Kerri-Ann Palmer Provides Empathetic Care at ServiceNet

Kerri-Ann Palmer has been caring for others for most of her life. First as a babysitter, then a certified nursing assistant (CNA), and now as a nurse with over 10 years of experience.

Born in Jamaica, she grew up witnessing healthcare inequality and a lack of support for people with disabilities. After moving to the U.S. at age 11, she saw that more resources were available, and she knew she wanted to be part of that support system, just like her mother and grandmother, who both worked as CNAs.

Encouraged by her mother to pursue a career in nursing, Kerri-Ann enrolled in a year-long program that allowed her to fully focus on her education. The experience was transformative, shaping her both personally and professionally. Her decision to become a nurse took on even deeper meaning when her mother passed away in 2024 after a second battle with cancer.

During her grief, a fellow nurse at ServiceNet reached out and helped her find a position here. The support and respect she’s received since joining have made a lasting impression. “I don’t feel bad when life happens. People respect my personal life, and that makes me more confident,” she says. “Recognition or acknowledgment can go a long way.”

In her current role, Kerri-Ann visits residential homes, ensures medications are accurate, trains staff, and most importantly, builds relationships with clients. She believes her empathy helps as a nurse. “I put myself in their shoes. How would I want to be treated?” That approach helps her connect with clients, many of whom have lived rich, full lives before needing care.

One of her most memorable experiences was caring for a woman with dementia. Over time, they formed a strong bond, and even after the client passed away, her daughter remembered Kerri-Ann’s care.

“You make a difference in their life,” she says. “And once they know you, they can trust you. They can tell you their whole life story, and it sticks with you.”

Kerri-Ann finds inspiration in her 3-year-old autistic, non-verbal son, and in her great-grandmother, who is still living at 105. “I treat everyone how I would want my grandmother to be treated,” she says. That deep sense of empathy and purpose keeps Kerri-Ann committed to making a difference—one person at a time.