‘Ask-a-Nurse’ with Linda Shanahan is coming to the Oak Lane Library

Linda Shanahan is a registered nurse who is currently working on a master’s in public health nursing, which places an emphasis on community versus hospital nursing. Shanahan is also an expert on critical care, home care, and hospice.

Currently doing clinical rotations at the LaSalle Neighborhood Nursing Center, Shanahan frequently answers questions while doing blood pressure screenings, which led to the idea of starting the Ask-A-Nurse series.

This free program led by Shanahan will take place on three dates: Nov. 16 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Nov. 30 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 14 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m at the Oak Lane Library.

On Nov. 16 Shanahan will discuss “Tricks of the Trade for Home Caregivers”, which will cover topics like personal care, safe feeding practices, and hands on skills demonstrations.

“Sometimes people feel guilty that they maybe get frustrated or they maybe feel upset that they maybe have not been the most patient that they could of been,” Shanahan says. “I think it will provide a place for people to just talk about their experiences in addition to learning.”

On Nov. 30 the theme of the program will be “Medication Literacy”, which will be helpful to both people taking and giving medications and on Dec. 14 the theme, of the program will be “Food as Medicine” — a personal passion for Shanahan. She will be discussing holiday foods that contain herbs and spices like cinnamon and sage, which can act as a medicine as well as a great holiday treat.

The Ask-a-Nurse series will be a stress-free way for people to get their questions answered without rushing to the doctor.

Depending on how it goes, Deborah K. Ahrens, Branch Manager of Oak Lane Library and Shanahan will look into expanding the “Ask-A-Nurse” series for the spring to cover more topics like medication side effects and other related subjects.

If you go:
Ask-a-Nurse Series
Oak Lane Library
6614 N 12th Street
Nov. 16, Nov. 30 and Dec. 14
6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Free