Presbyterian Senior Living | Team Members
In her role as Extended Care Services Support Manager at Presbyterian Senior Living (PSL), Lindsay Ruffner exemplifies leadership, empathy, and dedication to the mission of providing high-quality care for seniors. With a nursing career spanning over three decades, Lindsay’s path to this position has been shaped by her passion for senior care, a commitment to professional development, and a strong belief in empowering both her colleagues and the residents she serves.
Since joining PSL in June 2010, Lindsay has worn many hats, from an RN on night shifts to a Director of Nursing (DON), and now in her current role, she provides essential support to nursing teams across 14 PSL communities. Her journey is one of resilience, growth, and an unwavering commitment to making a positive impact in senior care.
Lindsay’s Journey
Lindsay’s career in healthcare began when she was just 20 years old, working as a personal care aide. "I never thought I would be a nurse," she admits, sharing how she originally planned on becoming an attorney because of her love for debate. Despite growing up in a household where her mother worked as a nurse, Lindsay didn’t think the field was for her. “The things I heard my mom talk about at the kitchen table, I thought, ‘I would not do that.’”
However, life had different plans. After getting married young and having children, Lindsay found herself drawn to healthcare, starting in a small, home-like care environment. “There’s a difference between loving your grandparents and working with the aging population,” she reflects. This experience opened her eyes to the needs of seniors, and by the age of 32, Lindsay went back to school to become a registered nurse.
Her early career included time in home health care, where she witnessed the economic challenges families face in accessing senior living or nursing home care. “It takes empathy and compassion to support folks at the end of life and through that transition,” she explains. This experience helped her realize the importance of dignity and respect for seniors, laying the foundation for the strong advocacy she now brings to her work.
Despite initial resistance to the idea of becoming a nurse, Lindsay now sees nursing as her calling. “Some nurses are all about the ER and surgery, others love pediatrics. For me, it’s about providing dignity and advocating for those who have reached that stage of life.” If not in her current position, she says, “I would be a geriatric hospice nurse. Sitting and having conversations with people who have lived long lives—it’s humbling.”
Growing with PSL: From RN to Corporate Leadership
Lindsay’s tenure at PSL has been marked by consistent growth and opportunities for leadership. She started as an RN at St. Andrews, working the night shift, and quickly moved into supervisory roles. In 2014, she became the Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) and, just a few years later, took on the role of Director of Nursing (DON) in 2017. By 2021, Lindsay was promoted to Peer DON, assisting corporate clinical nurses across multiple PSL communities. In 2022, she transitioned to her current role as Extended Care Services Support Manager, where she continues to provide valuable support and guidance.
In her current position, Lindsay's role is both challenging and rewarding. She describes it as “DON on steroids” because of the broad scope of responsibilities she oversees. Her work includes monitoring quality assurance (QA) across 14 communities, conducting environmental rounding checklists, supporting local ADONs, DONs, and administrators, and rolling out education and policy initiatives. Behind the scenes, Lindsay plays a pivotal role in large-scale projects, such as transitioning PSL communities to a new electronic health records system.
Her job, she says, is a "catch-all quality position" that keeps her constantly engaged with the various facets of senior care. She leads clinical risk meetings every six weeks and provides corporate health management support to ensure PSL’s health centers, assisted living (AL), and personal care (PC) services maintain high standards.
Challenges and Rewards of Nursing Leadership
As someone who has been deeply involved in nursing leadership, Lindsay is well aware of the challenges that come with the territory. Staffing shortages, which have affected healthcare across the country, remain a major issue. "The day-to-day operational grind can be challenging as a leader," she acknowledges. Balancing staffing ratios while ensuring quality care is no easy feat, but it’s a challenge that Lindsay approaches with both heart and drive.
Despite the difficulties, Lindsay finds fulfillment in the positive results of her leadership. “Seeing positive outcomes—when your team is engaged, when teamwork is there, when people band together to provide the care we want to provide—that’s what makes it all worth it,” she says. She believes that people don’t come into healthcare for the money but because they genuinely care. “Caregivers have heart,” she emphasizes. As a leader, Lindsay strives to tap into that passion, reminding her team that they are making a difference in the lives of the residents.
Her approach to leadership is built on listening and understanding. "Leaders need to make sure the team feels heard," she says. By helping her team members work through personal and professional challenges, Lindsay ensures that they feel supported both at work and in their home lives.
Empowering Through Education and Development
One of the aspects of PSL that Lindsay values most is the organization's commitment to professional development. “PSL puts energy into ADONs and DONs and their education,” she explains. Lindsay herself is a perfect example of this commitment. She began her nursing career with an associate’s degree and RN certification but never thought she would return to school. However, with PSL’s support, she is now just one class away from earning her Bachelor’s degree, with PSL covering the cost of tuition.
Lindsay sees this as a way PSL gives back to its nursing leadership, ensuring they have the tools and education they need to continue growing in their roles. “There is always an opportunity for personal and professional growth here,” she says. “PSL empowers both the team and the population we serve, and that’s what helps us stand apart from other organizations.”
Recently, Lindsay participated in the Leading Age Fellows in Leadership Program, a professional development initiative designed to strengthen leadership skills in the field of senior care. The experience, she says, strengthened her both as a person and as a leader. “It helped me empower others,” she reflects, reinforcing her belief that leadership is about lifting up those around you.
A Legacy of Care and Leadership
Looking back on her career, Lindsay feels grateful for the opportunities she has had to grow and make a difference. Whether it's helping a resident navigate the challenges of aging or supporting a new nurse through a difficult day, Lindsay’s passion for senior care shines through in everything she does.
As she continues in her role, Lindsay remains dedicated to providing high-quality care, mentoring future nursing leaders, and advocating for the dignity of the residents she serves. “PSL has supported me throughout my career,” she says, “and I’m proud to be part of an organization that empowers its team to grow and make a real difference.”
Lindsay’s journey from a personal care aide to a corporate leader is a testament to the power of perseverance, compassion, and professional development. Her story is one of passion for senior care, a commitment to empowering others, and a deep belief in the value of providing dignified, respectful care for those in the final stages of life.