I spent most of my career in the U.S. Postal Service, as a carrier and a postmaster in Colorado. While caring for my aging parents, I revisited my background in nursing, which I got during my time in service in the Navy.
For my encore, I chose to go back to school to get my nursing certificate, to learn about the rights of residents of nursing care centers on behalf of my aging parents and their needs, and also because I wanted to help those in my own community who have no one to help them. I obtained my Certified Nursing Assistant license through the Morgan County Community College in Ft. Morgan, Colorado.
I am currently employed at Valley View Villa, owned and operated by Life Care Centers of America, a skilled nursing, wound care and rehab facility. As the transportation coordinator, I schedule all resident medical appointments within this facility and across northeast Colorado. I provide care for their personal needs when out of the facility. We have many residents who don’t have family so I am liaison for them and their providers.
The way I feel personally is that not only am I helping someone fill a void in their life, they in return are making me more aware of my own needs that I will face hopefully later in life. It is better to give than to receive!
I believe older workers in their encore stage have a greater sense of value and work ethic. We are creative and have responsibilities to enhance our minds and bodies to move forward. We need change to maintain a long and fulfilling life. Stay educated and move forward one step at a time.