Helping You Help them

Are you ready to be the nurse who makes a positive impact in elderly residents lives while they reside in the Long term care setting?

That has been my passion in my career. I have continued to surround myself with other healthcare staff who share this same drive. We all have the priority of ensuring that we gain the knowledge that we need to ensure we help our residents have the best positive outcomes.

How do we do this when our profession is continually pivoting to meet the next regulation or health reform incentive without becoming stressed, experiencing increased anxiety, or wanting to run from this career and try something else?

We can embrace the changes and continue to strive to meet the goal of positively impacting our residents lives.

We don’t need to be alone trying to solve the next perceived worst possible dilemma we are in.

Does having someone who has been there done that and have already tested the waters to know what worked and didn’t work appeal to you? Does having someone who may also know exactly where to find resources to help you with solutions to your next challenge appeal to you.

It did to me when I was starting out and needed to know quickly how can I solve a problem. I can remember when I was a new Nursing Director and wasn’t sure I could do it. My Assistant Director at the time was much wiser and had years of experience doing this job. I was 25 and took the job 12 weeks after a new baby. She was 54 and did not want to be a director anymore. She loved that she could be my assistant and teach me what I needed to know. Her name was Duffy Brooks and I will forever be grateful to her.

Many days I would tell her that I was quitting and wasn’t sure I could handle it. She would always be calm and sit and listen. I would share what I thought would work and then she would share from experience what did work. I was often suprised when I had the right answer and grateful that she was there to support me. Now I could have quit in my first year and used my newborn as my excuse but I did not. I worked with Duffy for 3 plus years. That facility was a 1 star facility and together with our team we were able to bring it to a 5 star. She just recently told me she loved me and especially loved working with me because “ She didn’t ever have to tell me anything twice”. The reason she didn’t was because she was such a great teacher. She is now retired from nursing but still is someone who I hold very dear to my heart.

30 plus years forward and I am still practicing nursing. I have remained true to staying in Long Term Care Nursing. I have met many great staff along my way as well as many wise elders in my charge. I have learned from some the best in the industry while working at Kindred, Genesis, and past independent companies such as for Mr. Twomey nursing home/resthome continuum, New England Home for the Deaf and Atlanticare Nursing Home. I have also learned from the residents because each of them come into our lives with a vast knowledge and experience of their own. If given the opportunity, they are very willing to teach us. I have seen the independent homes sold and merged with the larger corporations. Those experiences in the industry and the changes have giving me the opportunity to see what works in both small and large arenas. Also what works for individuals and Groups.

I would like to pay it forward and offer that support, mentoring, and avenue for you to be able to find the resources you need. If you are in need of a website virtual group where you can read blogs, find resources and have a spot that you can ask your questions privately or in a group then you have found the place. Click that button below and subscribe. Looking forward to helping you help them.

The information presented is informative and does not constitute direct legal or regulatory advice

September 2024\Skilled Nursing Support\maria.messina@skillednursingsupport.com

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