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All In A Day's Work: Home Healthcare Nurse

Tina Joseph, RN, a case manager with Integrated Home Care, part of the HealthPartners family of organizations, talks about her work.

By Nancy Crotti, Star Tribune Sales and Marketing

Last update: April 23, 2008 - 1:16 PM

Q: What's a typical workday like for you?

A: I do six to seven visits with patients in their homes in and around Minneapolis. Most of my patients are short-term, with new diagnoses, such as congestive heart failure or diabetes. I teach them about their disease and how it will affect their lives. I set up medications for non-English-speaking patients. I see patients who are struggling with an old diagnosis and reinforce the teaching. I also see surgical patients, assess their pain and teach them how to use pain medication.

Q: How does your role fit into the bigger healthcare picture?

A: Our role is to work with physicians and other disciplines, such as occupational, physical and speech therapists, home health aides and social workers, to make sure our patients can be safe in their homes or in family members' homes and reach their full potential.

Q: Who do you interact with during the course of the day?

A: I interact with the physicians, nurses, speech, occupational and physical therapists, social workers, and with patients and their families.

Q: Why did you become a home healthcare nurse?

A: I've worked in the hospital and in pharmaceutical sales, but decided I like being able to see the patients get better. I also enjoy one-on-one time with my patients.

Q: What do you like about your work?

A: What I really like is assessing and teaching the patients about medication and their diseases, and how to navigate the healthcare system. I enjoy empowering them.

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