“I just love being a nurse,” said Jean Stabilito, an LPN Unit Manager at Artman Lutheran Home who retired after 18 years. “I love the people here. We’ve been saying for years that Artman is a family, and it really is true.”
Jean began her career at Artman in 1994 as a charge nurse, amidst major renovations. Jean worked in the newly-opened residential unit on the second floor. “It was really phenomenal,” she said, “It became a really cohesive unit.”
During the time Jean was on staff, her mother lived at Artman for two and a half years before passing away. “It was difficult for me to be here during that time, but Artman was a part of me,” she said.
Jean held other positions during her 18-year tenure at Artman, including staffing coordinator and unit manager for skilled nursing, but five years ago she asked to return to the second floor. “I wanted to go back to my roots,” she said.
Professional growth was an important part of Jean’s career at Artman. “When you’re a new nurse everything is book knowledge,” she said. “You have to take that knowledge and turn it into practical experience.” Jean learned the importance of developing relationships with the residents beyond simply knowing their medical needs. “This is their home. I’m just visiting,” she said.
Jean is looking forward to having more time to spend with her son, but says that she is still processing the idea of retirement. “This is bittersweet for me. I know I will be back in some capacity, but I won’t be here every day,” she said. “It’s been a blast. I love being here. The people that I take care of, the people that I work with and the residents’ families; we all just bond.”