Community

Giving Thanks for Family Caregivers

Family caregivers are an essential component of the work that Independence Plus, Inc. (IPI) does to provide the best possible care for our medically complex, ventilator-dependent patients. While their job is not always easy, the devotion they show can make a profound difference in the lives of their loved ones. Kayla and her husband Kevin are two such people. Their son KJ was born just shy of 26 gestational weeks. He spent a year and a half in the hospital, before coming home with IPI’s skilled hourly home nursing in May 2015.

Tips and tricks to help nurses work a successful night shift [INFOGRAPHIC]

Community, Education, General

Whether you’re a night nurse by trade or pick up an overnight shift every now and then, check out our “Tips and Tricks” for surviving the night shift in home care.

Celebrating Respiratory Care Week!

Community, General, Our People

In honor of National Respiratory Care Week, Independence Plus, Inc. (IPI) would like to take a moment to thank our dedicated and talented team of Respiratory Care Practitioners (RCP’s)! The role of an RCP is to restore and improve lung health to patient’s lives. Our RCP’s are our go-to experts when it comes to respiratory care and services at home for our patients with complex medical and respiratory needs. Our RCP’s visit our ventilator-dependent patients a minimum of one time per month, delivering equipment and supplies, performing equipment checks and trach changes, checking vital signs, listening to lung sounds, measuring oxygen levels, and much more.

One Year Later: My First Year in Nursing

Community, Education, General, Our People

October 14th marked the first anniversary of me working as a Registered Nurse. Time has surely flown by and I can definitely say that I made the right career choice. When asked “do you like it?” I instantly smile, nod my head, and then I tell them, “I love it!” My first year as an RN has been eventful, emotional, and satisfying. I provided care for patients that passed away—expected and unexpected—and each death affected me in different ways. After one patient’s death, I was so devastated that I considered shifting paths in nursing. No longer wanting to build close relationships with patients, I solely wanted to provide care from a distance—health fairs, forums, and increased participation in health care reform. However, being personable and relationship-building is the reason why I wanted to become a nurse in the first place.

Someone You Should Know: Shineka, MHRM, IPI’s Scheduling Manager

Community, General, Our People

If you have been a patient, a patient’s family member, or an employee of Independence Plus, Inc. (IPI) in the past decade, you may already know Shineka. Although she spent her first 10 years at IPI working within payroll and benefits, for the last few years she’s also been assisting with our after-hours on-call scheduling. In May, she was promoted to Scheduling Manager, a challenging role that has her at the helm of a department that works 24/7 to ensure that the needs of our nurses and patients are met.

Annual Skills Competency Training: IPI’s Commitment to Ongoing Education

Community, Education, General, Our People

Education is at the forefront of everything we do at Independence Plus, Inc. (IPI). Upon hire, our nurses are immersed in a hands-on training and education program designed to prepare them to provide the best possible care for patients with complex medical and respiratory needs living at home. Once they are working in the field, the education keeps on going. Each fall, IPI nurses and clinical educators come together over the course of six days to take part in our Annual Skills Competency Training.

5 Keys of Effective Communication in the Workplace

Community, Education, Our People

Communication is inevitable. Why is miscommunication an ongoing issue–with your family, friends, co-workers, and even patients? Effective communication is necessary for healthy relationships and to function as an employee. Having a plethora of benefits, effective communication impacts our well-being, including our mental health. Consider the stressors that can result from mal and miscommunication.

Keeping José at home with his family

Community, General, Our People

Someone You Should Know: Bronwyn C., BSN, RN, IPI Clinical Transition Manager

Community, Education, General, Our People

At Independence Plus, Inc. (IPI), we expect the VERY best from our nurses, and that is exactly what we have found in Bronwyn C., BSN, RN. After starting as a Nurse Resident in IPI’s Home Nursing Residency program in late 2014, Bronwyn has continued to work as a nurse with our medically complex, ventilator-dependent patients. Now she has switched hats and taken on a new role with IPI, as our Clinical Transition Manager.

What Sets IPI Apart

Community, Education, General

The word “choice” is something we often hear in conversations and news about the ever-changing world of healthcare. “Choice” relates to types of care, clinicians, insurance, cost, and so on. When it comes to home healthcare, the most basic decision is which provider you choose.

IPI at AccessChicago 2016

Community, Events, General

Independence Plus, Inc. (IPI) was proud to take part in AccessChicago, an expo for people with disabilities, held earlier this week at Navy Pier. The event, put on by the Chicago Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD), showcases the latest state-of-the-art products and services for the disabled community.

Someone You Should Know: Shannon L., IPI Healthcare Recruiter

Community, General, Our People

One thing that makes Independence Plus, Inc. (IPI) unique is in the home health care field is that caring for our adult and pediatric patients is extremely challenging. Nurses hired at IPI are immersed in a hands-on training and education program designed to prepare them to provide the best possible care for patients with complex medical and respiratory needs living at home. IPI is always searching for great RNs and LPNs who want to join our team, and at the forefront of that effort is our new Healthcare Recruiter, Shannon L. Although she has only been on the job for a few days, Shannon has hit the ground running and will soon be attending career fairs, hosting college information sessions, and networking to help bring IPI the VERY best nurses who want to learn ICU skills while working in the home.

Grow With Us