In the Know
Keep reading to find out what happened to Stella Parrish and what advice Ms. Porter gives to those who supervise direct care workers. We think she’s right on the money!
It’s wonderful to read inspiring articles about direct care workers…and this article by Lori Porter certainly fits the bill! Lori is a former nursing assistant herself who went on to serve more than 30 years as a nursing home administrator. She is also the co-founder and CEO of the National Association of Health Care Assistants.
Ms. Porter recalls the first hero she ever met working in long-term care, a CNA named Stella Parrish. She viewed Stella as a hero for many reasons, especially because:
“She gave me an attitude adjustment that saved my career in long-term care” and this was back in the days before all the buzz words of “empowerment” and being positive. Stella schooled me well, explaining that she was tired of hearing me complain about everything. She told me the nursing home meant something to her and she would not allow me to make everyone miserable. She concluded with a request that if I could not stop complaining and inciting negativity among my co-workers that I leave. I did stop complaining and thanks to Stella, I became a better nursing assistant and a better person.”
We agree with Ms. Porter that there are Caregivers who serve as role models working throughout both acute and long term care. As she says in her article, “You know who they are ” the ones who pack a clean uniform in a bag and bring to work with them when there are winter storms approaching, the ones who agree to work that one last shift you don’t have covered, those you know have your back, bringing you information you need to know but that others may be afraid to tell you.”
Keep reading to find out what happened to Stella Parrish and what advice Ms. Porter gives to those who supervise direct care workers. We think she’s right on the money! And, thank you to all the “Stella Parrish’s” out there who serve as role models, embodying all it means to be a professional caregiver!
