National Nurses Month in Delaware County, PA

Thank you to all the amazing nurses who work so hard to support our community every day.

Why Is Nursing So Significant?

Florence Nightingale was a nurse and leader who wrote about health-related issues, created one of the first versions of the pie chart, and improved the cleanliness and safety of hospitals. Born on May 12, 1820, she grew up in England and knew she wanted to help the poor and sick since she was a teenager.  She studied in Germany and France and was crucial in caring for injured soldiers at the beginning of the Crimean War in 1854.

After returning from the war, Florence met with Queen Victoria and Prince Albert to discuss the conditions of hospitals. Her experiences and data were so important that the Royal Commission was created to help improve the health of soldiers. She continued to advocate for safe nursing practices until the very end of her life.

Now, we celebrate National Nurses Month each May to honor Florence Nightingale and all the amazing nurses who have come since. Keep reading to learn more about what nursing is and how it differs from in-home care.

What Is Nursing?

The American Nurses Association defines nursing as the art and science of caring. By protecting, promoting, and optimizing health and functioning, nursing aims to prevent injuries, facilitate healing, and alleviate suffering. Nursing is constantly evolving and is a crucial part of the entire patient experience. There are three categories of nursing roles:

• Registered Nurses (RNs): RNs perform physical exams, provide counseling and education, administer medications, and so much more. They help to coordinate care with other health professionals.
• Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs): APRNs have the same initial education and licensing as RNs, but also have a master’s degree or higher. They can prescribe medication and diagnose illnesses and injuries. Some work in gynecology, obstetrics, or are anesthesiologists.
• Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs): LPNs are also known as Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs). They work under RNs, APRNs, and medical doctors (MDs), helping patients with basic and routine tasks throughout their entire care journeys.

How Is Nursing Different Than Home Care?

Nurses and other medical professionals, like therapists, are licensed and referred to as “skilled.” Skilled care performed by these professionals may include medication management, injection administration, pain management, wound care, and more. All these services fall under a category called “home health.” It’s important to note that home health and home care are two separate services.  

Home care is drastically different than home health; home care is non-medical care performed by Caregivers, Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), and/or Home Health Aides (HHAs). Both home care and home health aim to help people live comfortably where they love to be.

Where Can I Find Nursing Resources?

Here are some resources to help you identify nursing resources in the area:

• The Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Nursing Care Facility Locator is available for free online to help you identify nursing homes across the state of PA and in Delaware County. You can review details like the licensure status, size, and payment options for nearby facilities.
• Trinity Health and Mercy LIFE Pennsylvania created the PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) LIFE Program. They provide services like primary medical care, nutrition planning, and transportation at their adult day centers. Seniors can enroll in their care model and get connected to doctors, social workers, nurses, therapists, and more.

Where Can I Find Non-Medical Support?

At Griswold, we provide non-medical in-home care to those living in and around Delaware County. Your Griswold Caregiver can support you through personal care, companionship, and homemaking, as well as other services like hospice support, respite care, and 24-hour home care. Give us a call to learn more today!