NRC Welcomes Laura Oldenburg as Administrative Intern

Laura Oldenburg, a native of Belle Plaine, joins the Northfield Retirement Community staff for the year as the new Administrative Intern. Laura is enrolled in the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire’s Health Care Administration Program, focusing on long-term care administration.

Oldenburg says, “What interests me most is learning how to improve both the quality of care for residents and the work environment for staff. That is one of the main reasons I hoped to intern with NRC specifically. I could tell right away that I would receive a comprehensive and high quality education here.”

NRC has an extensive history of taking on interns, four of whom have also been from Oldenburg’s program at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. NRC President and CEO Kyle Nordine says, “We are known for the excellent quality of care we offer here at NRC, making our internship positions highly sought after. We are happy to be partnering with programs like Laura’s, cultivating strong relationships with nearby universities. As a leader in the senior services arena, we’re pleased to invest in next-generation leaders to ensure that they are well prepared for success in the field.”

As an introduction to NRC, Oldenburg experienced a day in the life of a resident, during which she spent 24 hours at NRC, approaching the situation as if she were a new resident. She says, “I think this kind of experience provides a really important foundation for anyone going into health care.”

During her first few months at NRC, Oldenburg will complete rotations, cycling through the various departments (maintenance and grounds, housing, fundraising, administration, nursing, etc.) for an overview of the inner workings of a long-term care facility. In October, her internship will continue, engaging her in several leadership projects and allowing her to split her internship between NRC and the Lutheran Home Association.

Oldenburg became interested in health care administration after working at a retirement home in her hometown, which she thoroughly enjoyed. She is close to her grandparents, and spending time with them has given her insight as to what families experience with aging relatives and the importance of respect and compassion.

During her time at NRC, Oldenburg is excited to meet and get to know residents and staff. She says, “From what I have seen so far, I am very impressed by the support the staff gets at NRC, the general kindness and animation of both the residents and staff, and the varying levels of assistance available to residents.” Off to a rigorous start, Laura has found the internship to be educational and fulfilling. “There is definitely a learning curve,” she says, laughing, “but I am excited to go to work each day. I can’t wait to see what I will learn next.”