August 26, 2021
After helping a family member find full-time care, Matt Niemeier knew he wanted to work in long-term care. He is a licensed nursing home administrator and holds a Master of Science degree in administration from the University of South Dakota. As the regional vice president of operations at Accura Healthcare, Matt enjoys watching residents, staff and volunteers interact and share their life experiences.
How did you get started in the long-term care profession?
I was working in an industry completely unrelated to long-term care when I was asked to help find full-time care for a family member. After that experience, I knew I wanted to be an administrator. Within a few months, I was back in school taking health care classes and looking for an administrator-in-training opportunity. It’s been the best decision I’ve ever made.
What do you like most about working in long-term care?
I enjoy listening to residents share their life experiences. I’ve been fortunate enough to hear some pretty amazing stories over the years.
What would you tell others to encourage them to consider a career in long-term care?
Go out and visit as many nursing homes as you can. There’s nothing I can say that compares to the feeling you get from seeing a resident hug a CNA, their excitement yelling BINGO or watching them crush a stunned student volunteer in Wii bowling.
What lessons have you learned working in long-term care that also help you outside of work?
I’ve learned the people I surround myself with are critical to my success or failure.
When you’re not at work, what do you enjoy doing?
I enjoy learning new things and I can’t sit still. I don’t really have hobbies, but I always have multiple things I’m trying to learn. Currently I spend most my free time working on new woodworking techniques or trying to figure out a couple of different live edge and epoxy table projects.
What is your favorite quote and why?
“People should pursue what they’re passionate about. That will make them happier than pretty much anything else.” – Elon Musk. When I saw this quote, it just stuck with me. What we do every day affects so many people, so we can’t afford to not be passionate about it.
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