As a new nurse, Kelly too often felt overwhelmed and on her own. She began to question whether nursing was the right path for her. Then she found home care. At Aveanna, Kelly discovered the support, training, and sense of purpose she had been searching for all along. Today as a National Clinical Educator, she uses her experiences and expertise to give other nurses the guidance and encouragement she needed and to dispel myths about home care.
What drew you to the nursing profession?
My father was a physician, my mother was a nurse, and my sister is a nurse. I wanted to be a physician when I was a child and as a young adult, but I got married to a member of the military and was more motivated to be a great Army wife. When I finally decided I needed a change for myself and my children, I felt that medical school was too great an investment of time to be prudent. So, I went to nursing school as a single mom of four! I loved everything about medicine and wanted to be part of that world as well as being able to provide for my children.
What were your early nursing experiences like?
In my early nursing days, I believed that the phrase "nurses eat their young" was probably true. I was struggling to keep up with no help and no support. I think I cried every day for about five months straight! When I found home care, everything changed. I had so many misconceptions about home care when I first became a nurse, but after giving it a chance I learned that it is a nursing path filled with compassion and purpose.
What are some misconceptions about home care that you had or that you think other nurses might have?
I thought I wouldn't have opportunities to learn and use clinical skills. That couldn't be further from the truth! As an Aveanna Private Duty Nurse, I learned more than I ever had before. Home care is work worth doing. We are responsible for caring for not only the patient but also the spirit of "home." We allow families to be together, joyful, and thriving.
I had also previously thought that home care meant you were on your own. I didn't know that Aveanna had a whole support system for their nurses in the field. I'm honored now to be a National Clinical Educator and to be part of that support system for other nurses.
How did you become a National Clinical Educator?
I've been with Aveanna for just over seven years. I've been with the National Clinical Education department for two and a half of those years. When I saw the listing for the NCE position, I remembered seeing Jacqueline Holland on the Care Huddle call every month and decided to give it a shot. I didn't intend to change positions but thought it might be something I would be good at. Jacque has a great story about how she actually watched my face on those calls and was hoping I would apply! I would give anything to be able to tell my mom that story! She passed away in 2021, but she would have been so proud.
What does being a National Clinical Educator mean to you?
Being a National Clinical Educator means that I am not only able to affect things at a local level, but that I also have a responsibility to maintain a proper standard of education throughout our company throughout the United States. I am part of a group that, with different backgrounds and different educational focuses, has come together with the understanding and knowledge that education does more than teach people how to do something. It gives them the tools to use critical thinking to rationalize through problems and find solutions and, when necessary, the links to reach out for help!
What unique benefits does Aveanna's National Clinical Education program provide for our nurses and our patients?
Our nurses have access to truly remarkable educational courses. In our skilled nursing orientation, they learn all of the basics of our care and standards. In our tracheostomy and vent courses, they learn best practices, careful consideration for the patient, and emergency procedures. They get the best foundational knowledge we can possibly provide so that when they go into the home they have confidence in their skills and feel prepared.
Of course, equipping our nurses in this way is a direct benefit to our patients. We provide great knowledge, understanding of emergency procedures and how to care for the patients. And it's about caring for the patients not only physically, but also their soul, their personality, everything about them. It's all inclusive. We want our nurses to love their jobs, love working with their patients, and love the care they provide. We want them to know that they have found the best at Aveanna.
What have you found at Aveanna?
I've found so much at Aveanna! Acceptance, accountability, a team, a home, a family... Aveanna is all those things to me.
If you are a nurse looking for support, compassion, and purpose, come find your home at Aveanna! Explore our job opportunities and the possibilities waiting for you today!