When most people picture a nurse, they imagine someone at a hospital bedside, responding to alarms, administering meds, and racing against the clock. But at ChenMed, nurses redefine what’s possible in patient care by stepping out of that image entirely.

In a value-based care model focused on relationships, not volume, nurses are trusted guides, tireless advocates, and integral members of the care team. They work in patients’ homes, hospitals, and side-by-side with doctors, bringing compassion, coordination, and real-world problem-solving to every corner of a patient’s life.

“This is the most challenging—and most satisfying—job I’ve ever had,” says Karen Dallis, an Acute Care Nurse who’s spent 40 years in nursing. “Here, I get to make a real difference.”

BeyondtheBedside-WhyValue-BasedCareFeelsDifferentforNurses

Why value-based care changes everything

At ChenMed, value-based care is more than a healthcare philosophy—it’s the foundation for how every team member approaches their work. Nurses play a particularly vital role in this model, not only because of their proximity to patients but because of the trust they build and the insights they bring. When care focuses on long-term outcomes and preventive measures, nurses are empowered to step into leadership, advocacy, and education roles beyond clinical checklists.

From fee-for-service to value-driven care

Traditional fee-for-service healthcare rewards volume—more tests, more visits, more procedures. However, value-based care flips that model on its head by rewarding better outcomes, not just more interventions. It’s proactive, preventive, and deeply personalized.

At ChenMed, that shift empowers nurses to use their full range of skills, from clinical insight to community connection. Instead of just checking boxes, they’re helping patients build lives worth living.

“We’re not here to treat symptoms—we’re here to change lives,” Community Care Nurse Angie Brady says. “That takes time, trust, and teamwork.”

Empowered to do what works

Rather than enforcing overly rigid policies, ChenMed encourages nurses to use their judgment and creativity to help patients navigate complex health situations. Whether that means adjusting medication schedules to fit a patient’s lifestyle or involving the caregiver in diabetes management education, nurses are supported in doing what works best for their patients.

Nurses at ChenMed often say the model doesn’t just support what they do—it aligns with why they became nurses in the first place. “It didn’t change my beliefs. It enhanced them,” Angie adds. “I’ve always believed everyone deserves healthcare. This model lets me deliver it.”

More than a job: What nurses do at ChenMed

The day-to-day responsibilities of a ChenMed nurse vary depending on the specific role, but they all share a common goal: keeping patients healthy, independent, and connected to care. Nurses aren’t bound to the bedside. Instead, they are out in the community, in patients' homes, in hospitals, and at the center of a coordinated care team.

Roles that go beyond the clinic

Nursing at ChenMed isn’t one-size-fits-all. Acute Care Nurses like Karen and Julie work onsite in hospitals, building relationships with case managers, physicians, and patients to reduce unnecessary tests and improve care transitions. Community Care Nurses like Angie, Melody, and Matt make home visits, track medication adherence, connect families with resources, and even help secure food or transportation.

As Licensed Practical Nurse Matt Hruska explains, “We’re the bridge from hospital to home. We make sure nothing slips through the cracks.”

A team approach to whole-person care

Working within physician-led care teams, ChenMed nurses have direct access to doctors and specialists. This proximity and shared mission create a strong foundation for real-time decision-making and mutual support.

“We’re not just communicating with doctors—we’re building plans together,” says Julie Kern. From real-time updates via secure messaging to shared decisions on end-of-life care, nurse-physician relationships are built on trust and respect.

“I’ve worked places where doctors shut you down,” Julie says. “Here, they ask for our input. That makes all the difference for our patients.”

Trust, time, and teamwork: A different kind of culture

ChenMed’s culture is rooted in trust and collaboration. Nurses are not viewed as assistants, but as central contributors to patient care. They have the time to listen, the freedom to act, and the support of a full care team to help patients reach their health goals.

Nurses and doctors, side by side

Strong nurse-physician bonds are at the heart of the ChenMed model. Acute Care Nurses like Christina Leftwich use their expertise to support hospital teams while staying connected to each patient’s PCP. This dual visibility enables better planning, smoother transitions, and fewer care gaps.

“It’s about being that throughline,” she says. “We help hospitals and families see the full picture—and it changes everything.”

