The author Joy Nugent was a pioneer in establishing a private nurse practice in home-based end-of-life care in 1987 in her hometown of Adelaide, South Australia in her midlife. She was inspired by Orem's self-care defi cit theory which suggests patients are better able to recover when they maintain some independence over their own self-care. The role of the nurse was to support the patient in their informed choices. This Self- Care Portfolio was guided by a handbook Joy read on Nursing Diagnosis. It became her assessment guide.
Joy is passionate about integrating the emerging science of energy medicine with care of the physical body. This is reflected in her latest book, Live Well to Die Well - looking at all facets of a best possible life published in 2023.
Her other books:
As Good As Goodbyes Get– a window into death and dying, 2014
My Way – one nurse's passion for end-of-life, 2018 Parting the Veil – reflections on soul, 2018.
Your Life – Your Way – practical tips and reflections, 2022.
She is the founder and director of a private for-profit company Hunab Ku Pty Ltd. Hunab Ku is a Mayan name for the spiritual goal of oneness. This company owns the copyright of the author's books and supports the charity Soul Talks which Joy founded in 2018 to promote self-healing and to relieve death anxiety.