Career Growth at Elara Caring: From RN Case Manager to Clinical Team Manager

Tiffany started her career with Elara Caring in May 2019 as a hospice RN Case Manager. She said her first six months were challenging as she navigated a new position while Elara was in the midst of a merge. Despite the challenges, she chose to stay. She knew she had patients who believed in and needed her, and she felt strongly that this was the right decision.

Within her first year, Tiffany was offered advancement opportunities, but she turned them down. She said she loved working with patients at the bedside and couldn’t imagine not being with patients and families every day. Eventually, though, she realized that she could have just as powerful of an impact with patients and their families in a leadership role. So, in March 2020, she accepted the hospice Clinical Team Manager job, which she still holds today.

We asked Tiffany about her experience as a nurse and leader at Elara.

What specific skills or experiences have been pivotal in your career advancement within the organization?

“I believe there are skills that you learn while working in hospice that you cannot be taught in nursing school. Hospice has taught me how to be comfortable in the silence of grief. It has taught me how to navigate social issues within families and [given me] a deeper understanding of the necessity of holistic care. Before I began my journey in hospice I had never heard or used the term ‘meet them where they’re at’. It’s now something I say on a regular basis – professionally and in my personal life.

Some skills/traits that have made me successful in my role here:

• I am a natural leader and very servant-
• I am passionate about hospice care, and I think that fuels my team to stay passionate in their pursuit of providing excellent care.
• I deeply care for my employees, not only as employees for Elara, but also as people… daughters, mothers, brothers, husbands and wives. I want to know and care for the whole person, just as I would expect us to care for our patients!
• I am a lifetime learner.

What valuable advice or insights would you offer colleagues who are seeking to advance their careers at Elara?

“I would encourage them to reach out to their leaders. As a leader here, I know there’s nothing I want more than to help my employees become all that they can be. I also know it is not usually a passive act; you have to take action and own your development as a person. Take the opportunities you have during your 1-on-1s or your annual evaluations to talk to your manager about your personal goals. They will listen.”