July 29, 2019
Working in long-term care has taught Makenzie Gavle life lessons and allowed her to build personal relationships with residents. Makenzie is an RN-charge nurse at Thornton Manor in Lansing, Iowa.
How did you get started in the long-term care profession?
In the spring of 2011 I moved near Mabel, Minnesota. Green Lea Manor was hiring and offering a CNA course, so that’s where I first started my career in long-term care. I started working at Thornton Manor when I moved to Waukon, Iowa in the fall of 2011, and I have been here ever since.
What do you like most about working in long-term care?
I love taking care of the residents – they feel like family to me.
What would you tell others to encourage them to consider a career in long-term care?
A nursing home may not initially sound like a “fun” place to work – but it is so rewarding in the long run, I promise.
What lessons have you learned working in long-term care that also help you outside of work?
Patience – rushing things does not always make a situation better or easier. The death and dying process is a lesson you must learn through experience. It also has many aspects to it, including the resident as an individual and their family.
When you’re not at work, what do you enjoy doing?
In the summer I like to do activities outside, especially fishing and kayaking. I also have two very active and playful dogs.
What is your favorite quote and why?
“Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re going to get.” This quote is fitting for long-term care, as I care for a variety of residents with different ages, diagnoses and personalities.
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