Profiles in Nursing
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Karen S.
Schenectady, NY
CHN, Home Health Care Nurse
I don’t remember the moment when I decided to become a nurse.
But, after my high school guidance counselor told me I was good
with people, I found myself in nursing school. After five years of
experience in a city hospital, working mainly in med/surg. and
orthopaedics, I knew I hadn’t found my niche. So, when a friend
recommended home health care to me, I decided to make a change. At what a change it was – a bit frightening at first! Ever since
graduating from college, specialization had been the emphasis. But
in home health care, I realized I had to be a generalist, knowing a
little about all areas of nursing: wound and ostomy care, IV
therapies, cardiac care, neurology, and urology, just to name a
few. And I felt alone in the field, relying on my own skills and
insights to assess and care for my patients in their homes. For
some, autonomy can be a crippling hurdle; but for me, it is
energizing, allowing me to apply all of my clinical skills as well
as my creativity and compassion to care for patients. Home care
experiences have helped me define my own priorities and values. And
I can devote my attention to one patient at a time and give the
amount of individualized care and education they and their families
need. In 1990, I found my niche, a challenging and rewarding place
where I can make a difference.
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Angela C.
I have always been interested in Psychiatric Nursing. I was the
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