Amera Elnamara’s journey into becoming a Nurse Practitioner in Long-Term Care wasn’t driven by a childhood calling, but because she was drawn to a profession grounded in service, stability, and real-world impact. What she didn’t expect was how naturally it would fit her in every way that mattered, or how deeply she would come to love the work. She discovered a natural instinct to give of herself, to advocate, and to look beyond the surface for what those she serves truly need. That mindset has carried her across borders through multiple clinical environments, and into the role where she now shines: Nurse Practitioner in The Village of Glendale Crossing.
After completing her nursing education and early acute-care experience in Michigan and Ohio, Amera moved to Canada and continued to explore different ways she could put her skills to use. She spent time in endoscopy, surgical day procedures, and even IV anesthesia, but it was her experience in home health care that planted the seeds for something more. She saw the gaps, recognized infections before they escalated, and noticed when medications needed adjustment. She felt the limits of what she was allowed to do and knew she could contribute more.
“I just felt like there was more I could do,” she recalls. That realization sparked her decision to return to school, where she graduated from her Nurse Practitioner program in 2020, during the height of COVID. She began practicing in 2021, ready to make the kind of impact she always knew she was capable of.
Long-term care wasn’t on her radar at first, but it quickly became the environment she didn’t know she needed. After starting her NP career in Sarnia, Amera eventually sought something closer to home within an organizational culture that aligned with her personal values and gave her room to grow. When she discovered Schlegel Villages, she found what she was looking for, and the fit was immediate.
“I needed a supportive environment,” she says. “A place where you can be yourself but also have new ideas and brainstorm.”
At The Village of Glendale Crossing in London, Amera found exactly that. The pace allows her to build meaningful relationships with residents, families, and team members – something that rarely exists in an acute care or clinical setting.
“I love that we are part of the residents’ community, and we can come to them at any time if they have anything they may be concerned about,” she says.
That continuity of care allows her to develop meaningful plans, follow subtle changes, and empower the surrounding team to notice those changes and collaborate in the care of each person they serve. Teaching and developing others are natural parts of her day, often along Main Street in the Village or in the neighbourhoods; Amera is always on the move, answering questions as they arise and connecting with team members, residents, and loved ones as she goes.
She also sees long-term care as fertile ground for innovation. With nurse practitioners still relatively new to the sector, she appreciates being part of a team that is eager to learn and grow. “Here, there’s a want to learn more and to develop us... to make us grow,” she says.
This year, Amera’s commitment was recognized at the provincial level when she received the Ontario Long-Term Care Clinicians Association Nurse Practitioner of the Year Award, one of the highest honours for NPs. The award highlights leadership, clinical excellence, and meaningful impact on resident well-being; qualities Amera embodies every day. She describes the recognition as a surprise and remains humble about the award. To her, it symbolizes what a supportive environment can make possible. “It’s not an award for me,” she says. “It’s everyone’s award.” That humble spirit, in line with the Schlegel Villages values, is part of the reason why she was nominated.
“Hers is truly a serving spirit,” wrote Holly Ross, Glendale Crossing’s Assistant General Manager, in the award nomination. “Amera’s engagement with residents, families, and colleagues is exemplary. She is kind, grounded, and deeply trusted by her team for her dedication, compassion, and strong work ethic. We consider ourselves exceptionally fortunate to have her as part of our community.”
For Amera, pride comes from knowing she’s part of something bigger, a philosophy of care that extends beyond one Village, and she would encourage her fellow Nurse Practitioners to consider the wonderful opportunities within Schlegel Villages. “It feels like you have a purpose in what you do,” she says. And that purpose, rooted in relationships and growth, continues to guide her work every day.
