Employee Spotlight: Valerie Marinello, CNA
When Valerie Marinello saw a flyer for the MCMCFC Scholarship posted on the break room door, she decided to apply.
That decision really paid off.
The scholarship, awarded through the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation, is helping Valerie continue her nursing education at the University of Michigan, where she is working toward her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
For Valerie, this recognition is another step in a journey that started with a summer job at Grand Traverse Pavilions.
She was 17 years old when she was hired as a universal worker. At the time, she was simply looking for work experience. Instead, she discovered a passion for caring for older adults.
Today, she works as a CNA while balancing the demands of nursing school. And while many students talk about bringing classroom knowledge into patient care, Valerie says her experience has worked in reverse.
"I take what I learn here at the Pavilions back to the classroom," she said.
The hands-on skills and resident relationships she developed at the Pavilions have helped shape her nursing education. She said her instructors have been impressed by the patient care skills she has gained through her work.
Valerie hopes to become a nurse practitioner specializing in geriatric care, a goal that feels like a natural extension of the work she already loves.
When asked what advice she would give someone considering a career in healthcare, her answer came quickly:
"Become a CNA first."
She believes there is no better way to learn the fundamentals of patient care, build confidence, and understand what residents need from their caregivers.
Valerie's scholarship reflects the hard work, compassion, and dedication she brings to both her studies and her residents every day. We are proud to celebrate this well-deserved recognition and wish her all the best as she continues her education and pursues her goal of becoming a nurse practitioner specializing in geriatric care.
