A little over a year ago I went from working three jobs, maintain a home, enjoying family, friends, and even travel to partially and thankfully, temporarily disabled. After a couple of major surgeries, the death of my Father, and well, some “other” family issues, I finally took the next step. With the support of my husband and rock Aaron Kelly, moved to a beautiful growing Pooler, Georgia (GA). The next step in “who I want to be when I grow up”.
I would have more opportunities for educational experiences in an urban area, where several major medical centers are located. While my assumption regarding quantity was correct, I was a bit appalled at the quality of care. While this information was unveiling itself the COVID-19 pandemics first wave hit and hit GA strong and steady. I witnessed firsthand the devastation this virus has caused and the disparities in the care my patients received.
Understand our hearts are still in South Carolina, I have even applied for the congressional district 6 board of nursing seat, I got the news last week that my application has been considered and forwarded to Governor McMaster. I am in my second year of a lifelong path to complete my Master of Science in Nursing, more specifically with a concentration in Psychiatry and Mental Health NP. I attend Walden University an institution founded and intent on creating social change through educating those of us who will hold these positions.
I want to lead the change that I happen to know from personal experience is needed in our rural communities and even some of our more urban areas. The racial disparities that plague our communities is not a new problem. However, navigating this issue during the COVID-19 pandemic, economic hardship and the LONG overdue push for social change creates entirely new challenges. Especially during such economic uncertainty, the care this population will receive will only get worse as funding continues to dwindle.
The once simple process of opening a small business is proving incredibly difficult. I cannot even open a business banking account without a fifth piece of documentation. Thanks in part to a subpopulation of fraudulent businesses and their abuse of the Small Business Associations (SBA) loans. A decade ago, this writer assisted in the official opening of Kelly Construction (a minority owned business in rural SC) and simply do not recall it being this difficult or EXPENSIVE!
As a Registered Nurse with over a decade of clinical, quality, case management, and leadership experience, I can make a decent wage. The problem is the lack of hours in the day when attempting to grow and open not one, but two new businesses in the area. No joke, I have gone as far as researching plasma donation to fund the start-up costs, I mean, it is needed anyway right?
In Conclusion
While in recovery last year I began PURPOSE a nonprofit youth assistance and mentoring program. This program is somewhat stagnant; other than my constant counseling and mentoring of the local youth at every opportunity whether they like or not, lol. But my five-year goal is for PURPOSE to have a physical home in Beaufort County, where the youth will have access to the tools needed to implement their ideas and goals, as well as provide professional counsel to them with my advanced education.
Smart Nurses is one business I am diligently trying to get off the ground. Now I could easily make some calls and have clients by Monday to make a few bucks, this is simply not my goal. My Nurses intend to provide high quality, affordable in-home care for those in need. Many of these patients will likely be indigent, at least until I can use those case management skills and my newly acquired grant writing skills to obtain what they need.
The last but never least does not yet have a name, I meet with the partners next week to discuss it and begin our business plan. These educated young black women, intent to open the trendy “Medi-Spa” we have all enjoyed. In our growing area and with the current state of our economy we have a unique opportunity. I am currently learning more every day regarding services through the SBA, making it possible to get this movement moving!
If nothing else, thank you for taking the time to read this and for any feedback or suggestions you may have. Please share this with anyone you feel could benefit from the program’s success or services.
Thank you, Sincerely,
Heather A. Kelly RN, BSN, SMSN
Phone 843-476-3574
Email: mynurses2020@outlook.com
PO Box 250
Sheldon, SC 29941