Caring for residents of Broadway House for Continuing Care doesn’t stop when the sun goes down. Meet Evening Supervisor Marvean Dixon-Phillips, RN, who keeps everything running smoothly during the overnight hours.
What’s your current role?
I wear many hats in the evening—I guess you could say that I do a little bit of everything. When administration leaves for the evening, it’s up to the supervisor to oversee the building, make sure that policies are followed, and everything continues to run smoothly. As the supervisor on duty, I’m called for emergencies, to help deal with challenges with residents, and to handle administrative, staffing, and nursing issues. I also process new admissions, which often take place in the evening. Communication is important, too. Everything has to be well documented on the evening shift so the appropriate disciplines on the day shift follow up.
What brought you to Broadway House?
May 9 was my 13th anniversary at Broadway House, but I’ve been in nursing for 38 years. I was in acute care for 23 years, much of that time at United Hospital in Newark. I first worked in gynecology/medicine/surgery, then went to same day surgery for 11 years, handling pre-op and post-op services and teaching patients. For a time, I worked simultaneously at United Hospital and in long-term care, and really enjoyed it. When United Hospital closed, I moved to long-term care full time.
What’s special about Broadway House?
I love working at Broadway House! Residents are admitted with a lot of issues—medical, economic, substance abuse, housing, and more. We have one-stop shopping for all their needs. Broadway House provides social services, substance abuse counseling, three infectious disease doctors on staff, a DNP, a dietitian to help them become nutritionally sound, and nursing to take care of them. If residents want to return to the community, Broadway House will get them to that point and help them get back on their feet. Many are so broken when they arrive. To watch them flourish from the brokenness that brought them here is inspiring. It’s very rewarding to be able to see them thrive and go back into the community.
What’s the secret to great nursing?
I always tell my staff that you treat people the way you want your loved ones or yourself to be treated. Everyone is a human being regardless of the road they’ve travelled in life. I ask God to guide my mind and hear and help me to take care of all the people entrusted to my care.
