Independence Plus Blog
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
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.
Grow With Us
We’re expanding our services and offerings. We want you to be a part of the team that is delivering personalized, individual, people-focused skilled home healthcare to those in need. Come join us.