We are IH: Retired nurse still makes difference in long-term care

Over the years, her career has taken her in many directions. She’s worked in psychiatry, mental health, coordinated mobile mammography clinics in remote northern Indigenous communities and held leadership roles across the health system.

Yet despite the variety, one place has always felt like home.

"My passion has always been long-term care,” she says.

Today, although retired, Kelli continues to work as a casual nurse with Interior Health, bringing decades of experience wherever she's needed most. No two days are ever the same.

“Most of the time I'm the care coordinator, which means running around putting out little fires all day long,” she laughs. “I’m frequently involved in projects, often helping care homes with initiatives or ‘to do’ lists that nobody has time to do."

It’s a role that perfectly suits someone who has never believed in limitations.

“For some people, being a psychiatric nurse has limitations, but I've never believed that,” Kelli says.

She credits much of her career to what she jokingly calls her “I can do anything” attitude.

“I’ve done some things that, when I look back, I think, ‘I didn’t know anything about that, but did it anyways.’ That was nuts!”

That willingness to step forward has allowed her to support countless teams and patients throughout her career, especially during challenging times.

One memory still makes her smile.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, while serving as Long-Term Care Clinical Coordinator at Three Links Manor in Kelowna, Kelli and her team organized an outdoor concert to lift residents’ spirits.

“Everyone was exactly six feet apart, outdoors, and the band was at the back of the grounds,” she recalls.

She says the residents were thrilled.

“They hooted and hollered and smiled from ear to ear. This was such a bleak time in our past, and looking back, it was 100 per cent worth it,” Kelli says.

For Kelli, moments like these reinforce why relationships matter.

Her favourite part of nursing isn’t paperwork or administration; it's helping others grow.

Those who work alongside Kelli quickly discover that her approach extends well beyond clinical skills. She believes kindness should be the foundation of every interaction.

“Nobody is better than anyone else. Just be kind to everyone and you never have to worry about offending anyone."

Outside of work, Kelli enjoys planning adventures with her husband. The couple loves travelling in their RV, carefully mapping out a few trips each year, often somewhere warmer during the colder months.

“I’m a glamper,” she admits. “I camp, but I enjoy all of my extra comforts in the RV.”

Many people are surprised to learn another chapter of Kelli’s life. Before moving to B.C. in 2007, she and her husband owned and operated a martial arts school in Alberta.

“I have a third-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, and the broken bones to prove it!”

While retirement may eventually mean more travel and fewer shifts, Kelli isn’t defined solely by her career.

Ask what she's most proud of, and the answer comes without hesitation.

“My proudest accomplishment is raising three rowdy boys to be wonderful, kind men who have smart, kind and beautiful spouses,” she says.

Today, she also cherishes time with her two grandchildren, and says her faith continues to be an important part of her life.

After a lifetime spent caring for others, mentoring colleagues and embracing every new challenge that came her way, Kelli's legacy isn’t measured by the number of roles she’s held or projects she’s completed.

It’s reflected in the people she’s encouraged, the residents whose lives she’s brightened and the simple philosophy that has guided her throughout her career: just be kind.

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