Position Spotlight: Acute Care Registered Nurse
Shelby grew up in Utah and graduated from nursing school at Utah Tech University in 2017. She has worked in many different areas of the hospital system at Contessa partner Dignity Health, including Acute Cardiovascular Care, ICU, Ambulatory Care and now Home Recovery Care. She has lived in Arizona for almost three years and will be attending Grand Canyon University this fall to begin her graduate studies to become a Nurse Practitioner. Shelby has two dogs and loves to travel and spend time with her family in Utah. She’s a big Taylor Swift fan and will never say no to a trip to the beach.
What does an Acute Care RN (ACRN) do at Contessa?
As an ACRN, I travel to patients’ homes to provide direct patient care, education and care coordination in collaboration with the Home Recovery Care team. We help to transition patients from the hospital to their home for continuation of their hospitalization and collaborate with the physicians using telehealth platforms to provide the same level of care the patients receive in the hospital, but from the comfort of their home.
Why did you choose a career in nursing? Specifically, this career?
I love to help people and I love to learn. Although nursing can be difficult at times, it is a very rewarding career that has taught me a lot about myself. The Home Recovery Care program is an innovative design that I believe will help change the healthcare system for the better, and I am proud to be a part of such an amazing program.
How does the work you do at Contessa differ from other jobs?
Contessa has changed the way I view my job and helped me find a healthy work-life balance, which has given me confidence and flexibility to further my education. As an ACRN, you have a lot of autonomy, but also a lot of responsibility. As an experienced nurse, I feel engaged in the work that I do, and I know that my team values me and my contributions to our patients.
What is the best part of your job?
I love that I never feel like I have to rush. I get to spend quality time with my patients and give them the attention and empathy they deserve.
What’s the most challenging part of your job?
Learning how to care for acute patients in the home setting is a bit of a learning curve, but there are many resources available for the patients and the nurses.
What inspires you to come to work every day?
Our patients are happy to see us and happy to be home. In general, I feel like our patients are more motivated and more involved in their care, which ultimately leads to increased participation in care and improved outcomes.