A Labor of Love & Learning

Barb Hemberger • May 31, 2022

Fulfillment in what they do has been a common thread in the stories we’ve told about Saint Therese nurses during National Nurses Month. Joan Nistler, RN, at Saint Therese at Oxbow Lake in Brooklyn Park is no exception.



Joan has worked for Saint Therese for more than 30 years and a RN since 1995. She spent most of her career at Saint Therese of New Hope working in a variety of roles – she worked the floor, was a case manager, night house supervisor (for 14 years) and nurse manager.


But working through the height of the pandemic took a toll on her and she took some time off. She has now returned, reinvigorated, to Oxbow Lake in a non-management role.


“I’m back to doing hands-on care on the floor, and I love it,” said Joan. “I got into nursing because I found it gratifying to work with the elderly and to be able to do something to make their day. I really enjoy working with them. I missed it. And, I’ve been told I have a calming influence on the residents, which makes it even more rewarding.”


Joan naturally embodies the Saint Therese mission of “doing ordinary things with extraordinary love.” She talked about how when she was on the night shift, she enjoyed getting residents ready for bed by giving them a backrub and putting lotion on their back.


And sometimes she did “extraordinary things” with extraordinary love, such as the day she took a resident to Grand Casino Hinckley (with family’s consent), because the resident really wanted to go. Afterwards, the woman wanted to shop and then have pizza, so Joan and her mom (who had joined them on this adventure), did that as well. The resident returned to Saint Therese happy and thankful for the day.


She is inspired by Barb Rode, our soon to be retired President & CEO. “I’ve seen her out on the floor feeding people and toileting people. This was our CEO doing hands-on care. That always stayed with me. No one is above taking care of residents.”


“I have the utmost respect for nurses; they are the lifeblood of our community,” said Deb Reitmeier, executive director and campus administrator at Saint Therese at Oxbow Lake. “I’m reminded of a well-known quote that pretty much says it all – nurses dispense comfort, compassion, and caring without even a prescription.”

Yet, despite the reverence that people have for nurses and the satisfaction they themselves feel in their jobs, there is still a shortage of nurses in the U.S.


To those people thinking about entering the nursing field, Joan said “There are so many opportunities in so many different fields and so many different positions that their opportunities are endless. It is a great learning experience, and that is important.”

The post A Labor of Love & Learning appeared first on Saint Therese Blog.

Stay Connected


Search All Posts


About

At Saint Therese, our heartfelt purpose since 1968 has been a people first approach to living well by providing senior care and services where every life we touch feels welcomed, respected, and heard. We achieve this by doing ordinary things with extraordinary love every single day. Contact us to learn more. 

By Barb Hemberger June 5, 2025
Shaping the culture, one hire at a time
By Barb Hemberger May 23, 2025
The 2025 America’s Health Rankings® Senior Report was recently released, offering a comprehensive overview of the health and well-being of older adults across the United States. The report, based on 55 measures from 24 distinct data sources, highlights both strides made and challenges persisting in senior health. While there is encouraging progress in areas like reduced early death rates and strengthened social connectedness among older adults, significant mental and behavioral health challenges remain. Key Findings from the Report Falls and obesity rates have stabilized after peaking earlier this decade. The number of geriatric clinicians increased by 5 percent, marking the highest rate ever recorded by the rankings. Volunteerism saw a 19 percent increase between 2021 and 2023. The healthiest state for older adults was Vermont, followed by Colorado, Washington, Utah, and Connecticut. Meanwhile, Mississippi ranked as the least healthy state, with Louisiana, West Virginia, Oklahoma, and Kentucky following suit. Insights from States with Saint Therese Senior Communities Minnesota ranked 7th overall, placing it among the top 10 healthiest states for older adults. It showed a promising 13 percent increase in the number of geriatric clinicians between 2021 and 2024. However, the state also experienced a significant 23 percent rise in depression rates among adults aged 65 and older, increasing from 12.8 to 15.7 percent between 2018 and 2023. Michigan secured the 21st spot in the rankings. The state showed notable improvements, including an 18 percent drop in falls, decreasing from 32.6 to 26.7 percent of adults aged 65 and older between 2014 and 2023. Additionally, cognitive difficulty rates decreased by 13 percent, from 8.8 to 7.7 percent during the same period. Ohio ranked 36th overall, but one bright spot was a significant 35 percent increase in the number of geriatric clinicians between September 2019 and September 2024. Positive Signs for Volunteering The news about volunteering is a positive sign as emerging evidence shows that older adults who volunteer regularly have fewer cognitive complaints and a lower risk for dementia compared with those who do not volunteer regularly. At Saint Therese, volunteers are as much a part of our organization as our residents, families, visitors, and employees. We rely on and value the countless hours and dedication of those who support our mission by volunteering in our communities. We are always looking for volunteers. To find out more, or to apply to be a volunteer, please visit us here. The Bottom Line The 2025 Senior Report, produced by the United Health Foundation, underscores the complexities of senior health in the United States. While strides have been made in areas such as access to specialized care and volunteer engagement, persistent challenges like obesity, depression, and behavioral health highlight the need for continued efforts. The Report serves as a crucial reminder of the ongoing work needed to ensure a healthier future for older adults across the nation.
By Kathy Nelson, Fitness Specialist April 24, 2025
At Ascend Rehabilitation , we believe that wellness is more than just exercise—it’s about fostering strength, confidence, and connection. Our wellness and fitness program seamlessly integrates with therapy to help residents and clients improve their physical, mental, and social well-being.