Independence Plus Blog
Our “Speechless” Life: Parenting a Son with Cerebral Palsy
The arrival of ABC’s new sitcom “Speechless” has opened the door for conversations with families like ours who have a special needs child. We’ve found it may be hard for family and friends who want to stay updated on our son’s progress, but may not fully understand the nuances of his routines and therapies. That’s why we sent them notes entitled “Everything you wanted to know about Jackson but were afraid to ask” in hopes this would encourage more people to engage, ask questions, and be an active part of his journey.
IPI Nurses on what they have learned from caring for patients in the home
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
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
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
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.
Celebrating IPI’s ONE TEAM!
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
At Independence Plus, Inc. (IPI), our nurses provide our patients more than just the physician-ordered medications and treatments required so they can safely live at home. Here’s one example when our nurses spontaneously stepped up to do more. Recently, after hearing...
Someone You Should Know: Bronwyn C., BSN, RN, IPI Clinical Transition Manager
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.
‘IPI Connect’ – Part of our unwavering commitment to ongoing education and training
‘IPI Connect’ started with a goal to build a professional network for Independence Plus, Inc.’s (IPI) clinicians. Three years ago, the idea was to hold quarterly meetings to offer open discussions on topics and concerns our Home Nursing clinicians wanted and needed to know in order to stay up-to-date. Our meetings were such a success that they are now held monthly, giving our nurses more opportunities to take part in one aspect of IPI’s unwavering commitment to ongoing education and training. We encourage our staff to participate in as many IPI Connect events as possible and we are interested in ideas for future topics. If you have an idea, leave it in the comments section below!
Someone You Should Know: Zandra, RN, BSN, IPI’s Home Nursing Residency Manager
Many of Independence Plus, Inc.’s patients and staff know Zandra, RN, BSN, as a great nurse with a positive attitude and a calming bedside manner, focused on learning as much as she can in order to best care for her patients. After working with her and hearing everyone else’s feedback on who Zandra is and what she does, we decided to interview and then hire her as our new Home Nursing Residency Manager.
What Sets IPI Apart
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
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
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.
Someone You Should Know: Anna R., RN, IPI Clinical Manager
Two and a half years ago, Anna R., RN, was seeking a job that fit her love of caring for patients in the home setting. She was introduced to Independence Plus, Inc.’s (IPI) Home Nursing Residency program by a friend, and from there her sparkling personality and outstanding bedside manner made her a quick favorite of our patients. Now, after making the transition to IPI’s Home Nursing Clinical Management Team, Anna continues to care for her patients – many of whom she worked with in the field – from the office.
An exciting employment opportunity for new graduate nurses!
If you are an RN or LPN with less than one year of experience and are available to begin work on August 1st, check out a unique employment opportunity Independence Plus, Inc. (IPI) is offering. For nearly 30 years, IPI has been providing people with complex medical...
Five ‘Must-Have Resources’ as a Nurse
Three of the primary qualities I’m finding that are necessary to make it as a private duty nurse at Independence Plus, Inc. (IPI) are: undeniable passion, inherent confidence, and a science-enthusiast mentality. The first quality is a no-brainer. Being passionate about advocacy, relationship-building, and ensuring that people receive the best care will only grow as we develop as nurses. The last two will be a constant learning experience as healthcare continues to evolve. As a nurse it is essential to know the science behind disease processes, clinical skills, and interventions. It is this foundation that influences patient outcomes and our confidence when providing life-saving care.
Someone You Should Know: Karolina W., RN, IPI Clinical Manager
IPI’s Director of Nursing Services Nancy Tafoya was conducting a clinical supervisory visit in the field with a patient when she recalls a new Primary Care Physician asking her, “What part of heaven did you get this nurse from?” The doctor was referring to Karolina W., RN, who at that point had spent more than four years as a field nurse caring for IPI’s most medically complex adult and pediatric patients. “I commented that Karolina is one of the best field nurses we have,” Tafoya said. “At the end of the visit I asked her if she would consider interviewing for a Clinical Manager position.” Shortly thereafter Karolina joined the IPI Home Nursing Clinical Management Team, and just a few months into the job her colleagues say she has been an outstanding addition who brings a positive and straightforward attitude to her interactions with patients and nurses. We sat down with Karolina earlier this week to find out more about why she became a nurse and how she is enjoying her new role.
“Once I emerged from the depths of futility, I viewed my diagnosis as an opportunity to spread awareness.”
Three years ago Eric Von Schaumburg was at that sweet spot in life. He was 29 years-old with an amazing job, a wonderful girlfriend, and a future as bright as one could hope for. Then in early summer of 2013 he received the shocking news that he has ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Faced with a devastating progressive neurodegenerative disease that has little treatment option and no cure, the Chicago man says he spent a short amount of time coming to terms with the battle ahead of him, and then quickly turned his focus to doing whatever he could to inspire others.