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Nurse Erin Dornink is an example of how HELPcare is approaching patient care

 

When HELPcare Clinic was first established in Austin, the goal was to provide a care that focused on patient needs with a slower more intimate approach.

There would be fewer patients in a day that allowed for lengthier visits and more time with the provider and nursing staff rather  than a more rapid transit of care.

It’s one of the things that was appealing to Erin Dornink, one of several nurses at HELPcare who have bought into the model of patient care.

“It was the perspective they had on health care and I was drawn toward that and the flexibility of still being at home with my children and being able to work part time here,” she said. “We attempt to be more of a holistic perspective in how we’re educating our patients. How we’re treating them.”

Dornink has been with HELPcare for nearly the entire duration of the clinic’s operation, which opened in 2022. She started in October of that year after taking time out of nursing for seven years to be a stay-at-home mom to her “crew of five kids.”

Dornink said her primary reason for getting into the nursing field in the first place was a desire to be in a position to help care for the human body.

“Probably the first thing was, I think, the human body is a fascinating thing,” Dornink said. “It’s complex the way God designed it. It’s super unique and getting to study that and learn how to help fix it was probably one of the initial things that brought me into nursing.”

“It’s a good way to serve people,” she added.

She’s also spent time in pediatric home health as well as longterm care.

However, Dornink returns the advantages she sees in the HELPcare model as its slower pace opens up the door to get to know the patient better, especially during stressful times.

That can be expanded to a broader overview of the importance of being a nurse on a general level.

“I think one of the things was that a lot of times as a nurse you’re sitting with a person when they are in a vulnerable situation in their life,” Dornink said. “Sometimes to a greater degree and sometimes to a lesser degree and being able to walk with them through some of those instances and not only be able to offer just a listening ear, but also giving the information to make informed decisions.”

The time she has spent in the nursing profession has afforded Dornink a profound insight into a profession where they are oftentimes a first contact between patient and provider.

Dornink said there are important lessons that she’s been able to learn that she thinks are vital to those who have just gotten into nursing or are thinking about it as a career.

“Learning how to ask questions and listen well would be a good life skill in general,” Dornink said. “Also, working through conflict resolution. You want to create an environment that people enjoy working in. Those would be some broad tips I would add.”

That extends to Dornink urging new nurses to dive in and ask questions of providers and co-workers.

“Don’t be afraid to continue to learn more when it especially comes to your field,” she said. “We have to keep doing continuing education and so develop a love of learning.”

Finally, Dornink said nursing has been about appreciating others and in general caring for their wellbeing.

“Learning to love people well,” she said, acknowledging that there often challenges to go with the rewards. “Sometimes it’s easy like when you have the new born babies coming in. That’s exciting. Sometimes there are more difficult people to deal with. It’s just learning love and being gracious toward the people God’s created.”