Crafting birthday playing cards with residents throughout exercise time is a deal with lately for Alena Goergen, RN, BSN, at Good Samaritan Society – Miller Pointe in Mandan, North Dakota.
“I like to take part after I can as a result of that’s a part of why you get into this job is simply with the ability to be with folks,” Alena says.
Alena acquired her begin in nursing 25 years in the past as a licensed nursing assistant with Sanford Well being. A love for long-term care introduced her again to a nursing residence following a brief stint in acute care.
“I do OK in trauma. I attempted helicopter nursing for some time. I beloved that,” Alena says. “That was nice, however I missed that connection that you could have with the folks right here.”
“I don’t know the rest and I can’t think about doing the rest, actually.”
‘She leads by instance’
Exploring her ardour for geriatrics, Alena has earned her CDONA (Licensed Director of Nursing Administration) in long-term care and is board licensed in gerontology.
“I’m so blessed to have Alena as my director of nursing,” Society administrator Kayley Cartmill says.
When Kayley was interviewing for the long-term care heart’s administrator position, she remembers assembly the nursing chief for the primary time.
“(Alena’s) like, ‘We’re group gamers right here. When there’s a mission I like to remain till the top to verify everyone will get their work carried out and attempt to assist in any method potential.’ At that time I knew, I need to work with this facility,” Kayley says.
Residents and their households need to be round Alena, too.
“I’ll see Alena and I see her in scrubs which implies she’s actively pursuing her occupation,” Jolene Kline, whose dad lives on the Society, says. “She’s not sitting behind a desk. She’s on the market working together with her group members ensuring the residents’ wants are being met.”
“That claims that she loves her occupation and that she values her group and that she leads by instance.”
NADONA award winner
That management is bringing Alena recognition because the NADONA Nurse Administrator of the Yr for the Northwest Area, a extremely aggressive and prestigious award.
“It’s humbling. It’s not why you do a job like this. I used to be very moved. I don’t do that job for the commendations. It means so much to me simply to know that the exhausting work is acknowledged, I assume. I used to be very honored,” Alena says.
Alena was nominated for the award by a handful of affiliates.
A brand new nurse at Miller Pointe, Sarah Schillo, RN, is studying so much.
“Everyone loves Alena. She’s variety. She’s passionate. I really feel like I can go to her with something and he or she’s not going to evaluate me. She additionally helps me be a greater particular person,” Sarah says.
“I adore it right here. Over a 12 months now and there’s not sooner or later that I’ve not needed to return to work.”
Phrase of the tradition on campus travels exterior the nursing residence and helps with recruiting workers.
“They hear good issues locally, and so they need to work right here as a result of Alena Goergen works right here,” Kayley says. “Alena has excellent scientific judgement and scientific data. I do know a number of senior leaders look to her for recommendation on adjustments with processes and insurance policies.”
‘There’s no job like this’
Perfecting processes and prioritizing folks, it’s a successful combo.
“We’re touching lives. It’s shifting how many individuals are higher since you confirmed up for work in the present day,” Alena says. “The times aren’t all the time simple. You don’t all the time go residence and suppose, wow, I had a very superior day and work was so nice. Then, there are days you go residence and that particular person’s life is eternally going to be higher as a result of I acquired up and placed on my scrubs.
“There’s no job like this.”
Being part of a caregiving group coming via for residents day-after-day.
“They’re why you get into this area and why you keep,” Alena says.
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Awards & Recognition, Wholesome Dwelling, Nursing and Nursing Help, Individuals & Tradition, Senior Companies
