Welcome to my blog, Nurse Advocate. I decided to develop my Blog, Nurse Advocate as a way to share my experience as a nurse, a case manager, a nurse advocate and, most recently, as a patient.  Through weekly posts, I plan to share information about my experiences, which has clarified for me the challenges one can go through in the health care system. 

My goal is twofold–to help others understand how to better navigate patient-centered care and to empower all to have a voice in your care. 

In the posts that follow, I will outline the health care system as I know it, the people who work in it, share how each interacts with the patient regardless of where or how that patient enters the system.  I will try to post every week, add resources, and share information that will help all who read better navigate their choices and experiences.

As you read along, please feel free to share your thoughts, your own anecdotes, and your ideas for future posts.

This blog is intended to help patients, families and loved ones, members of the health care team, payers and others who play a role, so all have a better understand how the system works. YOU can make your experience better by being an active participant.

I would like to thank my friend Kendall Spera for her help in editing the content of this blog. Kendall has a B.A. in Journalism and Political Science from the University of Maryland College Park, and a Masters in Social Work from the University of Maryland Baltimore. She currently works in the field of geriatrics in an assisted living community. Together we will work to bring important, relevant information that you, your family, and friends can use to promote a safe and positive health care experience.

Enjoy!

Anne Llewellyn