My “WHY” – Abbigail Griep
Prior to coming to Friendship Haven, I was working in hospice. In my previous position, I would come to campus frequently and it was very easy to see that Friendship Haven was so much more than a facility! Everyone truly cared about their residents, and knew their stories well. The true passion I see from employees here, at Friendship Haven, is what makes this more than a job. It is without a doubt their home away from home.
Our nurses, caregivers, and leadership strive to walk alongside our residents and advocate for them as if they were their own loved ones.
Resident advocacy is my passion as a nurse, and I feel that when I speak up in the best interest of the people in my care, the concerns do not fall on deaf ears. This is the only place I would want my own loved ones to be.
I would also add, from a professional standpoint, there are several opportunities for education and growth that you don’t see at most workplaces. Here, I have learned a different approach to care that I feel encompasses my personal desire to provide each person with the dignity and respect they deserve.
When I first started here, my own grandmother fell and broke her hip and was brought to Friendship Haven for skilled rehabilitation care. She was also suffering with advanced dementia and was difficult to take care of at times. I watched as staff patiently worked with her and showed her loving care as if she was their own grandmother. They didn’t need to do that, they barely even knew me, but it quickly became apparent that this is how they treat every resident even when no one was watching!
-Abbigail Griep
Journeys Clinical Nurse Lead