To celebrate and honor the HealthStar Home Health nurses and nurses’ week, we reached out to our wonderful staff working within the diverse communities in Minnesota and asked them some questions about their career choice, memorable experiences and advice they would give to someone thinking of entering the home health care nursing field. Here are some of the responses:
Amber, Minneapolis North Office
What made you decide to become a nurse?
“I decided to become a nurse because it provided the opportunity to become a type of “missionary” to those who are at a place in life that they need a helping hand, someone to provide encouragement, support and show them love. Some missionaries travel the world, others of us work in our own backyards.”
What is your most memorable experience/patient/moment working as a nurse?
“My favorite memory as a nurse with HealthStar Home Health was from years ago. I was up north visiting a client who lived near Cass Lake. She had a hobby of feeding hummingbirds. We sat out on her deck in the early morning summer sun and chatted over tea surrounded by nearly 300 beautiful hummingbirds. It was amazing. There are so many fun, unique and lovely people out there!”
What made you want to work as a nurse at HealthStar Home Health? Why do you like working at HealthStar?
“I love working at HealthStar because I am able to build long lasting, close relationships with my clients. They become like family. I love visiting them and they love it when I stop by. To me, it is wonderful because I am given the freedom to go beyond simply providing medical care, but also providing the compassion, friendship, love and support so many clients need. It is very fulfilling work.”
If you could give advice to someone who is thinking about becoming a nurse, or is currently in school, what would you say?
“In the field of nursing you have the opportunity to touch peoples lives in so many ways. It is a beautiful field to work in. Find the area in nursing you love and then give it your all.”
Barb, Corporate Office
What made you decide to become a nurse?
“To teach and help people.”
What is your most memorable experience/patient/moment working as a nurse?
“Working in a memory care unit on and off for a year, I cared for a resident with advanced Alzheimer’s disease. She needed total care and rarely remembered her family or recognized staff. Every time I worked, I would sit down next to her, and hold her hand. She would become very calm but otherwise did not respond to me. Towards the end of my tenure at the facility, I walked into the memory care unit and this resident was agitated and being very loud. As I walked by her, she looked up and said “I like you, you are nice to me”. I walked up to her and gave her a hug. She honored me with the biggest smile I will never forget.”
What made you want to work as a nurse at HealthStar Home Health? Why do you like working at HealthStar?
“Working at HealthStar offers clinicians an opportunity to combine their skills and experience to serve clients who need our help the most. It is the most rewarding experience to make a difference in the lives of clients who have limited resources and support, and are able stay in their homes and communities.”
If you could give advice to someone who is thinking about becoming a nurse, or is currently in school, what would you say?
“No other profession gives someone the flexibility and wide variety of career paths that the profession of nursing offers. A person can work part time, full time or on a very casual basis depending on what “fits” their needs at different points in their life (ex: single, married with children, empty-nester). The almost limitless different career paths that is open to a nurse is incredible. It runs the gamut from highly technical and hands on to administration and finally performing research at a top level university. A nurse can work in a hospital setting which offers a variety of specialties and skill level, ie: ICU, maternal child, pediatrics, surgery). There is options in outpatient settings such as clinics and surgical centers. The post-acute setting, ie: skilled nursing home, home health and hospice is bursting with opportunities for a nurse to explore. Becoming a nurse means you have limitless options to explore and define “who” you want to be.”
Debra, Duluth Office
What made you decide to become a nurse?
“I wanted to be a nurse from a very young age but couldn’t stand the site of needles. Then my husband went through chemo and I decided I could do that, enrolled and completed my RN training and never looked back. I wouldn’t want to do anything else!”
What is your most memorable experience/patient/moment working as a nurse?
“My most memorable time as a nurse is when I worked in hospice care. There is no more rewarding experience then helping loved ones go home to complete their final journey. Keeping them and their family comfortable and helping through the most difficult time in their lives.”
What made you want to work as a nurse at HealthStar Home Health? Why do you like working at HealthStar?
