We are celebrating Nurses Week from May 6 through May 12! What an amazing time to recognize the Fusion team members who took the step into a selfless career. They make all of our employees better by sharing what it’s like to care for people’s loved ones, and we are honoring them this week by showcasing who they are and why they chose to be a nurse.  

Fusion is lucky enough to have 16 LPNs and RNs work alongside us every day. Take a minute to read their stories and learn what we should know about the nurses in our lives. 

Meet Fusion’s Nurses 

Kim Robinson, RN 

“I decided to pursue a career in nursing for two main reasons. First, my grandmother was a nurse, and I have always admired her dedication and the impact she made in the field. Second, my younger sister was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at a young age and spent a significant amount of time in the hospital. Witnessing her care and the support provided by the nurses during that challenging time solidified my desire to become a nurse. These experiences have deeply influenced my decision to dedicate my life to nursing.” – Kim

 

Erin Schlake, LPN 

“My journey into nursing was deeply personal. Growing up, I saw firsthand the fragility of life and the importance of compassionate care. My father was a funeral director, guiding families through their most difficult moments with dignity and respect. Meanwhile, my mother lived with cerebellar ataxia, a progressive and debilitating condition. Throughout her illness, she received private duty nursing and eventually hospice care — experiences that deeply impacted my understanding of what true support looks like during vulnerable times. After my mother’s passing, I watched my father, a Type I diabetic, face his own health battles. Even after undergoing a pancreatic transplant, he ultimately succumbed to complications from West Nile virus. Walking beside both of my parents through their health journeys opened my eyes to the critical role that home care, palliative support, and hospice services play — not just for patients, but for families. I became a nurse to be part of that circle of care — to offer families the kind of compassion, expertise, and advocacy that meant so much to my own. Specializing in home care and hospice allows me to honor the dignity of every life, ease the burdens families carry, and make sure that no one has to navigate illness or end-of-life care alone.

Nursing, for me, is not just a career — it’s a tribute to my parents and a calling to serve others with the same kindness and strength that supported my own family.” – Erin

 

Katie Lang, RN 

“Nursing is probably one of the toughest jobs out there. It’s mentally, physically, and emotionally challenging, yet usually understaffed and often thankless. I decided to become a nurse because I had a college planning conversation with my parents, and I was deciding between nursing and teaching. I did some volunteering at the local Children’s Hospital while in high school and enjoyed spending time with the children and hospital staff. I could see myself working in healthcare but also could see myself as a teacher. In this conversation with my parents, my mother suggested that I could become a nurse, then one day “teach” nursing down the road. When you are 18 years old, decision making can be that simple, so I chose nursing. As I have moved forward and grown in my career, I now realize how important that decision was at the time. I am so grateful I chose nursing. It has offered so many opportunities for myself and my family.” – Katie

 

Casey Morrison, RN 

“I decided to become a nurse because I have always loved biology, and I am fascinated by the way the human body works. The combination of my love of science and desire to help others led me to nursing. Remember when you are interacting with nurses in your life, saying thank you goes such a long way to feeling appreciated for the work you do!” – Casey

 

Aaron Polak, RN 

 

Holly Fenn, LPN 

“I have always liked to help people, and one day it dawned on me that I should work in the medical field. I know that is not as prolific as some people’s stories, but hey epiphanies happen randomly. Nurses have harder jobs than you can imagine on your worst day. When a nurse has a bad day, it can be dealing with the death of their favorite patient, a life cut too short, or a mass casualty situation. Give them grace and just let them know you will be there when they are ready.” – Holly

  

Tammy Martin, RN 

“I chose to become a nurse because I always had a strong desire to help others. I have always believed that when you give yourself to others, you receive much more in return. Nursing allowed me to function in many settings and roles that were impactful to others.  Nurses are strong, determined, goal-oriented, and giving by nature. It is hard to keep a good nurse down. We are fighters and winners by nature.” – Tammy

 

