Karen Robinson’s favorite part of her day comes first thing in the morning when she gets to Breeze Park’s REACH Short Stay Rehabilitation and Long Term Care neighborhoods and greets the residents.
“I check on them and make sure they had a good night,” said Karen. “I like resident relations and working with their family members.”
Karen is an Assistant Director of Nursing at Breeze Park, a Lutheran Senior Services (LSS) Life Plan Community in Weldon Spring, Missouri. Before this position, Karen worked as a nursing educator at Breeze Park and while she enjoys working with the staff too it was the time with residents that she really missed. Luckily her current position allows her to do both.
When Karen first went to nursing school, she graduated from a program that provided all the education a person needs to become a nurse but not the full schooling to receive a bachelor’s degree. After graduating, she needed a break from schooling but throughout the years has kept trying to go back to school to get her degree. Finally, her job at LSS, personal life, and the right school aligned. Karen is now back in school working toward her Bachelor of Science in Nursing with the help of an LSS tuition reimbursement program.
“I want to have a higher education,” said Karen. “I like school, and I am really enjoying myself. I’ve noticed now I enjoy writing!”
While Karen has been able to move forward in her career at LSS, she knows that her degree will serve her well in her position at Breeze Park and into the future. She’s even considering getting her Master’s degree someday. Karen credits her time spent as a nursing educator at Breeze Park as something that helped prepare her for her role as an Assistant Director of Nursing because she spent time working with the management team and learning how to be a leader. Offering team members like Karen opportunities for continued development is important to LSS, and Karen is very happy to be able to take part in an tuition reimbursement program.
“I love LSS and am glad they gave me this opportunity,” said Karen.