In the Know
Martha Sloane, a certified nursing assistant at Fairview Commons Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, shared her thoughts with us about her career and why she loves her job so much. Here’s what Martha had to say:
Four days a week, I drive to a my job on Unit II at Fairview Commons. As I head to work, I anticipate the varied needs of my residents. I drive with a feeling of hope — that I will be able to make a difference in a resident’s life for that day, bringing them comfort, perhaps some laughter and, most of all, thorough and careful nursing care.
The unit I work on consists of a wonderful team of men and women. Their ages range from 20 to 60. You might think the age gap would make it difficult for us to work together. But that’s not the case! We work as a real team. Each CNA has a group for which they are responsible in addition to working with other CNAs when they need assistance. Because we know each other well enough we are able to arrange work according to each of our strengths and weaknesses. And, we share our knowledge and skills for resident care with each other.
My work as a CNA is tough, no doubt about it. It is non-stop from the time my shift begins. My job requires a great deal of physical and mental strength and excellent interpersonal skills:
- Physical because of the type of care required which means lots of resident lifting.
- Mental because of the variety of residents’ personalities and ailments and being alert to new symptoms a resident might express or that we notice.
- Interpersonal because I spend time reassuring each resident they are important and showing them that I am happy to see them.
Most of all, my job means providing good nursing care to each resident for whom I am responsible.
I work with some great nurses. They look out for resident safety and the safety of the us CNAs. They look, listen and investigate concerns that my fellow CNAs and I express about a resident’s condition and they assist us with procedures when we need an extra pair of hands or some reassurance.
What a good feeling it is to go home at the end of my shift and know I have made a difference in someone’s life, provided good care, perhaps shared a laugh or two or simply spent some time with residents holding their hands to assure them I am there for them!
Fairview Commons is an affiliate of Berkshire Healthcare Systems, the largest non-profit, post-acute care company in Massachusetts. Fairview Commons employees enjoy enhanced education and training opportunities and clearly defined paths for growth and development.
If you are interested in working at Fairfield Commons, click HERE for more info.