“I love working for HealthStar Home Health because it is a wonderful, caring company that cares for clients, families and their staff. I had retired and my husband and I traveled in the winter. Unfortunately, he passed away last year and when this job came available to me it was the perfect fit. I love working at HealthStar and all the staff here.”
If you could give advice to someone who is thinking about becoming a nurse, or is currently in school, what would you say?
“Nursing is a very rewarding job and career. You help people when they are at their sickest and bad time in their lives. Helping them to feel better is the best feeling in the world. The world will always need nurses. If you are in school, please finish and begin making your imprint on the world.”
Lisa, Minneapolis South Office
What made you decide to become a nurse?
“I started out as a home health aide/certified nursing assistant and when I was in my early 20’s and it was the first job that I ever felt like I made a difference in someone’s life. It inspired me to go on and get my LPN and RN.”
What is your most memorable experience/patient/moment working as a nurse?
“Any time we have a hand in healing a wound is my favorite part of this job!”
What made you want to work as a nurse at HealthStar Home Health? Why do you like working at HealthStar?
“I was looking to relocate back home to MN and after speaking with Shannon about the values and beliefs, I was sold on this company.”
If you could give advice to someone who is thinking about becoming a nurse, or is currently in school, what would you say?
“I would tell them I think they need to work for at least a year in a hospital setting either on Med-Surg or ER to gain knowledge and triage skills. It will help to give them an idea of where do they want to focus their career.”
Dana, Fairmont Office
If you could give advice to someone who is thinking about becoming a nurse, or is currently in school, what would you say?
“The advice I would give a newer nurse would be to remember how it felt when you were brand new to the profession or new to a job: remember what it felt like to be learning something new; then when your career is maturing and you are being asked to orient or mentor a new nurse, you can show empathy and will be better able to foster a spirit that will desire to be a life-long learner. Not all nurses are good teachers. There is a saying in nursing that the older nurses “eat their young.” I will start my 31st year as an RN this summer: I remember the nurses who helped me learn the best and the nurses who made me cry. The young nurses are the future of nursing: we should encourage them to be the BEST they can be: competent, compassionate, and curious. Nurses are called to be advocates for patients/clients/residents in a confusing and often stressful healthcare system.”
Sarah G, Bemidji Office
What made you decide to become a nurse?
“I wanted to help people and make a difference in their quality of life. I had been working as a direct care professional in a group home and knew that I wanted to be able to do more. I went for my CNA certificate, on to my LPN and eventually got my RN which gave me perspective and respect for each of those positions and the challenges within them.”
What is your most memorable experience/patient/moment working as a nurse?
“Connecting with an individual who was a paranoid schizophrenic and being able to find alternative methods to help him cope with his illness and allowing him to eventually move out of the facility and into a step down facility. He had been institutionalized for several years prior to meeting me. I took the time to get to know him and his triggers and evaluate the interactions of those around him and offered education to the staff on how to de-escalate the situation and assist him to calm himself. He was so grateful when he moved out of the facility and it felt good to know that I helped him achieve that goal.”
What made you want to work as a nurse at HealthStar Home Health? Why do you like working at HealthStar?
“Tim made me want to work at HealthStar, his passion and drive made an impact on me and knowing the community I live in, I saw the need to help serve the underserved. I like working at HealthStar Home Health because it allows me to do what I do best and challenges me to do more. I feel like I make a difference in our client’s lives, even if it is not directly, by ensuring we are staying compliant and providing the best care possible. I feel supported and valued and part of a team.”
If you could give advice to someone who is thinking about becoming a nurse, or is currently in school, what would you say?
“Do it! It’s the best decision I ever made. It may be difficult, but the end result is worth it.”
Do you care for others, understand the unique needs of different cultures and have a passion for health and wellness? If so, we want you to be a part of the HealthStar Home Health team! HealthStar offers employment opportunities in the Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota area, as well as in northern Minnesota such as Duluth and Bemidji, Arizona and New Mexico. Our company is a group of professionals driven by our mission, and personal, community, and cultural values. Visit the Contact Us page of our website to find current open positions as well as an application for employment you can complete and submit online.