Answering the call: Nele’s journey to a fulfilling career in healthcare
Tuesday, March 11, 2025
Still, it wasn’t until she took the leap into becoming a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) with the guidance of Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) and the Flourish program that she truly understood the impact she could have on others.
Nele Niday never expected to find herself in healthcare, but looking back now, she realizes that the profession had been calling her all along. Raised in a family where healthcare was a constant topic of conversation, she grew up surrounded by stories of caregiving and dedication.
Still, it wasn’t until she took the leap into becoming a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) with the guidance of Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) and the Flourish program that she truly understood the impact she could have on others.
“It’s a special job,” she says. “You don’t pick the career; it picks you,” Nele said.
Her journey into healthcare wasn’t always easy. A naturally shy person, Nele had struggled with anxiety, making it difficult to imagine herself in a role that required constant interaction with people. However, she pushed through, determined to find a meaningful career. She found that fulfillment at Sisters of the Presentation in Dubuque, where she now works as a CNA caring for the nuns who have dedicated their lives to helping others.
“A personal favorite thing of mine is that I do like the nuns,” she shares with a smile. “They are really unique people. They spent their lives helping others, so now it’s my turn to help them.”
The work is not only fulfilling but has also given her a sense of confidence she never expected. Though she describes herself as reserved, the praise and appreciation she receives from the people she cares for have made her feel valued in a way she never imagined.
No two days are the same in long-term care, which is something Nele enjoys. Each shift brings new challenges, new experiences and new moments of connection with the residents she assists. Whether it’s offering a kind word, helping with daily tasks or simply being there to listen, she knows that her work has meaning.
For Nele, becoming a CNA wasn’t just about earning a certification—it was about proving to herself that she could do something she never thought possible. Seeing her official badge still brings her a sense of pride.
“I mean, it’s so cool! Every now and then, I look down and see that badge that says I’m ‘certified’ – it’s a fun factor for me. I’m glad I did it. I remain happy in my job,” she said.
Part of her success, she acknowledges, came from the support she received through the Flourish program, which provided a flexible learning environment that worked for her needs. Having access to multiple learning tools, including an audiobook format, made the process much easier.
NICC, with partners Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Goodwill Industries and Dubuque Community Schools, help guide the Fourish program to assist individuals with challenges and disabilities to obtain better employment, more fulfilling work and higher wages.
With her CNA certification in hand, Nele is already thinking about what might come next. While she once never considered advancing her education, she’s begun to entertain the idea of climbing higher in the nursing field.
“I have bounced back and forth on the thought of advancing my education. Maybe I could climb a couple more tiers in nursing. I would NEVER have considered it before I accomplished my CNA class, but since then, I’ve kept an open mind about furthering my education,” Nele said.
For now, though, she is happy where she is, making a difference in the lives of those she cares for every day. Healthcare may have chosen her, but now she’s choosing to embrace it wholeheartedly.