Nicole was originally written in to the show to be a love interest of Maia, and she is now the fourth longest running character of Shortland Street.
Nicole arrive to Shortland Street in 2009 and after a long period of flirting she began a relationship with her boss, Maia. It was during this relationship that Nicole came out to her mother, Leanne, who threatened to disown her if she didn't break up with Maia. Nicole remained with Maia and a year later Leanne arrives in Ferndale with a new pro-gay attitude and was approving of their relationship, but Nicole ended things with Maia after she learned Maia had cheated.
Nicole fell in love with Lana Jacobs in 2012 but the relationship never really had a chance to take off. She became Director of Nursing and briefly dated several coworkers including Bonnie and Harper.
In 2014 Nicole rekindled with Vinnie and the two had a son, Pele. Shortly after she suffered a brain bleed and after waking from a coma, suffered major problems with her mental fatigue. In 2015 Nicole married Vinnie and returned to work. In late 2016 Nicole had an affair with new nurse Ruby Flores. She felt guilty and soon enough confessed to Vinnie, but the affair led to major strain on their relationship. Their marriage ended in 2018 after Vinnie got a job in Singapore and Nicole stayed in Ferndale.
Nicole had a short relationship with Zara in 2019 and Leanne immediately expressed support of their relationship, much to Nicole's surprise. After Zara, Nicole has a brief attraction with Marty until Maeve Mullens arrives in 2020.
Nicole and Maeve connect very quickly and the two marry in 2020 which is the first on-screen gay wedding on the show.