Philly All Stars Margie

I wanted to be a stay at home mom and take care of my kids. When I was married, my husband had an excellent job but he lost his job, and it took him 6 months to find another job. In those 6 months, I said, I have to go to work. I went around looking for positions, and there was an assisted living facility with a sign that said, “Do you want to learn to be a CNA?"

How did you get started?

I've always wanted to be around the elderly: they are interesting and fun and have great stories to tell. When I was young, at family gatherings, it's always the older folks in the family who made a fuss over you.

I’ve spent the last 22 years at Simpson Meadows. I got my Medtech training and trained others to be MedTechs; then I went into administration. Now I do staffing, purchasing, and training. Between myself and Tom, who’s also been here 20+ years, we’ll figure out a way to get it done if something goes wrong.

What’s special about Simpson Meadows?

The first time I came to Simpson meadows, I felt at home. It doesn’t feel like an institution - it just feels like you’re in someone’s home. Most people just want another home where they feel protected and know someone’s going to be there for them if they need something. Whether it's a medical issue or answering their mail or helping them out with paperwork, whatever it can be. I think this place has always been like that.

Most people just want another home where they feel protected and know someone’s going to be there for them if they need something.

Do you have mentors and people who’ve guided you?

My mother - she was a caregiver. She had 5 children and 4 step children - there were 9 of us. She had a very caring nature, she gave every kid their bath, there was no detail that was left undone. She was a great role model for me - she was a giver. I also met some very fine nurses who took their jobs very seriously. The resident was always first. It’s a true vocation: who’s going to take care of the patient if not you?

What advice do you have for young nurses just starting out in their career?

You have to be open to changes because it doesn't matter what facility you work for, they're going to do something different, and something you may not have had to deal with before. Don’t get upset if you missed something or made a mistake - it all comes with time. If you can get more education, do that. Take a class, even if it’s totally unrelated to your position - you can incorporate everything in your job, and it helps you relate to other people.