Who We Are
Our team of Registered Nurses has one goal: To make the healthcare system work for patients and families
When you enter the healthcare system, it’s often because you or someone you love is sick or injured or in need of long-term care. You have questions and you need help.
What you find is a confusing maze of tests and treatments, opinions and options, endless forms, unfamiliar terms, hard choices to make and large bills to pay. You may not know which way to turn.
When you turn to Guardian Nurses Healthcare Advocates, you get answers to your questions and a nurse advocate to be your personal guide and champion.
Your nurse gets to know you, your situation and your needs. He or she gathers the best available information and explains it in plain language so that you can make informed decisions.
Your nurse advocates for you with doctors, hospitals, insurance companies, nursing homes, equipment suppliers — anyone and everyone involved in your care. She’ll even go with you to your doctors’ appointments!
With a nurse advocate lighting your way, you see everything more clearly. Peace of mind replaces frustration and fear. You know you’re going to have the best possible healthcare experience because a caring, competent, professional nurse is on your side and by your side, every step of the way.
Guardian Nurses was founded by a nurse who saw a need to advocate for patients
Betty Long, RN, MHA, founded Guardian Nurses Healthcare Advocates after guiding several elderly family members through the healthcare system. She wondered, “What happens to patients who don’t have a nurse in the family?”
To test her theory that a nurse serving as a patient advocate would benefit patients and families, Betty began offering her services to friends and word-of-mouth referrals. The response was overwhelming.
She developed a business plan and incorporated Guardian Nurses in October 2003.
Inspired by Florence Nightingale, Guardian Nurses has a “patients first” philosophy. Betty calls Florence “the first nurse advocate,” citing the story of her work in overcrowded hospital wards during the Crimean War. Young Florence noticed many soldiers contracted respiratory infections. She took the bold step of opening the windows and the infection rate dropped dramatically. With that small intervention, she saved lives.
In the spirit of “The Lady with the Lamp,” Guardian Nurses Healthcare Advocates lights the way through the healthcare maze for thousands of patients and families.
Meet our passionate nurses
Guardian Nurses advocacy services are performed by professional RNs, LPNs and social workers who have a passion for helping patients and at least 10 years of experience in nursing and healthcare issues.
Achievements we’re proud of
With 19 years and counting since the founding of Guardian Nurses, we’ve grown a lot and accumulated quite a list of achievements.