My Concordia Career: Diane Lynn’s 40 Year Concordia Story

Diane w KEF

Diane Lynn, RN, grew up across the road from Concordia at Cabot and as a child would come with her congregation from St. Luke Lutheran Church to perform Christmas programs for the residents.

“I think having contact with the elderly at a young age encouraged me to become a nurse,” she said. “I wanted to meet their needs when they were unable.”

Diane worked as a nurse aide for Concordia while attending nursing school. She earned her associate’s degree in nursing from Butler County Community College and later graduated from Slippery Rock University with a bachelor of science in nursing degree.

“Upon graduation, I went to work for a hospital, however, I was asked to return to Concordia when Markus Hall (now home to Concordia Visiting Nurses’ administrative office) was built and there was a need for more nurses,” she said. “I agreed and for many years I was able to walk to work.”

Diane has had a prolific Concordia career and has held many roles since her first day on May 28, 1980. In addition to her job as a nurse aide prior to earning her RN credentials, she has served as a healthcare supervisor, care plan coordinator, unit manager, support nurse, nurse aide instructor and charge nurse.

“Currently I am a charge nurse and provide direct care to the residents with medication and treatment,” she said. “My aim is to meet their needs as much as humanly possible.”

Diane has several favorite memories spanning her career, but most enjoys reminiscing about the beginning of her career.     

“I enjoyed the laughter and closeness we had at Concordia in the early years when it was just one building on campus,” she said. “I also enjoyed when Concordia would take the employees on coach buses to Pittsburgh Pirate games. And of course, when we took residents on school bus rides in the fall to get them ice cream.”

In 1989, Diane moved to her current residence with her husband Don, but  she said she missed being able to walk to Concordia and “will always remember unlocking the gate at the road so I could come to work.”

Diane and Don have two children, Heather, 31, and Amanda, 27, who are both on their own. She and her husband now share their home with her “adorable” cat Sherbert, who Diane calls “our baby.”

As Diane reflects on her career, it is evident that her passion to serve those in need is as vibrant today as it was four decades ago.

“I am thankful that God has enabled me to serve so many years,” she said. “I hope that I have helped the countless residents that He has placed in my path.”

We’d love to hear your future story! Find your next career by visiting www.concordiacareers.org.

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