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. “Her attitude and enthusiasm for the patients makes her a wonderful nurse, and those same qualities made her the perfect fit for our clinical team,” said Brittany R., RN, IPI Home Nursing Residency Manager. We talked with Anna to learn why she chose to work in home nursing, the advice she has for new nurse graduates, and who inspires her!
Q: Why did you become a nurse?
A: During my high school and college years I was a caregiver and took care of multiple people. They would tell me that I was their angel. I just love to take care of people.
Q: Why did you choose to work in Home Nursing?
A: I was a caregiver my whole life. I love this type of nursing and I want to continue doing it.
Q: Tell us a little about your experience joining IPI.
A: I first joined IPI as part of the Home Nursing Residency program. I was looking for work and had trouble finding it. Then my college friend that works for IPI called me and told me that IPI was hiring new grads. I jumped at the opportunity right away and started as a Nurse Resident. I worked nights for a year and then days for another year. I told myself that I would only be with IPI for a year to get my experience and then I would apply at a hospital. However, two and a half years later I am still here, enjoying my work every day. I love to see my patients and their progress, and to be part of their lives, being their personal angel.
Q: What is your favorite thing so far about your position as a Home Nursing Clinical Manager?
A: I’m able to coordinate care for patients that I worked with in the field.
Q: What is something about your job that would surprise us?
A: That I am busy all of the time! I’m in the office and I don’t just sit at my desk. I’m out in the field and I’m constantly calling doctors and working after hours to answer calls and texts. People would be shocked to know how complex this job is. I am surprised myself!
Q: Who inspires you at work?
A: My patients. Some of them are bedridden and can’t even scratch their forehead if they wanted to. I enjoy doing anything I can for them. Whenever I have a bad day I think about them and that gives me energy and strength to try harder, to not give up.
Q: Who inspires you outside of work?
A: My mother, or madre in Spanish. She’s been a caregiver her whole life and that’s where I get my “angel” from. Her patients call her “Dr. Helen.” I believe she “cures” people’s spirits. She has a very special relationship with God and there is nothing she cannot do. She only has an elementary education because her family was very poor and she had to work. But when she was 15 years-old she was delivering calves and taking care of her five siblings and the whole farm because her parents were working out of the country. At age 50 she went back to school and learned English. She is definitely my inspiration.
Q: What are you most proud of?
A: I was the first one in my family to graduate from college.
Q: What are you planning to do next?
A: Advance my career and maybe one day become a nurse practitioner, or who knows, maybe an MD!
Q: What words do you live by?
A: It is what it is. Just do it.
Q: What advice do you have for new nurse graduates?
A: Be patient and listen to your patients. Nursing is not a career to choose to just get a paycheck. If you don’t love your job, don’t bother. Find something else you can be passionate about.