OMNI encourages promotion from within, says administrator
Thursday November 1, 2007 -- Deron Hamel
Before becoming administrator and nursing administrative services manager (NASM) at Kentwood Park, Tina Cole worked nights as a registered practical nurse (RPN), at the Picton long-term care home.

After 11 years working in this capacity, Cole, a graduate of Loyalist College’s nursing program, was promoted to NASM in 2002.

Originally, Cole says she wanted to become a registered nurse, but chose to go the administration route instead.

In February 2006, she was approached by OMNI’s projects director Candace Chartier about becoming Kentwood’s administrator, which she accepted.

The heavy emphasis OMNI puts on personal development has had a big impact on Cole’s career and allowed her to grow within the company.

“I think it’s fabulous,” she says of OMNI’s support. “I really don’t think I would have had that opportunity had I worked for a different employer. They’ve promoted so many people from within.”

Cole cites OMNI’s new manager training program as an example of the many high-quality educational initiatives the company offers to invest in its employees’ future.

OMNI’s bursary program, an educational incentive which reimburses employees up to $500 for any educational program they complete, is another avenue OMNI uses to encourage employees to move up OMNI’s ladder.

“There’s a lot of opportunity within the company to move forward, if that’s what you’re interested in,” she says, adding that OMNI encourages staff members to reach their full potential.

It’s this strong faith in the employees that Cole says sets the company apart from many others.

This, she notes, is a factor nursing graduates should consider when thinking about their future career plans. The educational programs and support are “great incentives” for nursing grads to join the OMNI family, she says.

Cole says the support she receives from the company has never waned, even after she became Kentwood’s administrator.

“It was a big leap forward for me, but they’re always willing to help you and to provide you with training and make sure you succeed,” she says.