Helping a client find success with VNA’s Shelter Nursing services
Visiting Nurse Association’s (VNA’s) Shelter Nursing services ensure individuals have access to healthcare, social services and community resources to meet their individual needs. This is Dawn’s story.
Lesa, a VNA shelter nurse, first met Dawn at the Siena Francis House homeless shelter in 2017. After hospitalization in Lincoln, Dawn arrived at the shelter by a hospital cab. Through a considerable amount of phone calls and coordination of information, Lesa obtained medication for Dawn and established care with a primary care physician (PCP).
As a result, Dawn found she could better stabilize her mental and physical health needs. After that, she was offered permanent housing in the Stephen Center apartments. Because of VNA and Stephen Center’s case management, Dawn has remained stable for the past four years.
“It’s been great having Lesa as my VNA nurse all these years. In the beginning, she helped me get stable and get all of my facts together,” Dawn said. “Now, she is there if I have any questions or need help with anything. She’s like family.”
Now, Dawn takes her medication as prescribed and keeps her doctor appointments. She also does restorative yoga and graduated from physical therapy. Lesa and Dawn communicate weekly on her progress and needs.
“Dawn is a true success story,” Lesa said. “She had some very difficult trials in the beginning, and it has been a long journey, but she’s gone from homeless to housed, from poor health to healthy and active in four short years. It has been a joy to help her succeed.”
VNA’s Shelter Nursing Services
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