Laurie Callan, ARNP, WOCN

Transcription

1 Laurie Callan, ARNP, WOCN

2 Practice setting and location: My primary job is at the Whiteside County- Community Healthcare Clinic, in Rockfalls, Il where I work as a family nurse practitioner. I really enjoy this job with all its diversity and challenges. For the past 2 years I have worked at Clinton-Mercy Medical Center, Wound Center. It s fun to spend a day just focusing on one problem- Wounds! And last I have a business- Laurie Callan, NP Services, where I offer consultation for WOC nursing services in the Clinton area for physicians and nursing homes.

3 Any personal information you would like to share: I am married to Mike who is an orthodontist and loves his job! I have 3 children; Kate is at Iowa State in a grad program for Industrial Design, Laura finished at Central College this spring and is now enrolled in a Culinary school in Phoenix, and Will is a sophomore at the Univ of Iowa with an interest in music, math, theatre. We have very artistic children; Mike and I couldn t convince any of them to go into health care! I like to sew, especially quilting. I also enjoy gardening. So, I have something to keep me busy year round!

4 How long have you been a nurse? I received my bachelors in nursing from Creighton University in 1986, A masters in adult health and nursing mgt from the Univ of Iowa in 1996, A masters as an advanced practice nurse in Family Practice from the Univ of Il. in I am on the 10 year advancement plan! It s time to start planning for 2016! Where did you go to WOC Nurse training? I attended the Minneapolis Web WOC program in 2004.

5 What has been your involvement in the Iowa WOCN Affiliate? I have served most with the Web Site committee. It has been fun learning about web page development and making our website useful for our membership.

6 What has been your involvement in the National WOCN Society? I served 7 years on the Continence committee, 4 as a member then chair for 2 years and past chair for one. I have served on several ad hoc committees related to continence care. It helps me stay up to date on continence care issues, these come up frequently in my FNP practice.

7 How do you feel you make a difference in your practice setting? I am so happy to be working at the wound center in my home town Clinton. It s nice to be able to provide this service locally since many people have difficulty traveling. I also feel I provide valuable WOC services at the healthcare clinic that my colleagues are unfamiliar with or uncomfortable with. They are happy to refer wounds and continence patients to me. Occasionally an ostomy patient comes in and I can update them on current pouching systems, they are always surprised what they don t know. I really enjoy continence care but feel so sympathetic toward people with ostomies, when the opportunity presents I like to help ostomates in any way I can. Wounds are always a challenge, but it is often about their chronic diseases not being controlled. I enjoy learning about new wound products and vascular interventions. I think it would be fun to work in R&D for wound care!

8 What advice would you give to a nurse who is interested in becoming a WOC Nurse? I think if a nurse has any interest in WOC issues they should invest the time and money to get the education, it s good to get the formal education and it is great to challenge yourself in a specialty area, not to mention the new group of friends you will make at our affiliate. I have never met a WOC nurse who said she was unhappy with her choice to become a WOC nurse.

9 What do you see as the biggest WOC Nurse health care challenge in the next 5 years? I think one of our biggest struggles is getting products for our patients; they are so expensive and often not covered by insurance. We need to get better insurance coverage for WOC products, as well as, reimbursement for the WOC nurse consult. Patients often cannot receive the level of care a WOC nurse is knowledgeable to provide in many rural areas; we need more hospitals and HHC agencies to invest in a WOC nurse position in order to reach more people.

10 What is your favorite WOC Nurse story? I am always humbled when a patient has to share their most intimate concerns (and body parts) when coming to me for care. They are so hopeful that I will be able to help them; they have often been through so much and with many other care providers. It is a big boost for me when we find a solution to their problem. I like solving problems, and improving peoples lives, and helping them learn to take care of themselves.