As we celebrate Nurses Week 2026, we at Village On The Isle (VOTI) want to express our deepest gratitude to the nurses who are the backbone of our skilled nursing in Venice, FL.

While nursing is often defined by clinical tasks and outcomes, there are leaders who remind us that at its very core, nursing is a sacred responsibility. Our Director of Nursing Services, Kera Literal, is one of those leaders.

Since joining the VOTI family in January 2021, Kera has redefined what it means to lead our skilled nursing team. Her high-level regulatory expertise and unique leadership style have created an environment where our nursing staff thrives, and our residents receive the best care possible when the need arises.

Keep reading to learn more about Kera and how she’s cultivated a unique culture in our skilled nursing health center that supports both residents and staff.

Career Highlights: Achieving CMS 5-Star Rating and More

Since becoming a Registered Nurse in 2008, Kera’s career has been nothing short of incredible. Before joining VOTI, she spent 14 years in the skilled nursing industry working her way up from floor nurse to Clinical Educator and Unit Manager.

At just 27, she was promoted to Director of Nursing, eventually leading her team to achieve a CMS 5-Star rating and the prestigious AHCA Silver Quality Award – a distinction held by only 4% of Florida facilities. In 2016, she was named Nurse Administrator of the Year by FADONA, a testament to her passion for staff development.

Despite her success, Kera eventually faced a crossroads in 2020 while serving as Regional Director of Clinical Operations, overseeing six skilled nursing facilities across the state. Though she excelled in risk management and regulatory compliance, she realized that the demanding schedule kept her from what mattered most: building close relationships with residents and staff.

Drawn to the mission-driven, non-profit foundation of Village On The Isle, Kera embraced the opportunity to lead a single, close-knit community where her values and vision could flourish. She joined our Life Plan Community in January 2021.

Finding Purpose: Embracing Community at Village On The Isle

As VOTI’s Director of Nursing, Kera oversees nearly 30 nurses and nurse leaders and more than 40 Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), partnering with the Director of Nursing for Assisted Living to ensure seamless, compassionate care throughout the campus.

Her extensive experience, hands-on leadership, and passion for fostering a supportive culture have made her the heart of our skilled nursing health center– and a transformative force among her team.

“I became a nurse because I love caring for patients,” said Kera. “But my real passion is mentoring and coaching other caregivers. I want to make sure they have everything they need to provide the best experience for our residents and their families, and to look out for their well-being so they can excel in their roles.”

For Kera, ensuring that the skilled nursing staff has what they need to succeed comes down to several key elements:

• Radical Accessibility: Kera makes herself available around the clock to address questions and concerns from staff, residents and their families. For Kera, having this personal connection is an important part of maintaining the standards of the health center. Her cell phone number is on her card, and she encourages people to use it.
• Open Communications: She also encourages open communication with her staff, going out of her way to make sure everyone is heard. If a team member is quieter or less likely to speak up in meetings, Kera connects with them one-on-one to get their input and personal feedback.
• Personal Celebration: Under Kera’s leadership, the  health center is a place of celebration. The team holds baby showers, bridal showers, and even gender reveal parties for staff, and makes sure to celebrate professional milestones too. By celebrating her staff’s accomplishments and milestones, she reminds them that they are seen as whole people, not just employees.

This culture has resulted in very little staff turnover, which further supports consistency and quality of care at the health center.

Clinical Excellence and the CMS 5-Star Rating

While Kera’s leadership style is warm and empathetic, it is also results-driven. Our CMS 5-Star accreditation is a point of pride for Village On The Isle, and Kera is quick to credit her staff for this achievement.

"Our staff is really the backbone of that five-star rating," she says. “Earning this recognition speaks to the quality of care that’s provided on a daily basis, and that is entirely the result of our care team and their commitment to our residents.”

The CMS 5-Star Rating is based on consistent quality of care, positive survey outcomes, and the prevention of health-acquired issues like infections or wounds. Because Kera has built a team that feels supported, they are more vigilant, more disciplined, and more committed to the daily tasks that lead to big clinical successes.

The Human Impact: A Story of Safety and Connection

However, the true measure of success for our team isn’t found in a report. What matters most to Kera and her team is the peace of mind of the residents and families they serve.

Kera recalls one resident who had the means to receive 24/7 at-home care yet chose to stay at Village On The Isle because he felt safer and more confident in the care of the nursing team than he did anywhere else.

“For someone who had the means to receive 24/7, at-home care choosing to stay at VOTI instead – that really speaks to how our team makes residents feel,” said Kera. “We’ve created a tight-knit family in the health center, and the residents are a part of that family.”

On a Personal Note: Getting to Know Kera

When she isn't leading the skilled nursing team, Kera is a person of deep family roots and fun-loving passions. Keep reading for fun facts about Kera and her life outside of VOTI, in her own words.

·        When you’re not working, how do you like to spend your time? My son Kellen, 12, is my world and the light of my life. I also have four dogs – Kobe, Kash, Khloe and Katy. We all have K names like the Kardashians.

·        What is one thing people might be surprised to learn about you? At one point, I wanted to be a journalist or a lawyer. I was planning to go to school for that and then pivoted into healthcare. I’d also love to write a children’s book.

·        What’s your favorite snack food? Cool Ranch Doritos and Nerd Gummy Clusters.

·        Who is your favorite musical artist? I really enjoy all music and genres. I joke that 80% of my brain is song lyrics, but I absolutely love Mariah Carey. I have been the biggest fan of hers since I was four years old. That comes with my love of Christmas.

·        What has been your favorite vacation? I went on my first cruise last summer with my extended family. We get together every year and there are about 30 people between my cousins and all the kids. It’s not about the place, it’s about who you’re with.

·        How do you take your coffee? I don’t drink coffee! I do have an extensive collection of tumblers for my water and Mio, though. People know me for my tumblers.

Kera Literal's leadership is just an example of the passion that fuels Village On The Isle. We invite you to see this culture in action. If you are looking for a supportive community-driven retirement community, schedule a visit by calling (941) 202-4451. If you are looking for a workplace where you can truly make a difference, there is a place for you in our family, please visit our Careers page.

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