My home health nursing shortage was suddenly resolved
After a year of struggle, miraculous hope showered on us
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If you’ve read at least a few of my columns, you know that I hold on tightly to hope. It’s what keeps me plowing through the rough terrain of problems and crises, as my faith tells me that, one day, many of these difficulties will be solved. Now, it seems the sun has risen on a day with fewer problems in my journey with SMA.
Even if serious problems linger for a while, it doesn’t mean that solutions can’t appear quickly. This was the case with my nursing shortage, which reached a climax last year.
Stuck in a rut of nursing problems
In January 2025, one of my full-time night nurses left. Throughout the year, multiple nursing agencies sent out dozens of nurses to meet me and train on my case. My mom and I experienced persistent heartbreak, as none of the nurses worked out.
We still kept our hopes up that the right nurse would come along. In the meantime, our Friday night nurse went from covering one night a week to five. She generously picked up all those shifts to close the gaps.
She even worked six nights a week for a month, but this was not a solution, as she was getting worn down.
Additionally, one of my long-term day nurses, who had been with me for 16 years, hurt his back. This meant we had to find another day nurse as well. My mom covered his daytime hours as the nursing agencies searched for his replacement. He switched to covering two nights a week for me because my nighttime care places less strain on his back.
My mom and the nurse who was working five nights a week were exhausted from covering so many hours without backup. This created a sense of urgency. It was even more disappointing and frustrating when new nurses meant to provide relief didn’t work out.
Relief that came quickly
As 2025 drew to a close, we were no closer to finding nurses who could join my staff. Then, it all changed in an instant. In the first week of 2026, the nursing agency hit a home run with the person they sent out. This day nurse was a great match and learned my care more easily than many others.
She came to my house with open arms, ready to fill many of my daytime hours and relieve my mom. We’re giving her just the amount of hours she wants and needs without overwhelming her.
Miraculous hope showered on us even harder as, shortly after, I got another night nurse. She’s not new, since she worked with me one night a week a few years ago. Her schedule opened up, allowing her to return to my case and work on Friday and Saturday nights.
This relieves the pressure off my nurse who has worked so many nights over the past year. It not only brings her down from five to three nights a week, but it also frees up her weekends, which is what she really wanted.
It comforts me to know that a former nurse of mine is returning to my case. Although she needs some review of my care, she is quickly picking up my routine.
We were stuck in a muddy rut for a long time, and many of our attempts to get out of it failed. However, I believe that God was still in control. He didn’t let us sink completely, thanks to our heroic night nurse.
Now, it’s as if God has come in with a crane to lift us out of the mud. We’re no longer spinning our wheels; we’re moving forward.
If you’re stuck in a rut and struggling to get out of it, don’t be discouraged. Anything can happen. Relief could arrive tomorrow.
Such possibilities help me to soar. I hope they allow you to do the same!
Note: SMA News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of SMA News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to spinal muscular atrophy.
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