Caring Career Spotlight: Jessica, LPN

When Jessica began her nursing career nearly two decades ago, she worked in a small community hospital where patient care looked a little different.

“It was old school,” she said. “It was slower paced, but still very respected by the community. It still had more of the one-on-one care and wasn’t so rushed.”

When the hospital closed its doors, Jessica found herself searching for a new path. She discovered skilled home health, where she could continue providing the personal, relationship-focused care that first inspired her to become a nurse.

Now, after 18 years in home care, Jessica still believes there’s no better place to care for patients.

“I have always been a field nurse,” she said. “Every time I think about trying something new, I realize how much I would miss being in the field. I would miss the interactions that I have with patients. Just by having these interactions, I continue to learn something new every day.”

As a licensed practical nurse (LPN) with Elara Caring, Jessica visits patients in their homes, helping them recover from illness or surgery, manage chronic conditions and stay safely independent where they are most comfortable. She provides skilled nursing care while also educating patients and families so they feel confident managing their health between visits.

For Jessica, though, nursing has always been about much more than clinical care.

“What I do in home health is not all about medical,” she said. “It is also about family. When a patient shares something about their life, whether it is good or bad, sometimes they need a sounding board, and that’s what I can be for them, too.”

Over the years, those conversations and connections have become one of the most rewarding parts of her career. Patients often remember the compassion she brings into their homes just as much as the care she provides.

“I do love it when my patients come back to Elara Caring and ask for me specifically,” she said. “That makes me feel like I have done my job right.”

Jessica approaches every visit with the same philosophy that first drew her to nursing: treat people with compassion.

“Home health is about education, but it is also about kindness, caring and respect,” she said. “These things are what people are looking for.”