As her supervisor says, “Words cannot express how grateful we are to have Bernadette on our nursing team. She has a passion for caring for seniors and she takes pride in her work. She is a team player and an excellent clinician. Her smiles and calm nature are very comforting to the residents as well as her fellow team members. Bernie, your excellent assessment skills and follow-up efforts mean a lot. It is indeed a pleasure to have you on our team.”
Bernadette is a registered nurse in our Memory Care nursing department. But she began her career as a schoolteacher in Cameroon, where she taught elementary school for six years. After immigrating to the United States in 2006, she became a certified nursing assistant and soon after began her studies to become a licensed practical nurse. She transformed a passion for teaching children into a passion for working with the elderly, and says, “I learn so much from them.” Prior to coming to Kensington Park, she worked for Sunrise Senior Living as well as for a nursing home in Washington, D.C.
Bernadette is married with four adult children. Her oldest daughter is a nurse at Suburban Hospital, and another daughter graduated from college recently with a degree in biology. Her two twins, a son and daughter, are in their second year of college. Bernadette lost both of her parents in 2014 and is very grateful to Mary Mell and the management team who allowed her to take extended leave to be with her family in Cameroon during that time. This is one of the many things she treasures about Kensington Park—a management team that truly cares about the staff.
Bernadette works hard, gives her all to everything she does, and is richly deserving of this recognition. Congratulations, Bernadette!