As National Nursing Assistants Week draws to a close, Debra Newman, a certified nursing assistant at Presbyterian Village North in Dallas, shares some advice on how to succeed in the position:
- Have confidence in what you are doing. If you don’t know something, don’t be afraid to ask.
- Keep in mind that all older adults are not the same. Some will be happy and you can joke with them, whereas others might not feel well or are having a bad day.
- Be mindful of your attitude, and work to maintain a cheerful demeanor no matter what the situation. If the job gets to be too stressful at times, try stepping away after a particularly challenging moment, taking a few minutes to regroup and collecting yourself.
- Treat residents/seniors how you would treat your own parents or grandparents if they were in your care.
- Share kind words, and make thoughtful gestures. Residents remember how you treat them, and when you regularly do nice things to help them, it makes them happy.
- Build and maintain meaningful relationships.
- Give it your best.
Newman has worked at Presbyterian Village North for 32 years, 27 as a CNA.