Society nurse recognized nationally for her leadership

Posted: 09/07/2022

Share on:

Crafting birthday cards with residents during activity time is a treat these days for Alena Goergen, RN, BSN, at Good Samaritan Society – Miller Pointe in Mandan, North Dakota.

“I love to participate when I can because that’s part of why you get into this job is just being able to be with people,” Alena says.

Alena got her start in nursing 25 years ago as a certified nursing assistant with Sanford Health. A love for long-term care brought her back to a nursing home following a short stint in acute care.

“I do OK in trauma. I tried helicopter nursing for a while. I loved that,” Alena says. “That was great, but I missed that connection that you can have with the people here.”

“I don’t know anything else and I can’t imagine doing anything else, honestly.”

‘She leads by example’

Exploring her passion for geriatrics, Alena has earned her CDONA (Certified Director of Nursing Administration) in long-term care and is board certified in gerontology.

“I am so blessed to have Alena as my director of nursing,” Society administrator Kayley Cartmill says.