Happy December!
December brings the closing of a year and the beginning of a new. What a year it has been, from a presidential election to a global pandemic, this year has been one for the history books. When 2020 was announced to be the “Year of the Nurse,” no one had the faintest idea of how accurate that was going to be.
Nurses have proven themselves, as they always have, they are a force to be reckoned with and will never back down from performing their duty to the best of their ability even if it means risking their own lives. While the nurses and healthcare professionals went to work, some of us were suddenly confined to the spaces of our own home for more than half a year and counting. KPG Healthcare was one of many companies that sent all their employees to work from home for their safety and per state guidelines. It’s been a challenging year for those who were forced into new and strange living/work environments with everyone in our household doing the same – it was a madhouse.
We asked our employees, “What has 2020 taught you?” and, “What are they looking forward to in 2021?” as we close what seems like a never-ending year. So, let’s go!
Alexis – Consultant & Business Development Manager (Provider Services)
1. Sum up 2020 in one word
– Extraordinary
2. What has 2020 taught you about yourself?
– I have learned the true meaning of when life hands you lemons, make fresh-squeezed lemonade. As I got married this year in the midst of a pandemic. Time is a limited resource, don’t take it for granted, and use it wisely. No one knows what tomorrow shall bring, so cherish the moments you have.
3. How has the pandemic affected your work?
– In 2020, the world was hit by a pandemic that seemed to come from left field, it was a HUGE adjustment to make it from going into the office every day with your colleagues to feeling isolated from the world overnight. It pushed me to find ways to motivate myself daily and overcome new obstacles.
4. What are the top 3 things you look forward to in 2021?
1. Growth
2. Connections
3. Brighter future
Cody – Sr. Consulting & Business Development Manager (Provider Services)
1. Sum up 2020 in one word
– Manipulative
2. What has 2020 taught you about yourself?
– 2020 taught me that I do have the ability to adapt quickly to new landscapes.
3. How has the pandemic affected your work?
– The pandemic has not affected my work, the lockdowns have affected my work negatively I believe decreasing my productivity by 30-50%.
4. What are the top 3 things you look forward to in 2021?
1. BTC rising market value
2. Massive government stimulus and spending
3. My daughter’s 5th birthday
Danielle – Recruiter (Nursing)
1. Sum up 2020 in one word
– Eye-opening for sure!
2. What has 2020 taught you about yourself?
– 2020 has truly taught me I can handle a lot more than I thought. I have grown so much as a recruiter and as a person. I hope to continue to use this challenging year to help me grow throughout the years.
3. How has the pandemic affected your work?
– After working during this pandemic, I have learned to trust the process and adapt to change much faster. You never know when the market will change and you just have to learn to change with it.
4. What are the top 3 things you look forward to in 2021?
1. An end to COVID-19
2. Mental/physical breaks for healthcare workers
3. Some normalcy
Desiree – Operations Coordinator (Provider Services)
1. Sum up 2020 in one word
– Redefining
2. What has 2020 taught you about yourself?
– My perseverance, mental strength and adaptability are my core strengths. I am more passionate, creative, determined and motivated than I give myself credit for.
3. How has the pandemic affected your work?
– It has completely redefined what it means to work and perform regular tasks within an organization in 2020. I have always been tech savvy so fact that many of us and companies have been forced to ramp up those tools and resources and develop those in order to provide a better work life balance and adapt has been a dream come true for me.
4. What are the top 3 things you look forward to in 2021?
1. VACATIONS! I’m so ready to take another trip to NYC, drive to Cali or jump on a plane to Hawaii asap.
2. Concerts/Life events
3. More shopping items in stock (heels/jeans my size seem to be out and it was hard enough finding them pre-pandemic…)
Eve – Account Manager (Nursing)
1. Sum up 2020 in one word
– NEW!
2. What has 2020 taught you about yourself?
– I have learned that working towards specific goals is absolutely imperative to me! With 2020, things kind of seemed to come to a halt and I wasn’t reaching goals or accomplishing new things – I had to come up with ways to grow throughout the year.
3. How has the pandemic affected your work?
– I am GRATEFUL to have a job during this time, working from home and the change in the industry has been a learning curve, but grateful to be a part of it.
4. What are the top 3 things you look forward to in 2021?
1. Normalcy but also safety
2. Running races
3. Vacations
Irma – VP of Strategic Accounts and Client Relations (Nursing)
1. Sum up 2020 in one word
– Heartbreaking
2. What has 2020 taught you about yourself?
– To cherish those near me and live in the moment, because tomorrow is not guaranteed.
3. How has the pandemic affected your work?
– The desire to try and help our clients with supplying staff and knowing there is a shortage is a difficult task, yet rewarding when you can place staff to help out units.
4. What are the top 3 things you look forward to in 2021?
1. Some sense of normalcy
2. Equality
3. Compassion as Humans
Omar – Sr. Recruiter (Nursing)
1. Sum up 2020 in one word
– Thankful
2. What has 2020 taught you about yourself?
– 2020 has taught me that there is nothing I can’t do if I set my mind to it. This year has been a huge test and has brought out the best in me.
3. How has the pandemic affected your work?
– The pandemic has actually made us busier than ever before. Although people are getting sick across the world it is rewarding to help find nurses who can help go be heroes in these affected areas.
4. What are the top 3 things you look forward to in 2021?
1. Personal and professional growth
2. Good health
3. Success in all avenues of life
Ricardo – Operations Coordinator (Provider Services)
1. Sum up 2020 in one word
– Disgusting
2. What has 2020 taught you about yourself?
– That not even a pandemic can stop me with CDC guidelines.
3. How has the pandemic affected your work?
– 2020 has presented many tribulations with the biggest one being my ability to stay positive given my current situation.
4. What are the top 3 things you look forward to in 2021?
1. Traveling to National Parks
2. Movies
3. Buffets
Tiko – Recruitment Manager (Nursing)
1. Sum up 2020 in one word
– Madness
2. What has 2020 taught you about yourself?
– 2020 has taught me to appreciate & be thankful for everything in life. No matter how big or small, do not take anything for granted.
3. How has the pandemic affected your work?
– 2020 has made me busier than I have ever been in my entire life. But it is the least I can do. I feel blessed to have an opportunity to help play a pivotal role in helping my county & community during these difficult times.
4. What are the top 3 things you look forward to in 2021?
1. A hopeful return to normalcy in society
2. Spending time with my grandparents
3. Going to as many concerts & sporting events
Veronica – Account Manager (Nursing)
1. Sum up 2020 in one word
– Profound!
2. What has 2020 taught you about yourself?
– This year has been nothing short of unprecedented. I have learned to be more patient than I’ve EVER been with myself, my family and friends. Learning to pivot successfully is a skill I’m still working on.
3. How has the pandemic affected your work?
– When Elle was first born I loved the idea of working from home full time, this pandemic makes me think differently. Balance is Key – so is nap time! I have to remember to be flexible and have a great team that understands.
4. What are the top 3 things you look forward to in 2021?
1. Hugging my family
2. Brunch with friends
3. Continuing to KPG records