“To be in nursing and to want to stay, you have to find your niche. You have to find what you enjoy doing, and what you’re good at doing.” — Vanessa Vincent, LPN
Vanessa Vincent has been a licensed practical nurse (LPN) in the Healthcare Center of Luther Acres for 16 years. Her interest in nursing started when she took an Intro to Health Careers course through the Lancaster County Career and Technology Center. That interest was furthered through volunteer work at a local rehab and skilled nursing center where her mother was employed. After deciding that long-term care was the career path she wanted to pursue, Vanessa became a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). After working as a CNA for two years, Vanessa took her training to the next level and went for her LPN license. In total, her career in nursing has spanned over 25 years.
Vanessa’s education and wealth of experience help her give residents in our community top-notch care. On any given day, her responsibilities might involve taking assessments, gathering vitals, administering treatments, giving medications, and handling documentation, among many other things. But providing the best care involves more than just the clinical; it includes assessing residents’ mental, social, and spiritual wellness as well. “I think that to truthfully take care of our residents, you have to know a little about them – not just their medical, but their social histories,” Vanessa said. It’s this comprehensive approach to care that makes working in long-term care different than other healthcare settings. The day-to-day consistency with residents allows for time to make deep, meaningful bonds with the people you’re helping. It’s these relationships that make the job rewarding for Vanessa. “You get to know residents, you get to know their families, and they get to know you,” she said.
Because she has been in the industry for a long time, Vanessa frequently runs into people who remember her for the care she provided. On one instance she described being stopped by four or five people who thanked her for the work she did and the care she provided for their loved ones and their family. Whatever happens in a day, Vanessa can be assured that the work she does has a positive effect. “I get to go home each day and know that I made a difference in somebody’s life,” she said.
Thank you for your stellar work, Vanessa. We’re glad you’ve found your niche and continue to make an impact every day here at Luthercare!
For more information on how you could make an impact in our community like Vanessa, check out the open positions in the “Careers” tab!