Julie adds, “It’s the first job where I truly feel heard.”

Co-location and real-time support

Whether physically present or virtually connected, nurses at ChenMed close the gaps that often derail traditional care. Daily updates, secure text messages, and in-person check-ins allow care teams to respond to changes in a patient’s condition quickly and efficiently.

“I’ve built strong relationships with hospitalists,” Karen says. “They trust me when I say a patient’s ready for discharge or when I flag something that doesn’t feel right.”

That level of connection prevents redundant testing, reduces hospital stays, and builds confidence in patients who often feel overlooked in a system that was not built for them.

The moments that stay with you

The work that ChenMed nurses do isn’t just impactful—it’s personal. Whether it’s advocating for a patient whose voice isn’t being heard or going the extra mile to ensure someone has food on the table, these moments remind nurses why they do what they do.

Stories that make an impact

Nursing at ChenMed is full of “small moments” that make a big difference—like helping a patient secure a mobility scooter so they can shop for their own groceries again, or going through a window to rescue someone who had fallen and couldn’t call for help.

“Some of these patients haven’t seen anyone in weeks,” says Melody Rivers. “Being that person they can count on—it stays with you.”

Angie recalls a patient whose entire family smoked—even as he sat on oxygen. She saw it as an opportunity to educate the entire household, not just about the immediate risks, but about the broader health implications and how lifestyle choices contribute to chronic conditions like hypertension. "If I could help them understand now, maybe I could stop a cycle of disease before it starts," she said.

Empowering patients and their families

In value-based care, patients and their support systems are seen as active participants in their care. Nurses play a pivotal role in equipping both patients and caregivers with the education, tools, and encouragement they need to manage health at home.

Meeting patients where they are

Instead of telling patients what they “should” do, ChenMed nurses ask what’s realistic. “I ask them, ‘What’s your typical day?’” Melody says. “If their morning starts at noon, I don’t schedule their meds for 8 a.m. We work around their life.”

That practical, nonjudgmental approach builds trust and leads to lasting change.

Supporting caregivers, too

Caregivers often face their own burnout and uncertainty. Nurses at ChenMed see them not as bystanders, but as partners in care.

“I had a patient’s son break down on the phone,” Angie shares. “He didn’t know what to do anymore. So, I stepped in to help him apply for Medicaid, get meals delivered, even arrange for a personal care aide.”

That kind of wraparound support helps families—and keeps patients safe at home longer.

Who thrives in value-based nursing?

This model isn’t for everyone, and that’s part of what makes it special. The nurses who thrive here bring a unique blend of empathy, initiative, and flexibility. They are educators, advocates, and community leaders all in one.

It’s not for everyone—and that’s okay

Working in a value-based care environment challenges many of the traditional assumptions that nurses may have about their role. It’s not about clocking in for a shift and following orders—it’s about showing up with purpose, using your judgment, and staying flexible in the face of constant change. This kind of nursing demands a deep sense of ownership, emotional resilience, and a belief in the mission to deliver better care.

Nearly every nurse interviewed said, “This kind of nursing isn’t for everyone.”

“You need flexibility, compassion, and drive,” says Julie. “It’s hard work. But if you have passion, if you truly want to help people, not just treat their symptoms, then this is the place for you.”

The most successful nurses at ChenMed are those who are eager to think beyond the task at hand. They look for solutions, ask questions, advocate for patients, and take initiative when they see something that could be improved. They find reward not in checking boxes, but in building relationships that lead to measurable change.

Melody adds, “You have to change your mindset. It’s not task-based nursing. It’s whole-person nursing.”

For many, that mindset shift unlocks a more profound sense of purpose. It transforms nursing into something more than a profession—it becomes a calling.

If this sounds like you…

At ChenMed, nurses aren’t just caregivers. They’re leaders, advocates, educators, and lifelines. They are trusted by doctors, loved by patients, and empowered to make a difference.

If you’re ready to step beyond the bedside and into a nursing role that rewards compassion, creativity, and true connection, we’d love to meet you.

Explore some of the nursing careers at ChenMed:

We are currently hiring for the following roles in the communities we serve. Click below to explore our immediate openings or visit Chenmed.com/careers.

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