On the the success of our Melbourne Nursing services growth we are pleased to say that our exceptional Nursing care is now being offered in Geelong and surrounding suburbs.
Have peace of mind knowing we have carefully selected our Nursing team to ensure that our standards will continue for you and the people you care for.
Our Nursing appointments are minimum 30 mins (where appropriate) which differ from others in the area.
To ensure we have all the information needed, every new client will have an initial assessment.
Our Empower Nurses spend their days visiting clients in their homes and delivering gold standard care and services.
Join Registered Nurse Briony for her day in the community.
7.30am:
I have a full schedule today, so I open my iPad and read through my clients notes, referrals and other documentation via the client management system. Planning my day helps me be prepared for each client. I check that I have all the equipment and consumables needed and then I am out the door.
8am:
Luckily my first appointment takes me past my favourite café and I grab a coffee.
8.30am:
My first client likes me to be early to help her change her catheter and for medication management so that she can get on with her day. Good catheter care is essential to prevent infections and improve the quality of life for clients. We chat while I work. Getting to know my clients and talking to them is one of the favourite parts of my job. Once I’m finished, I make sure she has the supplies and advice needed until I next visit which I confirm with her and book it in.
9.30am:
My second appointment is a regular client who has slow healing wounds. I have been visiting her for some time now, and we have made some great progress. All Empower nurses undergo extensive training and professional development in wound management, so I am equipped with the latest knowledge and dressings to improve healing for my client.
11.00am:
I arrive in a Bayside suburb with time to spare so I find a car park overlooking the bay and catch up on my notes and follow up emails on my iPad before heading to my next client. On assessment, I realise he isn’t doing well and we have the difficult discussion that it may be best to head to hospital to get further investigations done. He hates going to hospital, but agrees he needs to go. This client lives alone, and doesn’t have anyone who can drive him, so I organise non-emergency patient transport. I spend the time to call his next of kin, his GP and his case manager who are all supportive of him going in. I don’t want to leave him while we wait for transport as he is anxious about going to hospital. I liaise with his Case Manager who is also supportive and organises for his normal support worker to head over and wait with him.
12.30:
Lunch time and I pop into head office to pick up some consumables and complete some CPD training at one of the desks. I catch up with colleagues and have a conversation with my manager about a client management challenge I have been having.
2.00pm:
It’s a short drive to my next appointment who is booked for an initial assessment. This involves getting to know the client and completing a comprehensive overall nursing assessment. Sometimes new clients need referrals for allied health services or additional supports. We have a longer session than usual but I know spending the extra time is what he needs to ensure that he keeps receiving the care that ensures his quality of life and independence.
4.00pm:
I arrive home to complete all today’s documentation, send emails to my clients’ care and case managers and organise any follow up tasks.
Tomorrow I will be seeing different people with different needs – no two days are the same. I love the flexibility and variety of being an Empower Nurse. It also helps being backed by experienced nurse managers, a friendly Home Care Support Team and being equipped with all the technology, knowledge, and equipment to deliver the care needed.
Empower Nurses are on the road every day, delivering great care and outcomes.
How Empower Nurses and Dietitians can help with Ostomy management
Nurses and Ostomy Care
While many people with a stoma or ostomy can independently care for themselves, there are times when some extra help is required. This may be when adjusting to living with an ostomy, when experiencing illness or when managing additional health conditions or disability. Empower nurses provide general ostomy management and support for people who need it. They are fully equipped for ostomy care and carry emergency kits.
As part of delivering high quality nursing services, our Nurses provide:
• Ostomy bag changes
• Assessment of stoma and skin health
• General assessment of health, including monitoring for digestive problems
• Referral to Stomal Therapists if complex care is required.
Dietitians and Ostomy Care
It is possible for people with an ostomy to eat a full and satisfying range of foods. In fact, eating real food after surgery can help the digestive system to begin functioning again. However, learning what foods are easiest to digest, how a person’s body is responding to certain foods and how to maintain good nutrition following surgery can require the input of a Dietitian.
Dietitians can help people:
• Manage low appetite following surgery
• Ensure adequate nutrition and energy levels
• Develop meal plans that are enjoyable and nutritious
• Make dietary adjustments when necessary
• Monitor dietary intake, digestive health and stoma output
• Manage additional health conditions, like diabetes and hypertension
• Choose and use supplementation appropriately.
For in-home, professional care while recovering from surgery, living with a chronic condition or when managing life’s unexpected health challenges, let Empower take care of your health needs.
Click to read more about our Nursing and Dietetic Services
Trish is a Registered Nurse with 10 years’ experience working in Aged Care, Home Care and NDIS. She has also worked in a nurse run bush hospital, an experience that informs much of her approach to patient care.
Can you describe your role with Empower?
As Clinical Manager I am responsible for ensuring all Empower nurses are supported in their clinical work. I make sure our nurses can provide care that surpasses industry standards through education and professional development. I also provide hands on clinical support for clients in their homes.
What makes you well suited to this role?
I love to solve problems- for clients, clinicians, and providers. The nature of my job means that no two days are the same and I thrive on the challenge of adapting to ensure we meet the needs of all our clients.
What sets your team apart?
We provide catheter care for all 3 types of catheters but so much more than that- we deliver high quality preventative care that bridges the gaps in the healthcare system and helps our clients avoid hospitalisation by meeting their needs at home.
What matters most to you and the Empower nursing team?
We want all our clients to be healthy, happy, and healing.
What motivates you at work?
I enjoy my job and I make sure that the nurses I support enjoy theirs- happy nurses provide the best care.
What would surprise people about what you do?
I don’t think people realise the scope of community nursing practice, we provide complex care for complex conditions, and we do it in a way that best suits the needs of our clients.
What is the best feedback you have received from a client recently?
As I was leaving their home a client said,
“I always feel better after you have visited.” That is my goal with every home visit.
Is there a motto that you apply to your work?
“Never stop learning”
Simply click on the image below for our referral form.
