Some English Rose caregivers are “lifers” while others use their English Rose experience to gain valuable experience while figuring out what they want to do next. A case in point is Skyler Klostreich, who joined English Rose in 2022 after graduating with a degree in Biology and Environmental Studies from Concordia College. “I knew I wanted a career that would allow me to positively impact others. I applied for a job at English Rose because it would give me first-hand experience in the health care field.”
Caregiving – A Great Place to Start
That proved to be a good move. It confirmed for Skyler that she loved working one-on-one with people, helping them optimize their health and wellbeing. “I especially enjoyed working closely with the English Rose nurses. They were so knowledgeable and compassionate.”
“English Rose is a great place to work for students who want to enhance their education with real world experience.”
Thanks to her English Rose experience, Skyler decided that she wanted to pursue a career in nursing and was soon accepted to the LPN program at St. Catheryn’s University. During the two-year program, she continued to work part-time at English Rose. “English Rose is a great place to work for students who want to enhance their education with real world experience. They are very flexible when it comes to helping students schedule shifts around their classes.”
From Caregiver to Team Coordinator
Halfway through her program at St. Kate’s, Skyler sat down with Tiffany Gomez, English Rose Executive Director, to discuss her career goals. “The leadership team at English Rose is very accessible and love to mentor caregivers.” Skyler asked Tiffany if there was any way to advance her career while staying at English Rose.
“The leadership team at English Rose is very accessible and loves to mentor caregivers.”
“We always try to help team members with their personal and professional goals,” explained Gomez. “I wanted to find a way for Skyler to share her expanding knowledge and skills within the organization, as well as provide her with new leadership opportunities while she was finishing her nursing degree.”
Tiffany offered Skyler the role of Team Coordinator at Oak Ridge, English Rose’s new Assisted Living home in Minnetonka. “It was my first leadership role,” explains Skyler, “I had a lot to learn about things they don’t teach you in school, like the importance of back-end administration in a health care environment and how to coach, motivate and earn the the respect of my caregiving peers. Lucky for me, English Rose does a great job of mentoring team members who take on new responsibilities.”
From Team Coordinator to Home Manager
As Skyler become comfortable in her new role as a Team Coordinator, she was eventually promoted to Home Manager. “That’s the progression,” explains English Rose Administrator Zach Parlier, “High performing caregivers become Team Leads as a way to introduce them to the roles and responsibilities of senior management. Successful Team Coordinators, like Skyler, become Home Managers.”
“English Rose leaders don’t manage from behind a desk. They all started as caregivers, helping you follow in their footsteps.”
A Home Manager is singularly responsible for every aspect of an English Rose home: optimizing resident wellbeing, ensuring caregiver performance, maintaining the home’s beautiful environment, and fostering positive relationships with their resident’s families. Skyler says, “It’s not an easy job,” but she makes it look easy.
From Home Manager to English Rose Nurse
For many English Rose Home Managers, the job is dynamic enough to fully satisfy their professional aspirations. Those who want more, however, can become Senior Home Managers, responsible for two English Rose care homes, mentoring one Team Coordinator at each home. “That’s not Skyler’s path,” explains Gomez, “She’s most passionate about providing direct care to people in need, so I’ve offered her a job as a full-time English Rose nurse when she graduates later this year.”
When she joined English Rose in 2022, Skyler never imagined that her first job out of college would play such a career defining role in her life. “Lots of people float from one job to another until they find their path,” says Skyler, “I got lucky starting my career at English Rose.” When asked what makes English Rose so special, she praises the low caregiver to resident ratio (1:3), the company’s willingness to help her meet the demands of school while working, and the fact that the entire leadership all started as English Rose caregivers. “They don’t manage from behind a desk. They are right there with you, helping you follow in their footsteps.”
From English Rose Nurse to…
Skyler’s career progression is not over yet. She’s already taking classes in pursuit of her next career aspiration, becoming a Physician Assistant. “Do we expect Skyler to work at English Rose forever?” asks Executive Director Gomez, who started at English Rose as a caregiver over 21 years ago. “Never say never,” says Kathy Erickson with a wink. Kathy is the company’s Scheduler, who started as an English Rose caregiver more than 24 years ago.