It’s never too late to have a career in making a difference.
Nancy Fulciniti left her first job at Catholic Health to be a stay-at-home mom, having spent 12 years raising her two beautiful daughters. Last year, when her daughters were old enough, Nancy decided she wanted to return to healthcare.
Returning to a Career Helping Others
Today, Nancy works as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) at Father Baker Manor, one of Catholic Health’s skilled nursing facilities. “It’s tending to each patient’s needs,” says Nancy of her job duties as a CNA. “It’s important to get to know people individually, and know their unique medical issues. It’s a lot of helping patients get into and out of bed, dressing and cleaning them, and spending time with them.”
It should come as no surprise that everything Nancy learned upon returning to work was turned on its head when Coronavirus arrived in Western New York. Still, she says that COVID made her a better CNA.
“I’m not going to say we had an easy time [in the early months of the pandemic]. But there was so much to learn. There were things to do just because they had to be done. It gave me such a different perspective on the situation, and what was going on in the world.”
Caregiver by Nature
Nancy discusses what it was like to rejoin the healthcare industry after being out of the workforce, and the opportunities for growth and advancement at Catholic Health. Both Nancy’s background and her personality have contributed to making the experience all the more positive.
Q:
What originally inspired you to become a CNA?
After I stopped working and became a stay-at-home mom, I was worried my time out of the workforce would affect my ability to get a job. I didn’t think my computer skills were where they should be. But I knew that I could take care of people. After all, I had taken care of and raised my two girls. So I knew that I could do this job.
Q:
Why did you decide to come back to the Catholic Health system, rather than looking for a CNA job elsewhere?
It’s a great company to work for. The people have always been wonderful. And it’s the type of company you stay with, not one that you work at for a year or two, then leave. Before I left to raise my girls, Mark Sullivan worked in home care at the same location I did. When I came back, he was the CEO of the company. So you really see how it’s a company you can grow with.
Q:
Does Catholic Health offer any specific opportunities to help someone in your position advance their career?
You don’t necessarily have to change your job if you don’t want to, but Catholic Health offers many of its clinical workers the opportunity to get certifications in other specialties. The THRIVE program in particular is one way the company pushes you to be better. It’s something you can do, and resources provided to give you knowledge about other areas. So that’s what I mean when I say it’s a company you can grow with – there’s always more you can do.
Q:
What’s one thing you would want to tell someone who might be considering a job as a CNA – who’s wondering if it could be right for them?
That anyone can do it. It’s not an easy job, but it’s a rewarding job. And if you’re willing to put the effort in, and you like working with people, and get along with people, then it could be the job for you.
Love the Work You Do
Discover what it’s like to love the work you do, while making a real difference in the lives of others. Join our award-winning healthcare team at Catholic Health. Learn more about our job opportunities at jobs.chsbuffalo.org or discuss further career development with our recruitment team at the number below.
Learn About Our Job Opportunities Visit chsbuffalo.org/calling -or- Call/Text (716) 220-4690
Learn About Our Job Opportunities
Visit chsbuffalo.org/calling
-or-
Call/Text (716) 220-4690
