I have always embraced nursing to inform who I am as a human, woman, friend, partner, community member, traveler. My 26-year career has been chock full of ups, downs, changes, early mornings, late nights, middle of nights and mornings, stress, joy, tears, compassion, and love. Love for my work as a healer.
I started this coaching and consulting business just prior to the world shutting down. It was 3 years ago today. A very scare time for all, most definitely for nurses and healthcare workers. My specialty in my hospital cardiac catheterization lab cancelled elective cases and layoffs were soon to follow. A dramatic shift from the ongoing nursing shortage. As I was reeling, both personally and professionally, with the realties of Covid, I received a call from a previous nurse manager/mentor I worked with while living in Los Angeles then Portland, OR. I had been a nurse, promoted to a nurse manager in residential facilities for the treatment of substance abuse and eating disorders in adults and adolescents. The call was a plea for help. The brick-and-mortar facilities were full and the pandemic was forcing all of the clients to return to their homes, all across the country, immediately! With this came the realization their care was going to come to an abrupt end, unless we acted quickly, and we did. She needed a nurse that was an experienced practitioner, leader, self-sufficient, innovator, and licensed to practice in all of the states the clients were returning to. Hang on, that's me! I got to work. In a matter of two weeks, I helped to establish a virtual Partial Hospitalization nursing program that would allow the clients to continue to receive treatment at home. The ability to provide effective, competent, and compassionate care virtually was unheard of. I also established an in-home private duty nursing practice. I have seen clients embark on their journey towards recovery while maintaining their professional and personal lives in the comfort of their own home. Of course, not without challenges, relapses, and very, very hard work.
I continue to perform in this virtual nursing role today. I have also returned to my hospital job, travel nursed, and have my wonderful health coaching, patient advocacy, and private duty clients. What a 3 years! Didn't see that coming!
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