Nursing Defined: Dedication, Professionalism & Quality

Diane Van Ryn, RN, has been a registered nurse for 43 years. A Boston native, Diane attended Alfred University in western New York, where she earned a bachelor's degree with a dual major in nursing and psychology. Immediately after graduation, Diane moved to Florida, where she has enjoyed a fulfilling and diverse nursing career. In 2025, we were fortunate enough to have her join the Take Care Private Duty Home Health Care as a “field” nurse, helping individual clients in their private homes.

Recently, we asked Diane to share a few words about her experience working with Take Care during an internal meeting. As a team, we were moved by her sentiments and are delighted she felt comfortable sharing her observations publicly on our website as well.

When I think of my career in nursing, three words come to mind:
Dedication
Professionalism
Quality

The first 38 years of my nursing career were absolutely wonderful. Unfortunately, the pandemic changed everything. I found myself looking to make a change during the COVID era. At the time, the hiring environment was crazy. As I began looking for a new position, it seemed every company wanted to hire me as a nurse immediately. The recruitment processes I encountered were impersonal. They didn’t know me, and I didn’t know the specific job, details about the company culture, or their commitment to patient care. During phone interviews, I wanted to ask questions about the company and the position. But my interest was dismissed; many of these companies were desperately trying to hire nurses, perhaps any nurse at the time. And while I was an already an experienced RN – yes, I could have performed the duties of any of those positions – what I was seeking was a return to those key values. I was seeking a role where dedication, professionalism and quality still mattered.

So what happened?

When talking with a dear, long-time friend (Kim), she understood my frustrations, and through her own past work with Take Care, she knew the alternative I was seeking. I wasn’t aware of Take Care personally, but I believed Kim and valued her recommendation – she felt I would encounter something altogether different there – I told my husband, I think I’m going to work for this company called Take Care.

After taking a moment and a summer vacation, I called Take Care and landed a face-to-face interview. I knew the second I walked in that Take Care was different. This was the old nursing that I knew.

Upon arrival, I had a wonderful interaction at the front desk and then began the interview with Talent Acquisition Manager Rhonda Boeckmann in Human Resources. Rhonda asked great, appropriate questions. She explained, before moving on to the next step, that I’d need to take a nursing test. I thought requiring that nursing assessment was impressive. Proof that the company cared about the quality of nursing knowledge applicants were bringing to the table.

Next, I met with Clinical Director Diane Michael, RN. It was wonderful to talk nursing – real nursing. Diane asked great questions. It was a great interview because we both had an opportunity to see if I was a good fit. Everything added up well.

After the formal interview steps were complete, they said we want you to meet the owner of the company. I was surprised! And, of course, delighted. Meeting Sue, I could see immediately that, as the founder and owner, she set the tone. All those values came through strongly from her. Meeting Sue solidified that joining Take Care was the right choice for me.

As I started working in the field and introduced myself, I met so many caregivers and nurses who reported working with Take Care for 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 years! It was amazing to hear and see the impact of that loyalty, from my colleagues committing to make an impact here and from the company to the team members. Now that I’m actively working in the field, I love seeing how true and real my positive impressions were. We do it right – and that matters when it comes to medication verification, part of my current duties.

Personally, I’m nearing retirement. I could have ended my career holding to the bitterness that resulted in COVID-era changes at many health care providers. But, thankfully, I believe in nursing again. Thanks to Take Care, I get to wind down my career with confidence and comfort in nursing done right – again. I could cry tears of happiness and thankfulness just thinking about it.

With flexible scheduling and crystal clear expectations, I love my current role as a field nurse providing private home care and also handling medication set-ups. And as I look forward to my early retirement years, I hope to continue making an impact with more part-time or on-call work in the future. I feel like I'll always have a place here within the Take Care family.

Coming to Take Care for me has been coming home. Coming home to a company that believes in those same core values:
Dedication
Professionalism
Quality

There’s always a place for the right people at Take Care. Click here to browse current job openings and learn more about working at Take Care.