As a Medely registry CNA/RNA, I have worked at many different facilities, and I can honestly say…read morethat Learning Services in Escondido stands out because of the people who make it feel welcoming, supportive, compassionate, and genuinely focused on the residents. Registry staff are often expected to walk into an unfamiliar facility, immediately understand everything, and figure things out alone. That was not my experience here, and a major reason for that was Shelby.
Shelby is truly the backbone of this place. She is not the type of person who simply comes to work and completes a shift. She shows up for people. She notices when someone is struggling, steps in when help is needed, and makes both staff and residents feel seen, respected, and valued.
There was one day when I was going through an extremely difficult situation involving my apartment, and I was honestly close to having a breakdown. I still came to work and tried to hold everything together, but Shelby could physically see that I was not doing okay. She did not ignore it, rush past me, or make me feel embarrassed for struggling. She came up to me, gave me a hug, supported me throughout the day, and helped me continue moving forward when I did not know how I was going to get through the shift. I will never forget that moment or the compassion she showed me when I needed it most.
That same compassion is reflected in how Shelby treats the residents. When residents need attention, she is there. When they are having a rough day, she is there. When they feel frustrated, emotional, overwhelmed, or simply need someone to listen, she is there. She has even come in on her off days when the facility needed her most. When we need her here, she is here. When we need her somewhere else, she is there. Her dedication is not something that can be taught--it comes from genuinely caring about people.
There is a saying: "Help one life and you are a hero. Help a hundred lives and you are a Certified Brain Injury Specialist." Shelby may officially hold that title, but she is so much more than that. She is a hero, a parent, a friend, a manager, a boss, a mentor, and a true team player. She carries all of those roles with strength, patience, compassion, and heart.
I also want to recognize Liz and Lorenza, because they have both played a huge role in making my experience positive. They were always willing to help with orientation, explain how things were done, answer questions, and step in whenever I asked for support. They never made me feel like I was a burden or like I should already know everything simply because I was registry.
Liz and Lorenza were also incredibly helpful when it came to communicating with Spanish-speaking residents. They stepped in to help make sure residents understood what was happening, felt comfortable, and had their needs properly communicated. That kind of support is extremely important in healthcare because every resident deserves to feel heard, understood, and respected, regardless of what language they speak.
What I appreciate most about this team is that they do not make registry workers feel like outsiders. At other facilities, I have been expected to figure everything out alone with little guidance, communication, or support. At Learning Services, Shelby, Liz, and Lorenza made me feel like part of the team. They helped me understand the residents, the routines, the expectations, and the environment. Their support motivated me to work harder because I knew I was surrounded by people who genuinely wanted me to succeed and provide the best care possible.
Even though I live very far away, I would absolutely make the drive back to work another shift at Learning Services. The distance would be worth it because of how welcoming, kind-hearted, patient, and open-minded the staff are. I sincerely hope that I can continue working with Shelby, Liz, Lorenza, and the rest of the team in the future.
I would also confidently recommend Learning Services in Escondido to families looking for a place where their loved one will be treated with dignity, compassion, patience, and genuine care. From what I have personally witnessed, the residents are not treated like numbers or tasks. They are treated like people, and the staff make a real effort to understand their individual needs.
Shelby, thank you for seeing me as a person before seeing me as an employee. Liz and Lorenza, thank you for guiding me, helping me communicate with residents, answering my questions, and stepping in whenever I needed support. The three of you made a lasting impact on me both professionally and personally.
Learning Services in Escondido is extremely fortunate to have people like Shelby, Liz, and Lorenza. They represent the kind of leadership, teamwork, and compassion that every healthcare facility should have.
