Editor’s Note: McKnight’s Long-Term Care News, McKnight’s Senior Living and McKnight’s Home Care are profiling the McKnight’s 2023 Women of Distinction honorees daily from July 5 to Aug. 15. For additional McKnight’s Women of Distinction content, visit this page.

Necia Jeske hasn’t always worked in healthcare. She began her career as a preschool teacher at a local daycare, then stayed home to care for her two twin sons, once of whom had a diagnosis of autism. She also provided care for her nephew and, in 2008, made the decision to return to school for nursing while her sons were still toddlers.

Throughout school, Jeske worked as a certified nursing assistant at a long-term care facility and—despite plans to pursue work in an intensive care unit—fell in love with the specialty. She tested out of her RN program early to take a job as a licensed practical nurse at the same long-term care facility and continued to advance her education and training over the next several years.

By 2017, Jeske made the decision to transfer to a sister long-term care facility, Woodland Village Nursing Center in Suring, WI, and she became director of nursing for its sister facility in Gillet, WI, later that year. Downsizing led Jeske to return to the Suring location in 2018, where 95% of the Gillet residents joined her as she continued her work as director of nursing. 

She is the director of nursing at the Bay at Suring Health and Rehabilitation, a Champion Care facility in Suring, WI.

In the time since beginning her career in long-term care, she has endured several challenges, including overcoming lung cancer in 2021. She also has worked tirelessly to support her children in sports and Special Olympics, and she gave up time with her family to work extra shifts to support an individual with needs in her community.

The McKnight’s Women of Distinction program is jointly administered by McKnight’s Long-Term Care News, McKnight’s Senior Living and McKnight’s Home Care. PointClickCare is the Diamond sponsor of this year’s program. PharMerica is the Silver sponsor. Additional sponsors include American HealthTech, Healthcare Services Group, Omnicare, Sentrics and ShiftKey.

Visit this web page to see lists of honorees from 2023 and previous years.