After over 35 years of service, 22 with Nexus-Kindred Family Healing, Nancy Kagel, Social Worker, will be retiring this spring. Social workers are a critical part for the work we do at Nexus Family Healing. To celebrate her retirement, we sat down with Nancy to reflect on her career in social work.
Nancy originally went to school for early childhood education, but after an internship, decided it wasn’t for her and began looking at other subjects to study.
“I was talking to my counselor at the college about it, “said Nancy, “I took a social work history course…it was very interesting to me, people working with different cultures, the poverty, how social work came to be, etc. I took a few more courses and that was that.”
After graduating with a Bachelors in Social Work, Nancy started working as a program manager at a group home for medically fragile children, then as a discharge planner at a hospital and nursing home then moving to work in Tribal Child Protection. Looking for a change, Nancy interviewed and began her journey with Nexus-Kindred (PATH at the time).
Nancy has experienced many joys and challenges throughout her long career, working with youth and families of different backgrounds and cultures, while keeping up with new technology and policy changes over the years.
“What’s challenging can be when you disagree with a placing agency,” said Nancy, “Reunification is a good thing, but sometimes youth can go back too soon…paperwork and new technology can also be tough to keep up with.”
But there are many joys in the work as well. Nancy is always happy to attend adoption finalizations, as well as participating in reunifications of youth with their families.
Over the many cases Nancy has had over the years, one that stood out to her was a 3-year-old foster child who needed to have in-home dialysis while in a Nexus-Kindred foster home. This little girl also received a kidney transplant during that time. She had to have in-home nursing and round the clock care. Nancy would check in often and provide support for the foster parents.
“This little girl was in and out of the hospital, and the foster family stayed with her…they would drive back and forth, excellent foster parents,” said Nancy, “…she was just the sweetest little girl…that was probably the most intensive case I’ve had…I was there so much…I was always worried about her.”
The little girl was able to get a kidney transplant, which required her to stay in the hospital for quite a while. The foster mom stayed with her the entire time, with foster dad visiting and back and forth, 300 miles round trip. She was able to return to the foster home for recovery care and then her a lengthy transition, she was reunified with her biological family. She is now 10 and doing well, keeping in touch with her former caregivers.
To new social workers who are entering the field, Nancy shared this advice: “You have to expect to not have everything go the way you’d like,” said Nancy, “and be able to handle the unexpected, and be flexible.”
As for life after retirement, Nancy has bought a little camper and wants to travel, and enjoy her free time reading, and spending time with friends and family.
“I hope to be in the southern states during some of the winter months,” said Nancy, “…I like the heat.”
While we are sad to see her go, from everyone at Nexus Family Healing, thank you so much Nancy, and enjoy your retirement!
