Michelle Lake’s career journey at Perham Health – from a housekeeper to becoming a registered nurse, with several jobs in between – combines dedication and support.

Michelle began her career at Perham Health nine years ago as a junior in high school, “I wasn’t sure where I wanted to go with my career,” Michelle reflects. “I was still in high school and doing post-secondary online courses to work during the day and study at night. I saw a job as a housekeeper and applied.”

During her time as a housekeeper, Michelle met several nurses who encouraged her to pursue a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification. She enrolled in a CNA class taught at Perham Living and, when completed, started working as a CNA at Perham Health. CNAs do various jobs that help nurses and patients, such as bringing food to patients, transporting patients to other areas of the hospital, stocking medical supplies, and logging patient information.

She spent her senior year working as a CNA, and that is when she realized she wanted to be a nurse. “I liked the work and the variety. Every day was different, and that’s what excited me. The nurses were great about allowing me to watch procedures and learn new things, and they encouraged me to go to nursing school,” Michelle explained. So, she enrolled.

The summer before nursing school started, she switched to working in the emergency department as an ED tech. She would room patients, take their vitals, obtain supplies for nurses and patients, run lab specimens to the lab, toilet patients, watch patients who needed constant supervision, and clean rooms after discharge.

Michelle wanted to continue working as a CNA while in college, and Perham Health helped her do that.

Balancing school and work was challenging, but her managers were understanding and supportive. When her schedule became overwhelming, she talked with several people about other jobs within Perham Health that might give her more flexibility. They suggested she look into becoming a patient access representative. The position was the evening shift from 3 to 11, which would give her more flexibility.

She transitioned to a patient access representative during her sophomore year of college. The more predictable work allowed her to manage her studies better.

“My managers were always flexible with my schedule. I could switch shifts when needed, and they allowed me to do some schoolwork during slower times,” Michelle recalls. This flexibility helped her juggle her college responsibilities with her work commitments.

Michelle earned her registered nurse license and started working as a nurse in 2018. “I never had to wait to start my nursing position. It was a smooth transition because I already knew the staff and the environment,” she says.

Reflecting on her progression, Michelle credits her nurse mentors at Perham Health for their guidance. “They were instrumental in educating and encouraging me along the way.”

Perham Health’s culture of teamwork and support played a significant role in Michelle’s journey. “Everyone works together, and management is always willing to accommodate if something comes up,” she says. “It’s a friendly, collaborative environment where people genuinely want to help each other.”

Today, Michelle works as an OB nurse in the Family Birth Center, a position she loves. “I enjoy helping bring life into the world and educating new parents. It’s incredibly fulfilling to help people get the delivery experience they want.”

Michelle’s journey from housekeeper to RN, and all the jobs in between, demonstrates the opportunities for growth and development at Perham Health. Her story highlights the importance of mentorship, flexibility, and a supportive work environment, proving that with determination and the right support, anyone can advance their career in healthcare.

Michelle offers advice for those considering a healthcare career: “Take the opportunities when they come, and don’t be afraid to ask for support. You’ll find people here who want to help you succeed.”

About Perham Health 

Perham Health is a 25-bed Critical Access Hospital with three primary care clinics, a 96-bed nursing home, home health care agency, adult day services, memory care assisted living, and senior housing.  The medical staff consists of 24 physicians, a nurse midwife, 14 advance practice clinicians, and three chiropractors. Visit perhamhealth.org to learn more.