Someone once told me I take it too personally when employees leave our organization. Admittedly, I do. Early in my career I was very naive; I often thought people won’t ever want to leave and, more importantly, I wouldn’t be the type of leader who would “let” good people leave. Wow, did I have a lot to learn!

Today I realize if Friendship Haven was on someone’s path to fulfilling their dreams, how thankful should I be to have been a small part of their journey.

It struck me, though, that during the last 20-plus months people have left not to fulfill their dreams, but because this work has been much harder than they could have ever dreamed. We often do exit interviews when employees leave. I don’t have exact data to back this up, but the strain the pandemic has placed on long-term care workers is unlike any pressure we have ever seen. Not only are direct care workers leaving, but traditional leaders are leaving the field as well.

A compounding factor is at our doorstep now, and it’s a fact everyone should be aware of. Good people are leaving because good people are leaving. As someone who is technically “in charge,” this phenomenon isn’t an easy one to take on. Sure, many industries are facing work force issues today, I’m certainly not one to say ours is worse than others. The difference is ours directly involves human lives. These lives matter and are precious, and they deserve our very best.

My voice. My passion is for long-term care. My open letter to all who have left our field in the past 20-plus months, it’s time to come back. You once loved this work. You found joy and energy in this field. It made you smile, it made you laugh, and you made a huge difference in so many lives.

I’m sorry you felt underappreciated, overwhelmed and stressed beyond reason. It wasn’t fair, it still isn’t. But we need you. You can come back and be a part of the energy and the passion that will move us through this time. I understand you needed a break. I understand you needed to step away. It was too much, but come back home. The seniors you loved are here waiting for you. Your families miss you.

You can come back and make an immediate impact. I understand you needed a break, you needed to step away, you were tired. You need to know the work isn’t done. The recovery will take time; the best resource to help us guide our way through is you. There is a higher purpose. You once loved long-term care. Long term means there is a long commitment. This isn’t a field for the weak, it’s a profession for the strong hearted. I get it, you were weary but never weak. Rejoin us and see your work through.

It’s not too late to come back. I understand why you left. I also understand there is something deep inside of you that misses this work, that craves the hug of someone who you love and who you worked… no lived alongside… so that they could enjoy life to the fullest during the time in their life where they deserve the most honor and compassion.

My open letter to those who have left, come back. We need you, they need you. We need you to help show the new people entering our field for the first time this work is bigger than a job. It’s a chance to impact lives it the most intimate, loving ways possible.

It is personal when someone leaves. It’s also very personal when someone comes back or joins us for the first time. Not everyone has the aptitude for it. I will promise you, if you remain open to it you will not only impact the lives of others but the work will impact your life in an unexpected and unforgettable way.

Julie Thorson is president and CEO of Friendship Haven