Independence Plus Blog
Preserving Your Moneymaker: Nurse Edition
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!
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
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
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.
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.