For Andrea Walters, nursing has always been about helping people. More than two decades after becoming a nurse and nearly 24 years after joining Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals, that passion continues to guide her work every night as an LPN charge nurse in Madonna’s long-term care unit.
“I’ve always liked to help people,” Andrea said. “This was my first health care job and I loved it.”
Andrea’s Madonna journey began as a nurse aide. She later became a medication aide before earning her licensed practical nurse (LPN) credential. Over the years, she gained experience caring for patients across multiple settings before transitioning into her current leadership role in long-term care.
Unlike a traditional rehabilitation setting, Andrea says long-term care is unique because residents call this part of Madonna home.
“Being a long-term care nurse, this is their home,” she said. “So, we need to be making sure that we are making it as comfortable as possible, following what their needs are and making sure that happens to the best of our ability.”
As a night shift charge nurse, Andrea serves as a resource for both residents and staff. Whether she’s answering questions, helping solve problems or educating new team members, she sees supporting others as one of the most rewarding parts of her job.
“Being able to educate, being there for staff, and helping them through things,” Andrea said. “Helping residents solve problems and get to where they need to be.”
When Andrea transitioned into the role of charge nurse, she admits she was nervous about leaving the ventilator assist unit (VAU) she had called home for 16 years. Today, she embraces the responsibility that comes with leading a team and helping new staff succeed. She often works alongside travelers, float staff and newly hired nurses, making it a priority to ensure everyone feels supported from the moment they arrive.
“I always help them,” she said. “They can always come to me.”
That support starts at the beginning of every shift. Andrea gathers staff together, introduces team members and helps connect newer employees with the resources they need to be successful.
“It’s important that they’re not just coming in blind,” she said. “It makes them feel a lot more comfortable.”
Andrea believes creating a positive environment is critical to retaining nurses and helping them build long, fulfilling careers at Madonna.
“As a nurse, we need to be positive and help new nurses and keep them excited about it,” she said. “At Madonna, we want to be different.”
She also encourages lifelong education, noting that nursing is constantly evolving.
“Everything changes,” Andrea said. “If you don’t keep up and keep learning, then you become stagnant.”
For nurses considering a career in long-term care, Andrea says the rewards come from the relationships built with residents and the opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life.
“You may make someone’s day just by doing a simple thing,” she said. “Spending five extra minutes with them, taking them on a short walk or fixing their hair. It’s just rewarding.”
After nearly a quarter century at Madonna, Andrea believes the organization’s greatest strength can be seen in the people who choose to stay.
“The longevity of our staff at Madonna says a lot about the kind of place it is to work,” she said. “It’s definitely a great place to work.”