Martin returns to MNRC as HR director

     Laurissa Martin has been with Monticello Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for a total of eight years, starting out as a charge nurse and working her way up the ladder. After a brief stint away, Martin realized her heart was in Monticello.

     In January, Martin returned to MNRC, taking on the newly created job of human resources director.

     “I never completely left,” said Martin.

     After taking a job at a doctor’s office in July 2016, she said she returned to MNRC to help out when needed.

     During her eight years at MNRC, Martin has worked as a charge nurse on third, second and first shifts. She then became the assistant nursing director, followed by the MDS (Minimum Data Set) coordinator. Martin explained the latter involved coding patient information for the state and providing nurse assessments.

     “This was my first nursing job out of college,” she said of coming to MNRC. “This is where my heart is.”

     Martin, who resides in Coggon, said MNRC reached out to her with this new opportunity.

     “It sounded great and something different for me,” she said of taking the offer.

     As human resource director, Martin is tasked with placing advertisements in local newspapers for staff openings, conducting interviews alongside departments heads, performing background checks on perspective employees, checking references, and following up additional training and the necessary paperwork for newly-hired people as well.

     She also works with every department at MNRC, making sure patient treatment is being performed properly, helping the staff with time management, and continuing education for the nurses.

     Martin said they have six different department heads at MNRC.

     The best part of returning, Martin said, is getting to see the residents every day.

     “There is so much happiness here,” she said.

     She also hopes to empower those she works with.

     “I want them to have the same passion for the job that I do,” she said. “I want to help the staff realize the impact they can make here, changing the lives of the residents.”

     Martin admitted that while in nursing school, she never pictured herself working in a long-term care facility.

     “I thought I would be an ER nurse,” she said. “But you never know where your passion lies.”

     In order to prepare for the HR job, Martin met with other human resource directors at other facilities to get an idea of what the job would entail.

     Of combining several processes into one HR director at MNRC, Martin said things are a lot easier now.

     “It simplifies things,” she said. “Now, everything starts and finishes with one person.” And, Martin said with the size of the Monticello Nursing campus, an HR director was needed.