cOmmunity cOnnectiOn
on the spot:
Fred Whisenhunt
a
BouT 23 Years aGo, freD enTereD The croWDer nursing program at 44 years old. He made a huge career change and became one of the few men, at the time, that graduated in the first few years of Crowder’s nursing school. Fred made the decision to become a nurse after seeing, and appreciating the care that his grandmother received while she was ill, and dying, in the hospital. Previous to that, Fred had already been in the service, graduated from SMSu, and pursued other career paths. Fred’s destination as a nurse was born from his life experiences, and love of people. Fred and his wife, Jean, live in Cassville and enjoy their friends and family. When Fred is not busy with his work as a Mercy’s Home Health Rehabilitation nurse, he is working on his farm and spending time with Jean. Fred also loves classic cars, and he and Jean currently enjoy cruising in one of their restored vehicles. You should get to know Fred:
connection: what do you enjoy about caring for people, and being a nurse? fred: Meeting new people and caring for them in their homes. Most of the medical community only see the patient in the hospital, medical clinic or physician’s office. as a home health nurse, i’ve drawn blood over the hood of a Cadillac in the driveway or done dressing changes on the tailgate of a pickup in the yard. as a nurse, every day brings new challenges. Having confidence in my own skills
and having the backup of the home health agency along with good physicians makes for good patient outcomes. connection: what is the most challenging aspect of your job? fred: going to work every morning and never knowing what you are going to be doing. as a home health nurse your patients are constantly changing. You might start the day with a new patient with iV or dressings. Drive time also is a challenge in rural areas because visits are so far apart.
fred having fun with some of his great-grandkids, ava, lucky, roper, ansley and landrie.
70 | ConneCtion Magazine
June 2014