Cultivating Caregivers: Getting involved paves way for career growth for Madonna’s VP of Patient Care

Terasa Farlin started her career with Madonna in 1995 as a certified nursing assistant. She continued to work for Madonna as she earned her degree and became a registered nurse in 1999. Now serving as Madonna’s vice president of patient care and chief nursing officer, she says she has always felt a sense of belonging here.

“I found a home at Madonna,” Farlin said. “The culture here is one in which you feel like you belong and you feel like you make a difference. The mission of watching patients get better and enjoy their life again, sometimes in different ways, and watching how the nurses have an impact in that day-to-day progress with patients is inspiring, and it just makes it worthwhile to stay in an organization like that.”

Farlin says she didn’t necessarily set a goal to climb the corporate ladder, but her goal of making an impact carried her throughout her career. She says nurses are lifelong learners, so she was always looking for her next learning opportunity.

“I just wanted to make a difference and in doing so, I took the opportunities that were available to me and participated,” Farlin said. “I had that desire to be involved, and it just opened the doors.”

Innovation is a core value at Madonna, and it’s one Farlin says is incredibly important to the nursing profession. From finding unique ways to help patients achieve maximum independence to collaborating with physicians to provide the most in-depth care possible, innovation is key to patient success. Nurses can also demonstrate their innovative thoughts and ideas as members of Madonna committees.

“You apply that innovation in the work you do with patients and that can evolve into innovation with project teams across the organization,” she said. “It has a tremendous impact because it’s taking that frontline experience and applying it to policies and procedures.”

For young nurses or nurses looking to advance their careers into more senior roles, Farlin’s advice is participation creates opportunity.

“There is something to learn in every experience, every encounter and every working relationship you develop with your peers or the interdisciplinary team,” Farlin said. “It’s just taking those moments and building on them. Let your manager or supervisor know you have an interest in getting involved with the organization. You don’t have to be in a leadership role to contribute. Everybody has an opportunity to contribute. Keep finding those opportunities and sharing them and doors will open.”

Farlin says she is thankful to work alongside the dedicated rehabilitation nurses who serve at Madonna. They are vital to patient success.

“Believe in the work that you do and be proud of how you contribute to the outcomes of patients,” Farlin said.