Monica joined the Aveanna team 10 years ago. As a new grad and single mom, she knew that one-on-one private duty nursing was the perfect job for her. Eventually she realized that it was more than just a great job – it was her passion and career. Monica shared with us her Aveanna journey and the empowerment, camaraderie, and joy she has found along the way.
What drew you to the nursing profession?
I didn’t dream of being a nurse as a little girl. It wasn’t my passion from a young age. But that started to change after both my kids were born with different genetic conditions. I got curious about the science of genetics and involved in helping them with their different medical and developmental needs.
Then my grandmother got sick, and I became her full-time caregiver. As I learned more, I became really interested in her medications and treatments. The science of it was fascinating to me. I helped take care of her for the next two years until she passed away.
I was plunged into this world of disabilities and got a personal education in all the things we do here at Aveanna. Eventually, I realized that nursing was a good idea for me. I already knew so much and was highly motivated to learn more. This seemed like a career that I could grow in and provide for my family with.
Once you became a nurse, what brought you to home health care?
As a new grad single mom, I was looking at hospital jobs thinking they were impossible for me. I couldn’t do night shifts. I needed more flexibility than hospitals could give. Aveanna won me over with scheduling flexibility and proximity to my home. But it was their new grad training program that got my foot in the door. I was part of legacy PSA Healthcare’s New Learning Trach and Vent Program. That program developed my passion for taking care of pediatric patients with complex needs.
A lot of people go to nursing school and then never really use their degree. I don’t know if I would have been able to work as a nurse as a single mom with special needs kids if I didn’t have the opportunity Aveanna gave me to pick and choose my schedule and how far from home I would work. I wouldn’t have gotten this involved in pediatric complex medical care without that opportunity. Everything really worked out beautifully!
How have you grown as part of the Aveanna team?
I started working with Aveanna (PSA Healthcare at the time) as a private duty nurse in 2012. I worked in the field for a couple of years with a really complex patient. It was a challenging case and really pulled on my heartstrings. Everyone deserves to live a normal life and be able to stay at home.
One day, my nursing supervisor asked me if I had thought about becoming a supervisor myself. I had developed a lot of technical skills in the field and was ready to take the next step. While in the Clinical Supervisor role, I got to help in so many different ways that I wasn’t expecting. I really enjoyed showing our families that they don’t have to struggle, they don’t have to be alone, and things can get better.
I was a Clinical Supervisor for a year and half, then became the Nurse Manager at our Bala Cynwyd branch for a year and a half before I was offered my first Clinical Director position at the Trevose branch. I never thought of myself as someone who could lead other people. But my supervisors handed me the baton, and I ran with it. Doors just kept opening from there. I worked for 4 years as a Clinical Director at the Trevose branch, where we nearly tripled our growth in that time. In January of 2022, I transitioned to my current role as Clinical Director at our Bala Cynwyd office.
This role was a little more daunting and challenging. But I have a natural inclination toward problem solving and love a good challenge. Most importantly, the leadership trusted me, let me get involved, and wanted my opinion. The more faith they show in me, the more empowered I feel to take on the challenges that come my way.
What does it mean to you to be part of the Aveanna team?
Being part of the Aveanna team is problem solving with friends! It’s about being strategic in a way that is sensitive to the needs of our patients and to everyone else involved – the patient, their family, the nurse in the home, the team in the office. I want everyone to feel like we’re all part of one big team, working to get our patient what they need.
Everyone finds something special here at Aveanna. What have you found?
I’ve found my own natural abilities. Aveanna cultivated and brought out of me things I didn’t realize about myself. I never thought I would be a director of anything. I didn’t realize how much I love problem solving. These are character strengths that I didn’t even know I had before working here. If I didn’t have these opportunities that I’ve had with Aveanna, I don’t know that I would have been able to pull that out of myself.
I’ve also developed incredible relationships working at Aveanna, with my fellow employees and the families we serve. The personal impact you can have on a family is truly amazing. I love connecting and making a difference – not just for one person (which is already great and rewarding), but for a whole census of patients and their families. I’m changing so many lives as an Aveanna Clinical Director!
That’s why, ultimately, I’ve found joy in what we do. I love coming to work! I love the people I work with. I love developing relationships with the field nurses and families. I love making an impact.
What growth opportunities are available to nurses at Aveanna?
There are so many! There are so many directions you can go in. Aveanna loves to promote from within and advance nurses who know our culture, our family perspective, and our teamwork approach. A lot of our managers have come from an entry-level position in the company. I share my story with others to show that they can have this too. Aveanna wants you to succeed. They care about you as a person and the direction you want to move in and your opinions. We're all about empowering team members, building leaders, and supporting each other.
If you’re a nurse looking for a company that will empower you to grow to your fullest potential, join our team today!