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Assisted living director’s career began in the dining services kitchen

Assisted Living Director Linda Mwanzi is a long way from where she began.

As a teenager in Kenya, Linda decided to leave the life she had known as a child to begin anew in America.

“I started my career journey in the kitchen at Aberdeen Village when a sincere resident’s voice spoke to me and asked if I had plans to go back to school to do something else,” Linda said. “I thought of those words for quite some time and wondered why a stranger would believe in me.”

In 2004, those words became action, and she stepped into work as a certified nursing assistant. By 2005, she was working as a certified medication assistant, and by 2007 began working as a licensed practical nurse. In 2014, she completed her bachelor of science in nursing, became a registered nurse, and was promoted to director of assisted living.

She’s still advancing, however, and will graduate this May with dual master’s degrees in business and nursing.

“My favorite inspirational Bible quote is Proverbs 16:3: ‘Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and all your plans will succeed,’” Linda said.

She also believes that her work as a nurse fits in with her call to ministry — in her employment, her community and internationally.

“The compassion of caring for others and putting other people’s needs first is the kind of life that I was introduced to, up until my teenage life,” Linda said. “It takes a special heart full of compassion to become a nurse and that is what nursing is all about. Caring hands and hearts are what attract people to nursing.”

That compassion and dedication to residents — and putting them first — is part of the reason Linda has served at Aberdeen Village since 2003. She has seen over the years the ways in which the staff works to elevate patient care, comfort, and well-being above all else.

“Aberdeen Village is not just a health care center like any other, but it is a community that the majority of residents identify with as home,” Linda said. “It has a special place in my heart in so many ways. Staff in Aberdeen Village put patient care needs first. I have had numerous compliments internal and outside Aberdeen Village of how great our care is towards our patients. Nursing is all about caring.”

The year 2020 is also the year of the nurse — a time to recognize the contributions nursing has made to the health care delive­ry system, as well as a way to mark the 200th birth anniversary of legendary nurse Florence Nightingale.

“It is important to take out time this year to recognize the important role of nursing, and the care nurses in Aberdeen Village have provided,” Linda said. “I just want to acknowledge the outstanding, challenging work that each one of the nurses have performed to make our residents happy and safe.”

Linda says the nurses at Aberdeen Village work to build trust among each other and with the residents, and they tirelessly work to use their knowledge and skills to help residents.

“Aberdeen Village is a unique community that is blessed with wonderful nurses,” she said. “I am proud to be associated with such a great community.”

Linda says she enjoys her hobbies of travelling and missionary work, but she most enjoys spending time with her family.

“I am looking forward to spending more time with them,” she said.

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The World Health Organization designated 2020 as “the year of the nurse.” This observation coincides with the 200th birth anniversary of revolutionary nurse Florence Nightingale, whose leadership forever elevated the nursing profession. Throughout the year, PMMA communities will shine a spotlight on nurses as part of this global recognition. You can share your nurse story by sending an email to 2020YearoftheNurse@pmma.org.
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