Familiar Faces on Duty, All Night, Every Night

09/16/2009

If you call in the middle of the night to check on a resident at Glenmeadow, chances are you'll get nursing staff member Noemi Cruz or Betty Beal on the phone. If you made that call twenty years ago, you would probably still have spoken with one of them. With over fifty years of combined experience, Glenmeadow's 11 p.m.-7 a.m. shift is in good hands. Noemi and Betty are part of a three-person team that works all night to support residents at Glenmeadow.

And whether it's three in the afternoon or three in the morning, Glenmeadow's nursing support includes a registered or licensed nurse and two or three certified nursing assistants.

Noemi Cruz started with the organization in 1980, at our former site on Chestnut Street in Springfield, when we were known as Chestnut Knoll. "I did a little bit of housekeeping, then spent most of the next four years as a server in the dining room," said Noemi.

That was thirty-one years ago, and it has felt like home ever since, she says. Noemi's sister Elizabeth was already employed as a nurse's aide, and encouraged her to apply. "I was married with two children at the time, and it was a good opportunity for steady employment," said Noemi. After several years as a server, the nursing supervisor asked Noemi to train as a nurse's aide. "We trained on the job, and they helped us prepare for the state exam to become certified nurses aides," said Noemi. When she passed, Noemi was recognized at a graduation ceremony in front of the residents.

Noemi says working as a nurse's aide has been a good fit for her. "I enjoy meeting the needs of our residents, really listening to them, and doing my best to provide them with what they need," she says. "This is a great place, and I am proud to work here." She has also encouraged her own children to work at Glenmeadow; two of the three sons did while they were in school. Noemi also has two grandchildren.

Betty Beal started with Glenmeadow in 1987, also at the Chestnut Street location. She is also a certified nursing assistant and enjoys the atmosphere. "Everybody here is very family-oriented," said Betty. "I enjoy coming to work because everyone is so pleasant to work with."

Betty is a natural caregiver and enjoys the rewards that come with the job. "I love seeing the residents smile, because that means we're doing our jobs well," she says. Betty has also encouraged others to work at Glenmeadow, with two of her three daughters working at Glenmeadow as nurse's aides while they were going to school. Betty also has five grandchildren.

Staff longevity is key to excellent care, and Betty and Noemi are two examples of Glenmeadow's ability to get and keep great employees.