As it has become more common for semi-retired or retired individuals to choose to continue working in a part-time or less intensive role, MRHC has taken notice and taken action to accommodate this emerging trend in employment.
“This is a great way for individuals to transition into retirement as well as retain and attract high-quality staff who might want to cut back on working full-time, eliminate travel, or simply remain connected within healthcare. And it has been a win-win for us,” said MRHC CEO, Linn Block, RN, BSN, MHA.
This is the case for Nancy Danner who worked as a registered nurse for 27 years in the Carroll County area, a Certified Physician Assistant for 16 years in Manning, and a Certified Medical Coder at MRHC the last four years. After retiring in August, she has since transitioned to a volunteer position as Senior Health Insurance Information (SHIIP) counselor at MRHC. 
“I will be 70 in October, but I wanted to volunteer for something that was really needed,” Danner shared. “SHIIP helped my husband and I when we had to make Medicare-related decisions and we found the volunteer counselors were very helpful.”
Danner meets with individuals every Wednesday by appointment and provides information to aid in Medicare decision-making.
“I very much like the environment at the hospital, and I feel comfortable with the employees. I am happy to be able to continue to help the people of the Manning area as a SHIIP volunteer counselor,” Danner said.
Three other MRHC employees were able to take advantage of part-time roles as they looked to ease into retirement or take on less demanding jobs but continue to play an important role in healthcare.
Mindi Boyle now works as the Care Coordinator and Discharge Planner at MRHC after working in healthcare for 28 years. Boyle started her career at the Business Office at MRHC and spent 13 years filling a variety of roles at the hospital. After making a career change and receiving her four-year degree, Boyle worked as the Social Services Coordinator at the Manning Plaza for 15 years. 
“After working for MRHC for 26 years, coming back felt like coming home,” said Boyle. “Working in a hospital setting has allowed me to continue to learn new things, help people, and stay connected in the healthcare arena on a part-time basis. I appreciate MRHC giving me the opportunity to continue working in healthcare and serving patients in a little different capacity than I had previously.”
Even after being away from the hospital setting for 15 years, MRHC staff have helped Boyle’s transition go as smoothly as possible and made it feel like she never left.
“Everyone at MRHC has been so welcoming and helpful. There is a team approach facility-wide to ensure that everyone, employees and staff, are taken care of with the utmost respect and care. We are fortunate to have such a progressive, professional, and compassionate healthcare facility in our community, and I am proud to be a part of that again,” shared Boyle.
Similarly, when Becki Ehlers reached retirement age after working in healthcare for over 30 years, nine of those spent in Admissions at MRHC, two as a receptionist at the Manning dental office, and 18 years as a chiropractic assistant and secretary, she was grateful to find a part-time role at MRHC. After seeing that the hospital needed a screener during the pandemic, she stepped out of retirement. 
“I wanted to help patients again because I missed being around people.” Ehlers shared. “I liked the options that were presented to me for a retired individual. I enjoy being around people, and I can still help out with my grandchildren and spend time with friends and family.”
Ehlers was able to continue working after her services were not needed as a screener anymore, and she now works part time in the HIM department.
After 48 years in healthcare, Laurie Stein is coming back to work part-time at MRHC as she transitions into retirement. Stein started her career in healthcare in Sac City as a medical assistant before becoming a certified medical assistant (CMA) and working in the Manning clinic for 35 years, seven of which she served as a CMA for Nancy Danner. She obtained her RN degree in 2010 and started at MRHC as a surgical and specialty nurse the following year. She obtained her BSN degree in 2013 and has been at the Carroll VA since then, providing primary care and mental health nursing to local veterans.
“I wanted to be closer to home instead of having to drive 20 plus miles one way to work every day,” shared Stein, RN, BSN. “I thought it would be great to come back full circle to the clinic setting that I originally started at when I first came to Manning.”
Stein will be assisting MRHC transition to their new electronic health record system and working as a nurse as needed in the clinic. Not only is she looking forward to being back at MRHC, she is appreciative of the opportunity to continue working in healthcare with less stress and more time for herself.
“This part-time status will allow flexibility in my schedule so I can enjoy some retirement time such as freedom to travel and more time for volunteer work in the community that I am very passionate about,” Stein said. “I know a lot of the staff at MRHC so I feel that I will fit in well with the team environment, and I am looking forward to working with everyone. I haven’t even started, and I already feel welcome.”
If you would like to join the MRHC team, visit www.mrhcia.com/careers or call (712) 655-2072 for more information on current job openings.