Influential Woman · Home Healthcare Services
Theresa Nightingale
CNA
Home Health Scheduling Coordinator, Private Home Health Organization
Clarksville, TN 37043
Her Story
About Theresa
Theresa Nightingale is an experienced home health administrator with more than two decades of expertise in private duty home care, specializing in scheduling, care coordination, and administrative operations. She began her healthcare career as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in a facility setting before transitioning to in-home care, where she discovered her passion for coordinating services that help clients remain safely and comfortably in their homes. Although she initially pursued nursing studies, she recognized that her strengths lay in administration and has since built a successful career ensuring caregivers are matched effectively with clients across private-pay, Veterans Affairs (VA), and Medicaid-funded programs.
Throughout her career, Theresa has become known for her ability to manage complex scheduling operations while balancing the needs of clients, caregivers, and healthcare organizations. Much of her administrative expertise—including accounts payable, accounts receivable, and workforce scheduling—was developed through hands-on experience and a strong commitment to continuous learning. Early administrative experience at Dollar General Corporation further strengthened her organizational and operational skills. She credits her long-term success in the demanding home healthcare industry to her unwavering dependability, clear communication, and meticulous attention to detail, qualities that enable her to deliver reliable, compassionate support for both patients and care teams.
Beyond her professional responsibilities, Theresa is dedicated to serving her community and improving the lives of older adults. She actively participates in Alzheimer's Association benefit walks and volunteers with the VISTI program, delivering meals and groceries to seniors while helping combat isolation through meaningful companionship. Inspired by mentors who shaped her career and driven by a genuine desire to make a difference, Theresa continues to advocate for high-quality in-home care that allows seniors and other individuals to maintain their independence, dignity, and quality of life.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Theresa
01What do you attribute your success to?
My inspiration was the people I was helping. Knowing that someone's getting the care they need, no one's forgetting their medication, and providing those little things like companionship in their home. It's just being there for them and making sure they get the care needed. It's not only helping my patients for a job, I help my family members and different people as well when my time's available. My inspiration is to see them smile and to make sure they get the care they need.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I embrace being dependable, being reliable, because I got so used to people not being dependable and reliable, calling out. One thing that helps me and I use with other people as well: whenever you answer the phone, you always smile. They can tell.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
When they sit down and look at the needs and wants and everything, trying to figure it out, they get a little panicked because you don't know the clients or caregivers. So you just have to take it one step at a time, a client at a time, to realize what their needs are. Don't let it overwhelm you. It comes with time. Realize that you're not gonna keep everyone happy, there's always gonna be some that will be upset with you, but in the end you still provided the care.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field right now is finding and retaining the qualified staff needed to provide high-quality care. Whether it's Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), or caregivers, recruiting enough skilled and compassionate professionals continues to be a significant challenge.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that matter most to me in both my work and personal life are communication, dependability, and accountability. I believe in doing my job to the best of my ability and paying close attention to detail. While everyone makes mistakes, I think it's important to learn from them, take responsibility, and ensure they aren't repeated.
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