How long have you worked at ADAPT Community Network?
Five years, I make 6 years this December 2023.

How long have you been a nurse?
I’ve been a nurse since 2012. I started off as an LPN and just recently, I finally obtained my RN license.

What is the difference in working as a nurse at ADAPT?
Working at ADAPT compared to other healthcare settings allows for a lot of flexibility and allows me to practice my nursing assessment skills pretty much every day. Most importantly ADAPT has allowed me to network and work with other interdisciplinary specialists and providers in providing care for the people supported that I serve. I’ve been able to learn different approaches in providing adequate and efficient healthcare in very difficult or non-conventional circumstances. In nursing school, there isn’t much focus on how to work with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are often dually diagnosed with psychiatric diagnoses. Therefore, working at ADAPT has taught me how to literally ADAPT and think outside the box and still combine the knowledge that I’ve obtained in school. Sometimes the work can become a bit overwhelming, but that’s nursing in a nutshell. While working for ADAPT, you’re working alongside a team of other professionals who also have the same goal in providing not only medical care but lifelong support to the people we serve. The care that you provide isn’t acute, it’s long term.

What is the best part of your day?
Completing all the tasks I initially set out to do for the day. Sometimes it’s something as simple as getting needed medication refilled and scheduling appointments I’ve been trying to get for the longest time.

What would you say to someone who might be interested in working here?

Great! You’ll learn a lot. Remember you will most likely be at work more than you’re at home so learn to enjoy where you work and try to learn and get along with the people that you’ll be working with, they will become your second family. Most importantly, never be afraid to ask questions! Ask about your duties, the expectations of you, and make sure everyone is on the same page. Also, learn to prioritize. Prioritization is going to be vital once you get busy.

What keeps you inspired while working at ADAPT?
If all else fails for me, I know this is one job that I’m good at. I may not be the best, or work the fastest, but I do try my hardest and I can say that I’m really good in certain areas that can be beneficial to any team or residence I’m working with.

Is there anything else you would like to share about working here?
I recently got another job working in a hospital and I was almost put in a position where I would’ve had to choose between staying at ADAPT or working my dream position. Fortunately for me, working at ADAPT has allowed me to do both. With a little planning and communication with my supervisors, I was able to formulate a plan and a schedule that works for me, while still being able to meet the expectations that are asked of me. I choose to stay employed with ADAPT because they genuinely want to see me grow and strengthen my nursing skills, while I was in school finishing my RN, ADAPT worked with me and my school schedule until I graduated. They invested in me.