Virginia Vincik retires from nursing after 51 years

  • Virginia Vincik poses with her retirement cake at a party held in her honor. Photo by Clayton Kelley
    Virginia Vincik poses with her retirement cake at a party held in her honor. Photo by Clayton Kelley
  • Shiner Pilot Club member Betty Petras, retiree Virginia Vincik, and Pilot Club members Beverly Mozisek and Roseann Raab celebrate Vincik’s retirement. Photo by Clayton Kelley.
    Shiner Pilot Club member Betty Petras, retiree Virginia Vincik, and Pilot Club members Beverly Mozisek and Roseann Raab celebrate Vincik’s retirement. Photo by Clayton Kelley.
  • Members of the Shiner Nursing and Rehab Center celebrate Virginia Vincik's retirement. Photo by Clayton Kelley.
    Members of the Shiner Nursing and Rehab Center celebrate Virginia Vincik's retirement. Photo by Clayton Kelley.

    Residents and co-workers at Shiner Nursing and Rehabilitation Center said their heartfelt good-byes to newly retired staff member Virginia Vincik. A retirement party was held on Monday, September 23.
    “I’ve been working at the nursing home for 51 years. My first day was September 23, 1973,” Vincik said. “It feels wonderful retiring. I’ve enjoyed my career and working at the nursing home, but it’s time to look to the future.”
    Vincik will surely be missed. She spent a long career serving the needy. 
    “Some of the highlights of my career include getting to know all of my residents and employees,” Vincik  said. “I’ve really enjoyed knowing all of them and I’ve seen a lot of people come and go whether it was our staff or residents. It’s been very bittersweet; I will certainly miss everybody.”
    There’s been tremendous support from all staff members at the nursing home.
    “I love all of the elderly people,” Vincik said. “Support from everyone has been fantastic. They’re like I am, I hate to go. However, it’s time to move on.”
    Vincik was the Assistant Director of Nurses. 
    “I would check on my residents and nurses and make rounds with the doctors when able,” Vincik said. “I’ve definitely made close connections with our staff and patients.”
    Vincik said she just loved coming into work each and every day to serve the elderly. 
    “It was a joy to just come into work every day,” Vincik said. “People would come into my office and wave and tell me good morning. Everybody had a job to do and at the end of the day, we would make it work. It takes a village. You have the aides that take care of the patients and the nurses who would give the residents medicine. Over the years, I went from an aide to a nurse.”
    “When I first started working, most of my residents were walking around and didn’t need the heavy care like they do now. These days, it’s different. Everybody now has their own special needs.”
    Now that she’s retired, Vincik plans to enjoy each and every day she has left. 
    “I plan on taking a much-needed vacation,” Vincik said. “I plan to shop, go out to eat, and then shop some more! Right now, I’m going to Port Aransas. “
    Vincik also aims to spend more time with her family.
    “I have a niece that’s playing ball at Galveston College, I would love to see some of her games,” Vincik said. “I also have a niece in South Carolina I want to visit.”