The Great Teacher
From L to R: Tishia Courtney, Bob Speelman, Brandy MunozMarch 14, 2019NOTE: This story was taken from the blog of Foundations Health leader Bob Speelman. Each week Bob works at one of his facilities in different roles such as houskeeping, or as a nursing assistant, to bring A Culture of Care.My STNA journey this week took me to Carington Park, our 180-bed skilled nursing facility in Ashtabula, Ohio. Tishia Courtney is the Administrator at Carington, and she set me up to work with an outstanding nursing assistant by the name of Brandy Munoz. Brandy has been an STNA for 17 years, 8 of which have been at Carington Park. Brandy told me she started out going to culinary school and was working in dietary at a facility. She told me that the manager was getting frustrated with her, because every time she left the kitchen to take something to a resident it was a while before she got back to the kitchen, because she would talk and visit with the residents so much! Brandy quickly realized that if she was going to follow her heart, she needed to go and get the training to become at STNA so she could spend more one-on-one time with the residents. I’m so glad Brandy followed her heart!
Brandy told me that at the beginning of her long-term care career, she started to get a little full of herself, and a nurse by the name of Mary Jane Norris pulled her aside and said, “It’s not about you. It’s always about the team.” Brandy said that conversation was impactful and humbling, and that she is grateful for the nurse doing that.
“The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.”
William Arthur Ward
Mary Jane – Thank you for taking the time and initiative to help a young caregiver learn early about teamwork and humility. You probably never knew the impact that talk had on Brandy. If by chance you read this, your investment has paid off!
Bob Speelman, STNA
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