxiety or nervousness
• Depression or low mood
• Crying spells
• Panic attacks
• Brain fog
• Difficulty concentrating
• Memory lapses or forgetfulness
• Word-finding difficulty
• Fatigue (even after rest)
• Joint pain or stiffness
• Muscle aches
• Headaches or migraines (often worsened)
• Weight gain (especially around the abdomen)
• Bloating
• Breast tenderness
• Heart palpitations
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Dry or itchy skin
• Acne or breakouts (similar to puberty)
• Thinning hair or increased hair shedding
• Increased facial hair
• Brittle nails
• Vaginal dryness
• Pain during s*x
• Reduced libido
• Urinary frequency or urgency
• Increased risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Gum sensitivity or bleeding
• Changes in body odor
• Increased sensitivity to temperature
• Sensation of electric shocks
• Tingling extremities
• Allergies worsening or new allergies
• Digestive changes (bloating, reflux)

Every symptom listed above is real. You don’t need to suffer in silence or second-guess yourself. There are options—holistic, medical, lifestyle-based—that can support you through this transition.

As a nurse practitioner, I’m here to tell you: you are not alone, and you are not imagining it. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms and want to better understand your body, I’d love to help you through your journey.

Let’s break the stigma, talk openly, and support one another. Because being informed is empowering—and you deserve to feel like yourself again.

💬💛🔥

30/06/2025

Welcome to Your Personalized Wellness & Beauty Care
Cosmetic Treatments

Enhance your natural beauty with tailored treatments including:

Botox: Smooth fine lines and wrinkles

Dermal Fillers: Restore volume and facial contours

Our cosmetic treatments can be combined safely with weight loss and hormone therapies to optimize your results and overall wellbeing.

Weight Loss Management
Achieve lasting, healthy weight loss with a personalized plan that includes:

Comprehensive health and lifestyle assessments

Customized nutrition and meal planning

Behavioral coaching for sustainable habits

Medical support including hormone evaluation

Ongoing monitoring and adjustments

Your weight loss journey is supported with a holistic, balanced approach.

Peri-Menopause & Menopause Care
We help manage common symptoms with compassionate care:

Hot flashes & night sweats

Mood changes & sleep disturbances

Weight gain & skin changes

Decreased energy & libido

Vaginal dryness

Treatment options include hormone management, lifestyle advice, and skin wellness therapies.

Comprehensive Health Screening
Before starting treatments, we conduct thorough health assessments to ensure your safety and tailor your care. This includes screening for conditions such as hormonal imbalances, diabetes, thyroid disorders, and cardiovascular health.

Managing Chronic Conditions
If you have diabetes, thyroid issues, or other chronic conditions affecting your skin or weight, we offer specialized support. Collaboration with your healthcare team ensures coordinated care for the best outcomes.

20/04/2025

🌿 Feeling Off But Told It’s Just Aging? You Deserve Better.
At Kapwa Clinic, we hear you.
If you’ve been feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, anxious, wired at night but tired all day—this is not “just aging.”
It could be perimenopause, menopause, or postmenopause, and you don’t have to navigate it alone.

✨ Palpitations?
✨ Sleepless nights?
✨ Brain fog? Mood swings?
✨ Weight changes no matter what you do?

You are not weak, not overreacting, and not imagining it.
These changes are real.
Asking for help is not a sign of weakness—it’s a step toward clarity, balance, and feeling like yourself again.

💛 At Kapwa Clinic, we offer:
✔️ Holistic, evidence-based care
✔️ Nurse practitioner-led consults
✔️ Time to talk, be heard, and get answers
✔️ Support that understands YOU

📍 Book your consult today
📍 56C Glen Osmond Road, Parkside, SA 5063
📞 0414 496 449
📧 annette@kapwaclinic.com.au
🌐 kapwaclinic.com.au

Because you shouldn’t have to feel invisible in your own body.
We’re here. Let’s talk.

07/04/2025

A Clinician’s Reflection in the Rain

I don’t know how many people will come across this post or watch the amateur video that comes with it—but maybe someone needs to hear this today.

This morning, I found myself sitting on the ground in front of a mall, waiting for the rain to settle or the doors to open. As I watched the water pour from the skies, lightning flash, and thunder rumble—it hit me.

This is what it’s like for many of our patients.

As a Nurse Practitioner, a clinician, a carer—I’m constantly reminded that illness (whether mental or physical) can feel like this storm:Heavy. Unpredictable. Loud. Frightening.And sometimes, overwhelming.

Some patients may come prepared with coping strategies—like umbrellas in the rain. Others may feel broken, frustrated, and defeated—“Why am I still sick?” “Why won’t this pain go away?” “Why doesn’t anyone get it?”

