General

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.

Educating our nurses on cardiopulmonary dynamics and the principals and benefits of Percussive Ventilation

Education, General, Our People

Almost three years ago Independence Plus, Inc (IPI) began an education and training initiative known as ‘IPI Connect’. Administrative and field clinicians are invited to monthly IPI Connect meetings to help build a more connected professional network for our clinicians and offer open discussions on topics directly related to the care we are responsible for delivering to our medically complex, ventilator-dependent adult and pediatric patients. To allow more of our nurses to participate, we are providing a wrap-up of each topic via our blog.

Preserving Your Moneymaker: Nurse Edition

Education, General, Our People

A great friend of mine sent me a wonderful message attached with a photo titled “Anatomy of a Nurse.” It included “a mind that’s always assessing,” “warm heart,” “warped senses of humor,” “eyes that have seen it all.” It also included “aching back,” “empty stomach”, “full bladder,” “tired feet,” and “dry, chapped hands.” As I continued to read, although my friend was thoughtful with great intentions, the nurse in me said “wait a minute, that’s not a good anatomy.” It is not okay to be hungry, have back pain, nor a full bladder. We would not tell our patients that those things were “okay.” Most of us would use these as teaching opportunities and educate our patients on the risks and benefits, as well as alternatives to positive self-care. So why do we think it is acceptable for us?

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.

IPI Nurses on what they have learned from caring for patients in the home

Education, General, Our People

Each fall Independence Plus, Inc. (IPI) nurses and clinical educators come together over the course of six days to take part in our Annual Skills Competency Training. Annuals is an essential part of Independence Plus’ nursing education and training program, but it’s also a great opportunity to catch up with colleagues we don’t get to see as often as we would like! We take this time to remember why we all work so hard to provide the quality care and services our medically complex patients need and deserve, and this year we asked some of our nurses what they have learned from caring for patients in the home.

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.

Celebrating IPI’s ONE TEAM!

Events, General, Our People

Thank you to everyone who attended IPI’s Employee Appreciation BBQ, and to each of you could not make it, we hope to see you at another IPI event in the near future!

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.

Grow With Us