When you meet Alex Minko, Nurse Manager at Paul’s Run Retirement Community, you notice his engaging smile and focused attention. It’s not until you talk to him that you learn about his American journey that began ten years ago when he came here on holiday from Belarus. “I loved it in America, and when I met the love of my life, I knew this would be my new home,” he says.
After working a few years at a variety of jobs, a friend suggested Alex consider working in a nursing home. No stranger to healthcare, since his mother is a pediatrician and his father is a family doctor, he took his friend up on the suggestion and has never looked back.
A job in a nursing home led to acquiring a nursing assistant certificate, and then enrolling in pre-requisite courses in nursing at his local community college. Soon he was looking for better job opportunities and a chance to complete his Licensed Practical Nurse Degree, which he did, while working full time, at Eastern Center for Arts and Technology. In 2008, he found himself as a LPN for a local nursing home and happily working many weekend shifts as a “pool” nurse at Artman. When a LPN position opened at Paul’s Run a year later, Alex applied and got the job. He continued to work full time while pursuing a RN degree on the weekends at Delaware County Community College, graduating in 2011.
Alex isn’t finished learning. This past year he was promoted to Nurse Manager and received his certification in Wound Care and is planning to pursue a Bachelor of Nursing degree. “Paul’s Run has given me an opportunity to further my education and my supervisors have been supportive and flexible with my schedule when necessary. Tuition reimbursement is important, but what’s most important to me is that at Liberty there is a real commitment to all of the employees and learning.”
Alex’s American journey has been one of growth, both in terms of personal development and the growth of his family that began with the love of his life, whom he married, and today, includes Liberty.
Alex took care of my dad, John until his death and he is just wonderful! Truly compassionate and caring!