Tag Archives: #NurseConsultant

The Hidden Reasons Injured Workers Don’t Fully Recover

By Rosie Moore, DNP, RN, LEHP, LNC, BC-FMP
Functional Medicine Nurse Consultant

If you’ve ever heard an injured worker say, “The doctor cleared me, but I’m still in pain,” you’re not alone. In fact, this is one of the most common frustrations I hear in my practice. Despite surgeries, physical therapy, and even medications, many individuals never return to how they felt before the injury. Why? Because traditional care often stops at the surface, and that’s where Functional Medicine steps in.

As a Functional Medicine Nurse and Case Manager, I’ve worked with countless injured workers who were told their injury had healed, yet they still couldn’t sleep, concentrate, or move without pain. When we looked deeper, we found the real reasons behind their lingering symptoms:

  1. Chronic Inflammation That Was Never Addressed
    Injuries trigger inflammation—your body’s natural defense system. But when inflammation becomes chronic due to poor diet, stress, or gut dysfunction, it delays tissue repair and amplifies pain. While medication can dull the symptoms, it doesn’t correct the cause. Functional Medicine looks at what you’re eating, how your gut is functioning, and whether you’re getting the nutrients needed for recovery.
  2. Hormonal Imbalances from Stress and Trauma
    An accident—especially one that involves surgery or disability—can be a traumatic event. It sends stress signals to the brain and disrupts your body’s natural hormone cycles. Elevated cortisol levels can cause fatigue, anxiety, insomnia, and even weight gain. Functional lab testing helps us detect adrenal dysfunction and hormone imbalances that traditional providers often overlook.
  3. Underlying Gut Dysfunction
    Pain meds, antibiotics, and stress can wreak havoc on the gut lining. This leads to leaky gut, poor nutrient absorption, and immune imbalances—all of which delay healing. A compromised gut also impacts brain function and mood, which many injured workers struggle with silently. In Functional Medicine, we focus on rebuilding the gut so that the whole body can function better.
  4. Nervous System Dysregulation After Trauma
    The body stores trauma—not just physically, but neurologically. Even if your X-rays or MRIs are clear, your nervous system may still be in a state of fight-or-flight. This leads to ongoing tension, poor sleep, and heightened pain sensitivity. Through nervous system support and targeted calming protocols, we help clients reset the healing response.
  5. Lack of a Personalized Recovery Plan
    Cookie-cutter advice like “rest and take this pill” doesn’t work for complex recoveries. Every injured worker has a unique health history, lifestyle, and set of challenges. Functional Medicine offers a personalized, whole-person plan to help the body heal from the inside out. This includes nutrition, lifestyle, stress management, supplementation, and coaching.

You Don’t Have to Settle for “Living With It”
If you or a loved one has been told you’re fine—but you still feel broken—there is hope. We help injured workers uncover the real reasons they aren’t healing and walk with them toward lasting recovery.

Initial Functional Health Consultation: $25.00
Click here to book your session

Rosie Moore, DNP, RN, LEHP, LNC, BC-FMP
Doctor of Nursing Practice | Functional Medicine Nurse Consultant
Serving Orlando and surrounding areas
407-760-1662 | rosie@jrmnurseconsultants.com
jrmnurseconsultants.com

nurse

Nurses Make a Difference

Nurses hold a unique place in healthcare—they are often the bridge between patients and providers, advocates, educators, and sources of comfort. Every day, nurses make a difference in the lives of injured workers navigating the complex journey of recovery.

Whether it’s ensuring accurate documentation, coordinating care, or simply listening with compassion, nurses impact outcomes in powerful ways. At JRM Nurse Consultants, we recognize that nursing is more than a job—it’s a calling to serve, heal, and support patients as they reclaim their lives.

Thank you to all nurses for the tireless work you do to make a real difference.

Need help navigating injury recovery, workers’ compensation, or case management support?
At JRM Nurse Consultants, we offer compassionate, expert guidance for injured workers, providers, employers, and insurers.

📞 Call: 407-760-1662
📧 Email: rosie@jrmnurseconsultants.com
🌐 Visit: www.jrmnurseconsultants.com

Telehealth Nursing: Supporting Patients from Home

Our technology has advanced over the years, allowing nurses to manage patient care not only in hospitals but also via telephone and home visits. With the global pandemic, telehealth nursing has become more important than ever.

As an independent nurse consultant, I provide essential medical information to patients and their family caregivers via telephone and telehealth. This requires strong communication skills and the ability to identify concerning signs even from a distance. Telehealth has grown significantly in recent years. According to the American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing (AACN), telehealth practice began when RNs were available by phone to ensure patients had access to healthcare, triaging them to the appropriate level of care.

Many people ask what I do for work. I educate and assess my patients about medications, symptoms, and chronic conditions. I ensure they follow up with their primary care doctors or specialists and develop care plans tailored to their needs. I also work with injured workers, navigating treatment and coordinating light-duty work with their employers.

