|
|
|
|
|
Student finds great meaning in caring for residents
Long-term care work is challenging but rewarding
2/23/2015
-
Lisa Bailey
|
|
|
|
Jennifer Chad remembers one night recently at Afton Park Place when she sat and held the hand of a restless resident until she went to sleep.
“It meant the world to her,” Chad says.
It’s moments like this that endears her to long-term care. The personal support worker (PSW) is studying to become a registered practical nurse (RPN), and her nine months at Afton Park Place mark her first experience with long-term care.
She describes it as “eye-opening.”
“I didn’t have grandparents that were in long-term care or anything like that, so this was my first experience with it and it’s opening the door to another career for me. I absolutely love it.”
Chad, who was one of three recipients of Steeves & Rozema’s 2014-15 Group Health Care Scholarship, says she’s always been drawn to the caregiving aspect of her chosen profession.
“I’ve wanted to be a nurse since I was a child,” she says.
She now cherishes the opportunity to be there for older adults, especially those who have no family or don’t see their family very often.
“That’s what I’m drawn to,” Chad says.
“All they want is somebody to hear their stories and it’s amazing, the smile that comes over their face (when you’re there for them),” she says.
The residents, in turn, bring her a lot of joy and learning from sharing their challenges and experiences.
“I never thought I wanted to be a long-term care nurse but just working as a PSW has done wonders,” Chad says.
She appreciates the opportunity to get to know the people she cares for – something that doesn’t necessarily happen in a setting like a hospital.
She also acknowledges the challenges of working in long-term care. Documentation and reporting must be balanced with the hands-on caregiving, and the work changes with the change in residents’ health and circumstances.
“When people think of long-term care, they think it’s easy. No. You’re responsible for 32 residents as the RPN, as the team lead,” Chad says.
“I had heard from other nurses that if you get a job in long-term care it will give you a different appreciation for another aspect of health care (and it does).”
Practical learning has marked Chad’s time at Afton Park Place, which suits her just fine as she describes herself as “a hands-on learner.”
She appreciates the guidance and support of the staff at the Sarnia long-term care community.
“The whole team aspect is wonderful,” Chad says.
“When you work for a home, your boss knows you. It’s like a whole system (working together) and it makes you feel like a family.”
Chad is interested in palliative care and supporting people in one of the most important stages of their lives.
“You don’t want people to suffer. You want them to be comfortable and give the most respect you can give to a resident. That’s where I think a lot of people don’t understand,” she says.
“The palliative care team at Afton Park Place is just amazing. They’re so respectful, and they go over and above.”
Chad encourages students to consider working in long-term care because it is very rewarding. “It’s an amazing career opportunity. There’s no limit to what you can do; there’s always room for growth,” she says.
“I’m not even done school yet but every time you leave someone’s bedside, you know you’ve done your best; you’ve given them the respect that they deserve and you’ve been the best possible caregiver that you can be.”
If you have a story to share or feedback on this article, please contact the newsroom at 800-294-0051, ext. 25, or e-mail lisa(at)axiomnews.com.
|
|
|