Jill.OldhamRyder@cassialife.org
1900 Stoney Point Road SW
Brandi Simmons believes nursing is more than a career—it’s a privilege.
As director of health services at Stoney Point Meadows in Cedar Rapids, she brings heart, humility and hands-on leadership to everything she does.
After 15 years in long-term care, Brandi believes senior living is where she belongs.
From supporting residents in their day-to-day lives to showing up for her team and her own family, Brandi’s approach to nursing is rooted in relationships, balance and a deep respect for the people she cares for every day.
Finding Her Calling in Senior Living
Growing up in southern Iowa, Brandi was intrigued by healthcare at an early age.
“My dad was a fireman and EMT when I was growing up and I remember his medical books were always interesting,” she says.
She studied nursing at Kirkwood Community College, landed a job at a nursing home and worked there during her education to become a Registered Nurse. Initially, she wanted to be a neonatal intensive care nurse.
“Landing this job in a nursing home absolutely changed my mind,” Brandi says.
Relationships that Feel Like Family
Brandi realized she enjoyed getting to know people and caring for them every day, rather than in a hospital setting. She values getting to know tenants and coworkers alike.
“Relationships are huge,” Brandi says. “You just gain a whole new family. It’s not just the tenants. I really enjoy my staff. They become your family, too. I’m with them 40-plus hours a week, right. I see them more than my own kids and husband.”
Rooted in Family and Balance
Brandi and her husband Troy have a teenaged daughter named Aubree and a 12-year-old son named Camden. Aubree works in the kitchen at Stoney Point Meadows and she and Camden are both very active in sports.
“Stoney Point has been the most amazing place to work and allows me to attend all of my children’s events,” Brandi says. “This is something we instill in all of our staff at Stoney Point to create a good work-life balance.”
A Hands-On Leadership Philosophy
Brandi strives to lead by example.
“I’m never going to ask my staff to do something that I wouldn’t do,” Brandi says.
Earlier in her career, she had seen managers do just that, and she vowed to be different.
“I’m really hands on,” she says. “I’m going to help somebody to the restroom. I’m going to take out the trash. I’m going to serve the food. All the jobs are all my job here.”
Inside the Role: Director of Health Services
In her position, many things fall under her purview: hiring, training, ongoing education and support for staff, walkthroughs of the building, nursing evaluations, working with a mental health therapist and nurse practitioners who serve the tenants and more.
She looks out for her coworkers and tenants.
“We are humans taking care of humans,” she says.
Embracing the Unpredictable
With so many responsibilities, no two days are the same. Brandi embraces the variety and challenges each day brings.
“Every day is different,” she says. “It’s the joy of the job. You never know what you’re going to get.”
Staying organized helps prepare for the unpredictable and respond accordingly. She has a routine but is always ready to pivot as needed.
“Some days there might be an emergency with a tenant I need to tend to, and so the schedule can wait a bit,” Brandi says. “You have to look at priorities. What’s the most acute? What’s the most in need? I tend to that. I think you have to be a well-organized person.”
‘We Have the Best Team’
To Brandi, the Stoney Point Meadows staff features team players who work well together.
“We have genuine people here for the right reasons,” she says. “We communicate well and talk things through. The teamwork is great. They just jump in. It just feels good. Everybody is smiling; everyone says, ‘Hello. Can I help you?’”
Brandi says even those from outside of the senior living community take notice, as evidenced by a conversation with someone who interviewed for a position at Stoney Point Meadows.
“She said, ‘I used to be a delivery driver and every time I came in here, you were all so nice,’” Brandi recalls. “That speaks to our community.”
Nursing an Honor and a Privilege
Brandi considers herself blessed to be able to work as a nurse.
“Not everyone gets to do this and be a nurse and make a difference in people’s lives,” she says. “It’s an honor. Every day when I leave my job, I look at life differently. I always have something positive, something that made me smile.”
Whether that is a tenant sharing a story, telling a joke or giving a thank-you card, Brandi values it all and considers it a privilege to be a nurse.
Advice for Future Nurses
She wants others to experience those joys and the pride of making a difference.
“If you are considering a career in senior living, go for it,” Brandi says. “If you’re looking for those relationships and those jobs that fill that tank at the end of the day, a job that is very much rewarding, get into healthcare for sure.”
An Honor and a Joy
Every day, Brandi is greeted by familiar faces and small moments that remind her why she chose this path. A group of men drinking coffee who say “good morning,” followed by a check-in with staff, creates a sense of belonging that feels genuine.
“That’s truly what keeps me going,” she says.
After 15 years in senior living, Brandi remains grounded in the meaning of her work and grateful for the chance to make a difference in people’s lives.
“It’s an honor being a nurse,” she says. “It’s a joy.”
Whether you are exploring assisted living or memory care in Cedar Rapids or are looking for a workplace built on teamwork, compassion and connection, we invite you to explore our careers page or reach out to Stoney Point Meadows and experience the difference for yourself.