National Nurses Week gives us a chance to appreciate the medical professionals who keep all our residents and Day Services attendees healthy, safe, and happy.
Several AHRC NYC nurses reflected on their decisions to enter this field, caring for people with disabilities, and choosing to spend their careers with us:
“I enjoy making a difference in people’s lives,” said Noreen Keenan, Housing Supports. “In hospital nursing, you have a brief time with patients. I love residential [services] because I can see the progression from when people come to live with us. There is a continuity of care, and you see people making headway and becoming more mature and responsible. I enjoy advocating for people with disabilities because they are not offered the same opportunities to get the same medical care as the rest of the population.”
“Nursing at AHRC NYC is always challenging and rewarding. Every day is different,” said Patricia O’Dea, Housing Supports. “AHRC has been very good to me–that’s why I’ve stayed as long and why I’ve recruited my daughter to work with us.”
“I always wanted to work with people in this field. My mom loves this agency so much and I didn’t think I would be steered wrong by starting my career here,” said Rebecca O’Dea, Housing Supports.
“I stayed in nursing because I needed someone to nurse me as a kid after a house fire,” said Patricia Glasgow, Day Services. “The help I received when I was young touched my heart and I wanted to return that level of care.”
“I started at AHRC NYC on a whim,” said Sherie Corbin, Day Services. “I fell in love with the field and have been here ever since. It’s been eight years. Caring for people with disabilities has unique challenges and is very rewarding.”
“I started as a hospice nurse and needed to change direction in my career,” said Rob Peters, Director of Nursing, Day Services. “I didn’t want to go into hospital nursing. A person I worked with in hospice care had Down syndrome–I didn’t know there was nursing specifically for people with disabilities. I’ve had great support at AHRC NYC. I love the nurses here and supporting people in their health journey, including addressing their disability needs.”
Our nurses provide an uncompromising standard of professionalism to their patients, allowing them to feel the comfort and stability they are entitled to.
