Although she had considered becoming a physician, Allyson Hurst found her true calling is nursing. She is putting that passion into action as the new director of nursing at Heritage Pointe of Warren senior living community, which offers independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing and rehab.
While studying pre-med at Indiana University-Purdue University (IUPUI) in Indianapolis, Hurst took a job as a nursing assistant and discovered that having close contact and building connections with patients, rather than having short visits with them, was what she really wanted to do.
“I realized that physicians really only spend 15 minutes a day with their patients. I knew I wanted to interact with patients for longer times,” she says.
Hurst, who took on her new role in December, has continued to increase her education and skills over the 20-some years since she discovered her passion in that nursing assistant job.
She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Indiana University-Purdue University, went on to receive a Master’s degree in nursing leadership and management from Western Governors University and is currently pursuing a doctorate in nursing practice.
Prior to joining the team at Heritage Pointe, she worked in emergency nursing. She then was chief nursing officer for four and half years at an acute rehabilitation facility in Fort Wayne.
She was drawn to Heritage Pointe for its sterling reputation for ensuring high-quality health care for residents. She plans to continue to bolster and grow that practice by ensuring that the nursing staff has all they need to excel in their jobs.
“My mission is to support and build our nursing teams to provide residents with the best care possible,” she says.
She also wants to help residents enjoy their lives as fully as possible.
“I want to be a driving force to provide the education, and the resources residents need to continue to live as independently as possible,” she says.
Hurst enjoys working with older people because of their interesting life stories and wisdom they have to share.
“I just love hearing about their lives and building those connections with them,” she says.
Heritage Pointe of Warren
Heritage Pointe of Warren, which provides a vibrant lifestyle is located in the charming country setting of Warren, Indiana. The senior living community is situated on a 200+ acre rural campus featuring an on-site golf course, heated indoor pool, fitness area, woodshop, and more. Heritage Pointe of Warren offers independent living in villas, townhomes, or apartments. Assisted living, memory care, short-term rehabilitation, outpatient therapy, and long-term skilled care are provided on the same campus, thus offering a complete continuum of care, also known as Life Plan. Heritage Pointe of Warren is owned and operated by The United Methodist Memorial Home, an Indiana non-profit founded in 1907. To learn more about Heritage Pointe of Warren, visit www.LifeAtHeritage.org.
