What It Takes to Become a Purpose-Driven Nurse: My Journey to Carekal Health

Twenty years ago, I answered the call to become a nurse. I didn't know then how deeply it would shape me-not just as a caregiver, but as a human being. Back then, I thought nursing was about IV lines, vital signs, and medication passes. And yes, those things matter. But the longer I stayed in this profession, the more I began to see that the heart of nursing is something deeper. It's about being present. It's about showing up for people in their darkest, loneliest moments. It's about understanding that healing doesn't always come from hospitals or prescriptions-but from connection, compassion, and consistency. Somewhere along the way, in the long night shifts and hurried handoffs, I began to feel a tug in my spirit. I knew I was helping-but I also knew something was missing. That's when home health found me. And I found my purpose. Why Home Health Changed Everything There's something sacred about stepping into someone's home. You're not just treating a diagnosis-you're entering their world. You see the pictures on the wall. You see the medications stacked on the table. You see the wheelchair ramps that don't quite fit, or the carpet that's a trip hazard. You see the whole person, and often, you realize... no one else has really been seeing them. It broke my heart to meet seniors who hadn't had a visitor in weeks. Stroke survivors struggling alone. Diabetics navigating wound care with no help. Veterans living quietly in pain. These are the people who built our communities, raised children, worked hard-and now, too many are left isolated, unseen, and unsupported. That's when I knew: we need something more. Not just services. Not just visits.

We need purposeful care that connects the clinical with the human. The Birth of Carekal Health: A Program from the Heart After years of bedside nursing and patient advocacy, I founded Carekal Health because I had finally seen the gaps that weren't being filled. Patients didn't just need a nurse. They needed someone who would coordinate their care, remind them to take their medications, speak up for them at the doctor's office, help them understand what's happening to their body-and most of all, someone to see them as a person. So we built the Carekal Signature Program to be a bridge to a better life. A clinical concierge service that doesn't just send nurses, but builds relationships. A CareConnect portal where patients and caregivers can access education, ask questions, and stay in the loop 24/7. A foot care program because something as "simple" as a toenail can lead to life-threatening complications. A medication reminder and care card system for those struggling with memory or understanding. And above all, a commitment to be present, accountable, and human. This Isn't Just a Job-It's a Calling Being a purpose-driven nurse means going beyond your license. It means being an advocate. A connector. A trusted presence. A lifeline. I don't do this work because it's easy. I do it because I've been in the rooms where no one else shows up. I've held hands during hospice. I've taught adult children how to dress wounds. I've coordinated rides, picked up groceries, called in referrals, and sat quietly when all someone needed was company. This is what it means to be a nurse with purpose.

It's not about the paychecks. It's about making sure no one is forgotten. To My Fellow Nurses: You Might Still Be Searching If you're reading this and you're a nurse who feels like something's missing-I see you. You're not alone. The system has made it hard to care the way we want to care. But I'm here to tell you-there is a way. There is a place for your heart. And there are patients waiting for the kind of nurse who doesn't just do the job but lives the calling. Home health isn't for everyone. But for those of us who are purpose-driven, it's home. At Carekal Health, we're not just delivering care. We're building bridges-one patient, one visit, one heart at a time. If you're a nurse, a caregiver, or a family member searching for more... welcome. You've found your people. With compassion and purpose,

Lady Janice Duterte,BSN RN WCN-N CSWD FCN-C

Administrator/ Clinical Administrator / Nurse Advocate

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