I have been a licensed nursing home administrator since 2004, now in two states. I moved to the great state of North Carolina in 2019 and began practicing at a Principle LTC facility, Piney Grove Nursing and Rehab Center, located in Kernersville, NC.
While the state regulations were a little different in North Carolina from Florida, operating a facility was still the same in terms of caring for the elderly. That’s a good thing because my life was about to be turned upside down — beyond contending with the global healthcare crisis.
In March of 2020, we started preparation for the COVID-19 pandemic. As a long-term care nursing home administrator, I have to say I have never seen anything quite like it. I have lost my own home through natural disasters, operated nursing homes through hurricanes, dealt with active shooters, elopements, outbreaks of flu, and other crises, but nothing can amount up to the COVID-19 pandemic. We relied heavily on our corporate office for guidance, support, and education with management of this pandemic.
More importantly, this is where we relied on one another in the facility. We worked as a team controlling fears, concerns, sadness, loss, etc. More times than once, I often asked the question, “Why me, Lord? Why us?”
In times of asking the question, “Why me?” or “Why us?” I was shown very quickly that why not Piney Grove, and why not me? We had several healthcare inspections reviewing infection control, and we were passing them with no citations. Our facility was isolating any COVID infections and monitoring any spread appropriately. We were following all guidelines as given by our corporate office, as well as by the State of North Carolina and CDC. Yet, I continued to ask.
On Sept. 11, 2020, a day of remembrance for all, I was given a diagnosis of breast cancer. While this is a day of remembrance for our country and for some who lived through 911, I now found myself grieving, sad, angry, mad, and asking once again, “WHY ME?”
The burning question: “Why me?”
I have spent all my time and energy helping people, caring for the elderly, keeping them safe and protected, and now I am given this diagnosis of breast cancer. I was MAD. I was mad because I did not think this possible with all the pre-screening and all of the yearly follow-ups and diligence, yet I still got breast cancer. My other concern was not only for me and my family, but my facility, my residents… now what?
Oct. 7, 2020, I had my scheduled breast cancer surgery and left Piney Grove for FMLA. On the day I was first out, a COVID-19 outbreak walked into our facility. Up until this point, we were not having any outbreaks and then, as soon as I left, COVID began infecting our staff and residents. I asked again, “Why me?” I needed to be with my staff and residents, and they were without their leader, their support and their lifeline, I felt. But I was struggling with my own health and journey.
I was out of the facility until Nov. 7, 2020. As soon as I returned, COVID-19 soon started to disappear as well. Our cases quickly dropped, and the number of positives declined with residents and staff. My answers to “Why me?” were starting to come out.
The next step of my journey was to have five weeks of radiation therapy — every day during the month of December — and again, I thought, “Why me?” I thought, “How am I going to work and do radiation?” I did not want to be out of work, disappoint my residents, disappoint my staff, or let anyone down. I was already out for a month. How could I make all this work? Also, I was still pretty angry. But being back at Piney Grove was a saving grace.
I completed radiation therapy Dec. 31, 2020 — New Year’s Eve. What a celebration we had. I worked every single day during my radiation treatment and never cut one of them short. I pushed and prayed to get through each day. My team was my inspiration and motivation. They all inspired me to work hard and persevere through each day. I continued to ask, “Why me?” knowing that the answer would be revealed if I just stopped asking and watched and listened.
Carrying on with the team
The COVID-19 pandemic did not go away by 2021 or 2022. We, as providers, became better at infection control. Our team distributed vaccines and developed better techniques for infection control practices. We worked with guidelines to be more successful in managing staffing and residents with COVID-19, allowing them to reside in their facility/home of choice.
The LTC industry is the most regulated there is, I believe, and I think anyone who is an administrator today in long-term care is certainly an expert in their field. They are to be valued and praised for their commitment and dedication to the industry.
As for the whole topic of this article, “God chose me for a reason,” well, He did. You see, He chose me to come to North Carolina and be touched by the amazing people here at Piney Grove Nursing and Rehab Center. He chose me to impact their lives as they have impacted mine.
The heroic purpose
He chose me to continue this life as a breast cancer survivor, with my family entering this journey with me every step of the way. He chose me to be a voice for “EARLY DETECTION.” Please get your check-up — it more than likely saved me.
He chose me to operate this facility during the worst pandemic ever known in our lifetime. He chose me to work every day during RADIATION TREATMENTS to show others that we can PUSH, we can PERSEVERE, and FAILURE is not an option.
In closing, I say this to all of you that choose to read this: God chose me for a reason. He chose me to be a voice for those struggling with breast cancer. He chose me to be one of the heroes in long-term care battling COVID-19. He chose me to be the foundation and leader to many staff members and residents.
He chose me to continue to be thankful for the life He has blessed me with. There is not one day that I do not think about cancer and worry about re-occurrence. I suffer with residual effects at times from radiation treatment, reminding me “why He chose me,” yet I am thankful.
I am not cancer-free yet, but He chose me to continue on His path of blessing, rewards and fortunes.
Please continue to get yearly physicals, check-ups, and stay healthy. Staying focused on your personal care and taking care of yourself will make us all better healthcare providers and operators.
Remember: “Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own.” (Proverbs 3:5)
I am so glad He chose ME,
Jennifer Jasper, NHA
Jennifer Jasper is senior nursing home administrator of Piney Grove Nursing and Rehab, in Kernersville, NC, a Principle LTC community.
The opinions expressed in McKnight’s Long-Term Care News guest submissions are the author’s and are not necessarily those of McKnight’s Long-Term Care News or its editors.
