When 9/11 unfolded, Kelly Hancock was in high school. Still, she felt compelled to help others, so she immediately joined a local rescue squad. Her natural desire to care for others inspired her to become an emergency medical technician (EMT) at the age of 16. “I worked on an ambulance crew the whole time I was in nursing school,” she explains. “I knew early on that I never wanted to do anything else but be a nurse.”
Once she completed her degree, Kelly Hancock, RN, BSN, CCRN, IgCN, began her 17-year nursing career in a hospital, a few years later transferring to the intensive care unit. “I fell in love with working in the ICU,” she admits.
Infusion nursing wasn’t on her radar until she spent some time caring for an aunt who was dealing with a chronic illness. “Her doctor prescribed home infusion therapy and she was treated by an AOM nurse,” she explains. “I didn’t know much about the world of home infusion until then. I never thought I’d be interested in home care, but infusion nursing is so different and there are so many types of infusions.”
It wasn’t long before Hancock joined AOM for per-diem infusion nursing assignments during her off time from the ICU. “I was able to balance both jobs and really enjoyed both roles,” she notes. “But a few years ago, AOM asked me to come on full-time, so I did.”
Although she still works in the ICU a few times a month, Hancock enjoys the flexibility and diversity of infusion nursing. “I like the ability to self-schedule my days. Every day looks different, and while that might be annoying to some people, I like it because I’m never doing the same thing. Even if I’m seeing some of the same patients, the days are scheduled differently. Some days I start my day at 5 am, while other days I start at 5 pm. It’s flexible. I can always schedule my patients so they can do the things they need to do—pick up their kids or whatever—and I can attend my children’s concerts and other school events.”
Building Deep Bonds with Patients
Unlike caring for patients in an ICU where a team of hospital caregivers work together and share responsibilities, walking into a patient’s home for the first time is a lot of responsibility for an infusion nurse.
“When you meet someone for the first time, they can be aggravated and frustrated and not feel well,” Hancock says. “Usually whatever is going on with them has been years in the making. They’ve had different diagnoses. They’ve seen different people. They’ve tried different therapies that have failed. It’s no surprise that they are frustrated and often depressed. Every patient with a chronic illness wants what we all want — to enjoy life.”
Hancock begins each new patient relationship by treading gently as she works carefully to earn their trust.
“I just try to ease my way in by getting to know them. Most importantly, I listen. Every patient is different, but I let them know we are a team.”
Hancock’s careful, nurturing approach has been well received. Many of her patients have been with her since she first began with AOM Infusion back in 2012.
“What I find most rewarding in my role as an infusion nurse is being a reliable person for my patients,” she reveals. “When you see the same people for years, you develop a relationship. Yes, I’m their nurse, but I’m also a constant reassurance in their life. They know I’m trustworthy.
“I listen to them when they feel like no one else is. I help them navigate the health care system, answer questions and solve problems. And if I can’t answer a question or solve a problem, I point them in the right direction. I’m one of the few providers who does not change for them over the years, and I help them with so many other aspects of their needs other than just infusions.”
Empowering a Richer Quality of Life
Hancock is honored to help her patients regain greater agency over their illness.
“Patients who have had multiple sclerosis for 30 years are still living fairly normal lives. I have an MS patient who goes skiing with his kids and is their baseball coach and no one would even know he has a neurological disease”
Hancock credits a more robust offering of medications, cutting-edge research and drug development over the past decade.
“When I work in the hospital, I realize so many patients don’t know about these infusion therapies and the difference they can make. They don’t realize so many people with chronic illnesses aren’t lying in bed all day. They are living at home with their families. They’re able to work and have a better quality of life.”
Helping Patients Reach a Better Place
For the next generation of nurses, Hancock realizes infusion nursing can seem like a lot to take in. “If you’re new to this, it takes a lot of adjusting,” she adds.
Fortunately, AOM team is supportive and only a phone call away 24/7 should their infusion nurses need help while out in the field. AOM leadership instills confidence and expertise by supporting its nurses in their pursuit of advanced nursing certifications.
Recently, Hancock took advantage of their unconditional support. “AOM sent me to the Immunoglobulin National Society annual conference last October and covered all my expenses so I could achieve my Immunoglobulin Certified Nurse (IgCN) credential.”
For AOM, investing in certifications is a sign of respect and caring for their nurses — an understanding that their frontline care givers gather invaluable knowledge that is literally life changing.
For Hancock, the IgCN badge of excellence is another testament to her lifelong personal mission to help others. It’s a mission that began when she was just a high schooler and continues to this day in her role as an AOM infusion nurse.
“It feels good that I can actually do something to improve somebody’s quality of life,” she smiles.
Infuse your nursing career with passion, purpose and opportunities. Make a difference at AOM Infusion. We’re looking for compassionate, talented nurses to join our team. We have rewarding positions open across the U.S. Visit our careers page: https://aominfusionrx.com/careers/.
