It’s National Nurses Month!
Staff Spotlight on 2 More Outstanding Hospice Nurses
Erika Knopp, RN & Ashly Sharpnack, RN
Nurses specializing in end-of-life care are highly valued members of the hospice care team. As National Nurses Month continues, we’re spotlighting two more outstanding Crossroads nurses, both from Crossroads in Northeast Ohio, Assistant Clinical Director Erika Knopp, RN and Case Manager Ashly Sharpneck, RN.
Erika Knopp, RN Moved from Curative to Comfort Care
Assistant Clinical Director Erika Knopp, RN celebrates her 14th anniversary at Crossroads this month admitting she’s an “excellent fit.”
Erika became acquainted with Crossroads through a provider relations liaison that visited the floor where she cared for ventilator patients in long-term acute care. She was particularly moved when she observed a Crossroads chaplain conducting a final Veterans Recognition ceremony for a patient in his final hours.
“It was very touching,” Erika remembered. The patient was not a Crossroads patient, but the “dignity and respect” shown to this Veteran made a very positive impression.
Erika began to realize that “my heart felt more in line with comfort care.” Once she joined Crossroads she saw end-of-life care “the way it should be.” On the job she considers herself “a jack of all trades,” overseeing admissions, working with QAPI and the site educator to set up group and one-on-one trainings. She is a Curantis electronic medical records (EMR) super-user.
Erika “helps the dots connect” for families recognizing every patient and family is different. She is very good at explaining disease processes. She also tries to inspire enjoying life in the moment noting that “memories make the best gift.”
On the home front, she is Mom to two “lovely ladies,” one headed to college next year and one in high school, catching time to read when she can.
“Watch” Visits are a Priority for Ashly Sharpnack, RN
Case Manager Ashly Sharpnack, RN joined Crossroads three years ago. She began professional life early as a State-Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA) while she was still in nursing school pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN.)
Prior to joining Crossroads Ashly worked in a hospital Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and in acute hemodialysis. She was exposed to what she called “over treatment” always “pushed to do more” for elderly and frail patients, including seemingly senseless surgeries.
That was when she decided that focusing on patients’ comfort rather than cure, similar to Erika, was a better fit for her. Now that she’s firmly landed in hospice, Ashly said, “I love it.”
Because of her varied clinical experience, Ashly knows a lot about end stage diseases. She shares her knowledge by advising families and helping them understand “what’s going to come” next.
It’s not just clinical expertise that Ashly brings. The Crossroads ideal that “no one should die alone is very important to me,” she said. “Watch” visits are a priority every day. She is compassionate and empathetic.
Ashly mentioned that she is “very close” with her Crossroads team members. “We couldn’t do it without each other.” They’re like family. And when she’s not on the job Ashly spends time with her 6-year-old daughter enjoying time at church on the weekends.
National Nurses Month recognizes and celebrates the immense contributions of nurses to healthcare delivery.
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