Melissa Wright is an RN with vast home health experience. She consistently shows her commitment to excellence in the way she operates as a home health nurse. Melissa takes her role as a case manager and advocate seriously, going above and beyond to collaborate and coordinate to ensure her patients receive the most appropriate and effective care possible. Melissa reaches out to providers, family members, and team members to discuss concerns and make recommendations for care. Recently, Melissa was called out for recognizing that a patient was hospice appropriate after multiple ED visits. The patient had metastatic CA and upon assessing the patient, Melissa immediately contacted the provider to discuss her concerns about the patient’s symptoms. The provider agreed to discuss hospice with the patient who ended up being admitted to hospice. Melissa documented a very sensitive and caring conversation with the patient and spouse about the consideration of hospice and the support they could receive. Melissa’s skills and compassion are exemplified in the way she has realistic conversations with patients and families about goals of care and then aligning those with an appropriate plan of care.

Recently, Melissa used her extensive wound knowledge with a patient who had chronic vascular wounds and was at risk of losing her limb. The patient felt strongly about avoiding this if possible, so Melissa coordinated with the wound nurse and the provider to alter the wound care to better align with the patient’s goals. She also requested and obtained a referral to palliative care for the patient.

Melissa holds herself to the highest of standards as a home health clinician. She is confident in her judgment and doesn’t hesitate to do what needs to be done to help her patients. Through her work as a home health nurse, Melissa is making a difference in her community.