As clinicians, we don’t always have answers. But we can choose to sit with them in the storm.

We can get a little wet too.

And through empathy, patience, and listening—we can help them find shelter, dry off, or simply remind them: This storm will pass.

Let’s remember:The way we see our patients is not the way they feel.And how we feel for them is not the same as how they perceive our care.

Compassion isn’t just an intention—it’s a practice.

30/03/2025

Enhancing Healthcare Together: A Call to Action for Nurses and Nurse Practitioners 💪

In Australia today, healthcare is more than just a service—it’s a pressing political topic. As part of the current agenda, political parties continue to promise improvements, yet real reform seems elusive. The ongoing cycle of investment without significant progress is unsustainable. It’s time for us to take a stand. 🔥

The Need for a Unified Voice 🙌

We, as health practitioners—especially nurses and Nurse Practitioners—have a unique perspective on what’s working and what isn’t. Our daily experiences with patients provide firsthand insight into the strengths and weaknesses of our healthcare system. If we want tangible change, our voices must be louder, our demands clearer, and our actions more decisive.

Taking Action Beyond the Conversation 🚀

Talking about reform is not enough. To create a system that truly serves our patients, we need to lead by example. This means actively referring patients to Nurse Practitioners, nurses, and midwives—showing how our care models not only work but excel. When patients experience the positive impact of our approach firsthand, it builds trust and reinforces our role as essential healthcare providers.

Supporting Each Other for a Stronger Future 🌟

Believing in our abilities and supporting one another is the key to breaking through current barriers. By working together and championing our successes, we establish our rightful place in the healthcare landscape. Every referral, every shared success story, and every act of support is a step towards meaningful reform.

Let’s ensure that our commitment to patient care and our innovative approach are recognized. By lifting each other up and showcasing the best of what we can do, we not only improve patient outcomes but also pave the way for the healthcare reforms our community so desperately needs.

Together, let’s be the change. 💪🌟

25/03/2025

🌿 Kapwa Clinic: Compassionate Care, Tailored to You 🌿

At Kapwa Clinic, we believe in the power of compassionate curiosity. Our mission is simple: to provide early access to healthcare, listen deeply to your unique health journey, and guide you through the path to wellness—whether you're managing a chronic condition or navigating a new health challenge.

As Nurse Practitioners, we are here to:

🔹 Truly listen to your health concerns and needs
🔹 Understand the full picture of your wellness, beyond just symptoms
🔹 Empower you to take charge of your health decisions
🔹 Collaborate with you and your family to ensure the best care plan
🔹 Provide support on your journey to health, every step of the way

We partner with you to help manage chronic conditions, prevent illness, and restore your well-being—always with you and your family in mind. Your health is personal to us, and we’re committed to offering care that’s compassionate, patient-centered, and built on trust.

Let’s work together on your health journey.

📞 Schedule an appointment today!
👉 https://kapwaclinic.com.au/

24/03/2025

🌟 The Power of Skin: A Reflection of Our Inner Health 🌟

It’s been a while since I’ve taken a moment to highlight just how much I love our skin. 💖 From its radiant glow to its rough patches, it tells the most intimate story about what’s going on inside our bodies. The glow of happiness ✨, the dullness of sadness or stress 😔—our skin communicates it all. No matter how much makeup we put on, or how many layers we wear, the truth is still written on our skin.

This is especially true for those who may feel that their outward appearance—like muscle mass 💪—can hide deeper signs of neglect or imbalance. But here’s the truth: the skin will always reveal what’s underneath. Whether you’re investing in gym time or skincare, it’s not just about looking good on the outside—it’s about feeling good on the inside too. 🧘‍♀️🌿

As a primary health care nurse and someone who also works in the aesthetic industry, I am deeply passionate about holistic enhancement. 🌸 I work with patients who might want a little extra help in their journey—whether that’s through neurotoxin or injectable fillers 💉—to help them look as good as they feel inside. But here's the truth I tell every patient: True beauty comes from a balance of both inner and outer care.

When we don’t prioritize inner health—like nutrition 🥗, stress management 🧘‍♂️, and sleep 💤—no amount of aesthetic treatment can fully bring us to a place of healing. That’s why as a holistic clinician, I’m here to guide, not impose. I help my patients make informed, safe decisions that support their goals without compromising their health.

I love educating my patients—helping them understand the why behind every decision we make together. In a world full of images and advertisements that promise perfection, remember: medical treatments should always be about your well-being first. 💙

So, let’s continue to embrace our skin, the good, the bad, and the ugly. Let it remind us that self-care starts from within, and sometimes, a little support on the outside can make all the difference. ✨💆‍♀️