Telehealth nurses allow doctors to monitor patients who cannot visit the office frequently. This team-based approach promotes autonomy, engagement, and active participation in one’s healthcare. Telehealth is especially beneficial pre- and post-surgery, providing guidance, reassurance, and follow-up care for patients during these stressful times.

During emergencies like Hurricane Dorian, preparation is key. I assess patients’ needs for special-needs shelters, create disaster plans, and ensure each patient is safe during and after the event. Telehealth and home visits help maintain continuity of care even in difficult circumstances.

Most of my patients receive both in-person and telehealth visits to keep communication lines open. While COVID-19 has extended my workdays to 16+ hours, 6 days a week, I am grateful to continue providing essential care safely.

Recently, someone left a sign at my door that read: “Praying for healthcare heroes and first responders.” I am honored to be part of the profession supporting patients at home during this pandemic. Every telehealth visit includes COVID-19 guidance, and my patients know they can reach me with any questions.

Today, find a healthcare worker and show your appreciation with a kind word. We are working tirelessly for the health of our country.

(P.S. Pardon the garden—we planned to plant flowers, but COVID-19 has kept us too busy!)

 

 

 

 

 

Stress Levels Among Parents of Premature Babies in the NICU

For parents of premature babies, every moment in the NICU brings a mix of hope, fear, and overwhelming stress. Various studies have been conducted on the stress levels that parents of premature babies experience while their infants are in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). A qualitative study was conducted to explore this subpopulation, using semi-structured interviews with two mothers who experienced preterm labor. The mothers reported feelings of separation anxiety after delivering prematurely. They described a sense of a shattered dream, as their ideal scenario of an uncomplicated birth and taking their newborn home immediately was disrupted (Da Costa Krieger et al., 2014).

Numerous studies confirm that parents of premature babies experience high stress, making this a valuable population for ongoing research to identify supportive interventions. Using Spradley’s domain analysis, the study highlighted that mothers were stressed not only because their baby was in the NICU, but also because nurses sometimes made parents feel like visitors rather than primary caregivers (Heerman, Wilson, & Wilhelm, 2005).

These findings emphasize that, regardless of sample size, the common denominator remains: parents of premature babies endure significant stress. This stress is compounded at home due to family obligations, financial concerns, complex schedules, hospital visits, and caring for other children. The NICU itself adds another layer of anxiety, as parents worry about the survival and well-being of their infant.

Conclusion:
While the NICU journey can be overwhelming, parents are not alone. With compassionate healthcare teams, proper guidance, and ongoing support, families can gain confidence and find strength in caring for their premature babies. Every step, no matter how small, is a milestone worth celebrating, and creating a nurturing environment at home helps both parents and infants thrive.

References
Da Costa Krieger, D., Valeria de Oliveira, J., Bittencourt, V., Garcia Parker, A., Ambrosina de Oliveira Vargas, M., Regina de Luz, K., & Marin, S. (2014, August). Perception of Prematurity: A Case Study Aimed at Approaching Mothers. Journal of Nursing, 2754-2761.

Heerman, J. A., Wilson, M. E., & Wilhelm, P. A. (2005, May/June). Mothers in the NICU: Outsider to Partner. Pediatric Nursing, 31(3), 176-200.

 

From NICU to Home: Supporting Parents of Premature Babies Through the Transition

Going home from the NICU can be one of the most stressful moments for parents of premature babies, especially without proper guidance. Families often face the challenge of caring for a baby who requires more attention than a full-term infant, and without a structured transition program, the stress can quickly become overwhelming.

The implications of current discharge practices are significant. Parents of premature babies may experience depression and anxiety due to the high level of responsibility and uncertainty. While in the NICU, families endure the emotional roller coaster of whether their baby will survive. Once the infant reaches a stable point, planning for home care begins. If the baby requires tube feedings, oxygen, a tracheostomy, or monitoring devices, major family adjustments are necessary. One parent may leave work to provide care, and missed home health visits can create unsafe situations, placing the primary caregiver under intense stress and extended hours of vigilance.

A multidisciplinary team—including nurses, doctors, occupational therapists, child life specialists, and nurse educators or consultants—should support families during this transition. The bedside nurse is particularly critical, as they develop the closest relationship with the family and understand the baby’s daily needs.

Parents benefit from clear, step-by-step instructions, demonstrations, and written reference materials that they can consult at home (Ronan et al., 2015). Current educational resources often use full-term infants, which does not realistically reflect the challenges of premature babies with medical complexities. Future research should include infants of varying gestational ages and medical conditions to better guide transition programs.

By implementing structured transition programs, NICUs can help reduce parental stress, promote family safety, and improve long-term outcomes for premature infants.

Reference:
Ronan, S., Liberatos, P., Weingarten, S., Wells, P., Garry, J., O’Brien, K., & Nevid, T. (2015, March/April). Neonatal Network, 34(2), 102. http://dx.doi.org/10.1891/0730-0832.34.2.102