Life Care CNAs share why they love their job
June 17-24 marks National Nursing Assistants Week, and Life Care could not be prouder of the amazing CNAs who serve our residents around the country.
CNAs provide direct, hands-on care to our residents. We asked our CNAs around the country some, and they shared their hearts with us about what their jobs mean to them.
What does a CNA do?
“The real question is what won’t a CNA do? We assist in bathing, feeding, dressing, toileting.... We are good listeners. We do a lot of redirecting. We cry, we pray, we hold our breath! We hope that there are better days. We appreciate quiet moments. We hug and say, ‘Great job!’ And, sadly, sometimes we have to say, ‘Goodbye.’”
Neva McFarland, The Woodlands in Muncie, Indiana
“Help with activities of daily living, monitor condition of patients, provide excellent customer service, provide friendship and companionship, provide good communication skills.”
Estela Morales, Life Care Center of the North Shore in Lynn, Massachusetts
“A CNA takes care of a resident when they’re at a place where they can’t take care of themselves. We are the eyes of the nurses to tell them if something’s wrong with a patient or if they aren’t acting themselves.”
Sarah Silverstone, Life Care Center of Boise, Idaho
“Provide care to those who need it and allow the residents to enjoy life as much as possible.”
Madison Shriner, Life Care Center of Littleton, Colorado
“We check on residents, do showers, basically everything they need.”
Amy Woody, The Woodlands in Muncie, Indiana
“We listen. We hug. We laugh. We sometimes cry. Most of all, we care. We always make our residents feel good.”
Loyola Medina, Evergreen Nursing Home in Alamosa, Colorado
“90% improvisation, 10% patient care.”
Bailey Hutton, Life Care Center of Littleton, Colorado
Why did you choose to be a CNA?
“I had lost my house to a flood and moved back to Carrollton. My sisters suggested I apply to be a CNA, and at the time, I didn’t think I would like it, but I fell in love with doing what I do and caring for my residents.”
Holly Dorsey, Life Care Center of Carrollton, Missouri
“I chose to be a CNA 21 years ago when I stayed home with my grandma when my parents went on vacation. There isn’t any other job I would rather do.”
Janet Renshaw, Life Care Center of Carrollton, Missouri
“I had a close friend in the hospital, and I wanted to care for her. It came so naturally to me, so I decided to go to school and become a CNA. I love my job!”
Belinda Walker, Cottesmore of Life Care in Gig Harbor, Washington
“I’m going to physician’s assistant school and wanted to see all of the different aspects of caring for patients.”
Caroline Asbell, Cottesmore of Life Care in Gig Harbor, Washington
“I became a CNA because my granny and grandma passed away and being a CNA makes me feel closer to them.”
Abbigale Jackson, Life Care Center of Osawatomie, Kansas
“I cared for my dad with dementia for five years and wanted to help other people.”
Tony Okongwu, Garden Terrace at Overland Park, Kansas
What is the best part of your job?
“When residents say something outrageous and out of left field.”
Bailey Hutton, Life Care Center of Littleton, Colorado
“I became a CNA to make a difference in people’s lives. I’ve always liked helping people. I just want to be the difference we all want when we have to make a choice to move into a facility. I want to be the reason ‘nursing home’ is no longer a bad name.”
Samantha LePage, Life Care Center of Columbia, Tennessee
“I love the residents and the environment. Being able to put a smile on my residents’ faces and being able to help someone who depends on me is very rewarding. I love my residents, and it feels good to know they love me in return.”
Tekoa Bradford, Lynchburg Nursing Center in Lynchburg, Tennessee
“The best part of my job is meeting and greeting other employees on the job, meeting and greeting family members associated with the patients we care for and lastly caring for our patients and getting to know our patients on a personal level. I love to care and do for them and see that smile that comes on their faces. Love just oozes out of their eyes. Such a joy and blessing to be a part of their lives.”
Felicia Marks, Life Care Center of Columbia, Tennessee
“ALL OF IT. No matter how tough times get, to see a smile on a resident’s face is worth it all.”
Rachel Harmon, Life Care Center of Carrollton, Missouri
“It gives me joy when a resident has gotten better and gets to go home.”
McKennah Martin, Life Care Center of McMinnville, Oregon
“I love when I get the chance to sit with my residents one-on-one and talk to them.”
Allena Shaffer, Life Care Center of Medina, Ohio
“The best part of my job is getting to know the different residents who come into our building, learning from them and interacting with them daily.”
Tammy Fryer, Lynchburg Nursing Center in Lynchburg, Tennessee
“Taking care of my grannies and grampies. I never knew my grandparents, so I love taking care of them!”
Maria Molina, Life Care Center of Casper, Wyoming
“Best part of my job is helping people and making their lives easier.”
Tommy Holloway, Garden Terrace at Overland Park, Kansas
“The best part of my job is coming in and seeing the residents. Being able to help make their days easier gives me satisfaction in my ability to do my job, but making them happy is what I live for.”
Addison Davis, San Luis Care Center in Alamosa, Colorado
“I enjoy my residents and knowing they have a safe place.”
Eli Recinos, Life Care Center of McMinnville, Oregon
“What I love most about being a CNA is that every day is different! I learn so much from the residents and use that knowledge in my life outside of Evergreen.”
Viola Kar, Evergreen House Health Center in East Providence, Rhode Island
“I love how the residents are family. I love to give hugs. It brightens their days and mine!”
Amy Woody, The Woodlands in Muncie, Indiana
“A smile from the residents and them telling you, ‘I’m glad you are back; I missed you.’”
Connee Garland, Life Care Center of Columbia, Tennessee
“I’ve been a CNA here at Evergreen for 40 years and never looked back! I am truly blessed to have now been given the opportunity to teach others how to do the Lord’s work.”
Beverly Moniz, Evergreen House Health Center in East Providence, Rhode Island