Jarrad Griffith, RN 

“I became a Nurse to follow a passion of a previous medical profession and to help make a difference in the lives of people and patients that I was privileged to interact with. Nurses are one of the most critical pieces of the medical team, and I am grateful to work with Fusion travelers and have so many on our Fusion team.” – Jarrad

 

Emily Coniglio, RN 

“I am the oldest of 6 children and have always been helping ‘care’ for people and things my whole life. I grew up on a farm, and my mom says from a young age I was always trying to save kittens and animals on the farm when they would get hurt or their mom would get hit by a car (the morbid truth of farm life). I don’t know that there was ever another profession I was really interested in. I spent most of my bedside career in post-partum/mother baby and loved (mostly) every part of it 😉.” – Emily

 

Carly Snider, LPN 

“The reason I became a nurse is because I’ve always wanted to help others, make a difference, and I have always had a special bond with elderly people. Nursing is more than a career — it’s a calling. Whether it’s holding a patient’s hand during a difficult time or advocating for their needs when they can’t, or just making a resident smile or laugh, being a nurse allows me to make a real difference every single day. I had the amazing and rewarding opportunity to work in nursing homes, adult day care, assisted living, and memory care. The last 12 years of my nursing career I specialized in being the Director of Nursing in Memory Care, caring for Alzheimer’s and dementia residents. The human connection — the ability to bring comfort, healing, and support — is what inspired me to become a nurse, and what continues to motivate me.” – Carly

 

Kassie Gleaves, RN 

 

Katie Anvari, RN 

“Nursing school, and the work itself, challenged me in ways I never expected. What I didn’t realize then was that I wasn’t just starting a new career — I was rewiring my brain. Nursing became the lens through which I now see the world and the full spectrum of the human experience. There were many moments when I thought, “I can’t believe I’m actually doing this.” Now, I can’t imagine having done anything else. Nurses carry so much silently including grief, stress, and moments they rarely have time to process.  

Every patient reminds them of someone they love. Even when they stay composed, the weight adds up. So if a nurse seems guarded or worn down, offer patience and care. They give so much of themselves—more than most will ever know—and they deserve that same care in return.” – Katie

 

Andrea Bohnenkamp, LPN 

“My whole life I knew I wanted to work in the medical field. My mom and several other family members had chronic illnesses while I was growing up. I loved to help when I could. As I got older, I was allowed to participate more in their care. The ability to help people in need feeds my soul. When I entered college, I was pre-med. But as I started to work while attending school, I found a love for nursing and the hands-on aspect of being involved in their care. Fusion sees nurses from a different aspect than the facilities, staff, residents and families. We see that they have a family they are leaving behind to go across the country to help a facility with a staffing shortage. They always ask for the highest pay but in all reality, they want a team behind them that hears them, sees them as humans, and encourages them to keep pushing. Because those days at the facility will be tough. They will work long hours. They will have higher ratios. Some of the other staff will be nasty to them. Help them remember why they are traveling. Traveling doesn’t have to be forever, but we do need to provide those residents with the professional care they deserve. And that professionalism starts with Fusion as a whole. They (the travelers) are part of the Fusion story. Because without travelers, Fusion is a call center.” – Andrea

 

Nick Jasay

 

Kayla Bregg, RN 

“I had been volunteering at a nursing home my senior year and enjoyed working with the elderly and helping others.  I decided to obtain my CNA so I could provide in home care to my great grandmother who had dementia and decided to advance my career and go to nursing school for more opportunities in the healthcare field.  I continued to work with seniors as a CNA and Medication Aide through nursing school and became an Assistant Director of Nursing in an Assisted Living when I graduated with me LPN and eventually moved into a Director of Nursing role after going back to school to obtain my RN.  Nurses are the heartbeat of healthcare – strong, compassionate and always willing to go the extra mile.  Nurses are real-life superheroes!” – Kayla

 

Randee Otte, RN 

Happy Nurses Week to all!