Visiting nurse project

[dsRN85, BSN, RN]

Hey everyone!

I am currently in an RN to BSN Program. This semester we are required to complete clinical time as a community nurse. I am following the VNA for the semester. In the class we are required to do a project on identifying a specific need in the community. So, something added that could benefit a VNA nurse when providing care, or a program or service that could benefit VNA patients. I have asked the nurses I am shadowing and even they can't think of any ideas. I suppose this is a good thing because their company is providing what patients need. But have any of you ever been/or are a VNA nurse and ever thought "oh if only we had this for the patient" or "if only we had this to help me care for this patient better"?? Any ideas would be much appreciated!

Dee

[paradiseboundRN]

These patients would benefit from a home psychologist/psychiatrist. The social workers are great but these homebound patients often have serious depression and other mental health disorders and the MSW cannot prescribe meds. The nurse can call the family doctor but they often feel uncomfortable ordering antidepressants for patients. Homebound patients should be able to have a psychologist/psychiatrist or even a psych NP visit or phone them 1-2x week until their mental health is improved.

[salvadordolly]

Agree wholeheartedly with paradisebound RN - need APN/NP to do home visits for psych/mental health!