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(This interview has been edited for clarity and length.)
Q: Can you tell me a bit about yourself?
Tina: I’ve been in Vermont all my life. I’m also the wife of a dairy farmer. We have a farm in Vernon, Vermont. With the weather getting cold doing calves, I got into nursing. I did assisted living and after six months, I decided I wanted to further my education to help do my job better and take care of our residents because they are our adopted grandparents. To properly take care of them, I got training as an LNA.
Q: What does LNA training look like?
Tina: Mine was a six-week course; you're in a book and also are doing hands-on work at a nursing home. So you are learning the skills you need to be an LNA – bathing, cleaning, how to protect body mechanics for yourself and also how to take care of the residents. And you’re also looking for any wounds, doing skin care and all the things you need to do to properly take care of the residents.
Q: Did you know when you were getting into this work that you specifically wanted to work with older Vermonters?
Tina: I started off trying to figure out what I wanted to do. As a matter of fact, I wish I had done this many moons ago. I would have moved up doing an LPN [Licensed Practical Nurse] or RN [Registered Nurse]. But right now, I’m satisfied being an LNA and MAT [Medication Aide/ Technician]. I love doing what I’m doing and if I can just make residents feel good and smile, I know I’m doing my job right.
Q: Can you walk me through a typical day in your role?
Tina: I come in at 6:30 a.m. I’m really scheduled for 7:00 a.m. I try getting things lined up for what we’ve got to do and be prepared. We have assignments and usually divvy those around, and we kind of just figure out what we need to do. And then we go into the rooms and we are assigned eight or ten residents to get up. And, of course, we help the other LNAs too, because it’s teamwork, and the nurses help us too. You’re in there washing them up, cleaning them up, lotioning them and getting them up in the chairs or wheelchairs, and you roll them out to the dining room. Some residents you have to feed — just getting them ready for their day.
Q: What are your favorite and most rewarding parts of the job? What are the major challenges?
Tina: My favorite part is to listen to the residents giggle and smile. When you give them a shower and then when you get done and you dry their hair, they are just very happy and content. I guess the biggest thing I want to say is that making them feel good is my favorite part of the job, and just making them laugh, because some of these residents don’t have family members to come in. You are their family. If you just make them feel loved and cared for, then we are doing our jobs right.
But the most challenging part is when they pass. Because you are here until they pass; that’s what we are here for. And I just keep thinking, okay, if I wasn’t here, what would they do? I’m a Christian. And I always question myself after someone passes, but I know that I am doing what God wants me to be doing. I just feel like we are here for a purpose. We are here for a reason: to take care of people. They are not just people, they are our grandparents.
Q: What might surprise someone about your job and what it’s like?
Tina: Some people don’t realize that you don’t just come in and sit in a chair, you are actually working. It’s a lot of hours and you’re on your feet, but it’s also rewarding, you know? When I get home I say, “This person really giggled. I did this today.” It’s just really rewarding.
Q: What would you say to young people or others who may be interested in working in long-term or residential care, but aren’t sure if it’s for them?
Tina: They should come and see, and realize that people need love and care. Because residents love seeing people and kids. If people can just volunteer their time and come in – we need volunteers – to speak with residents, paint their nails. But if they can just come in and see it, then maybe they will decide, “Hey, I want to become an LNA. I want to become a nurse.” People should just come in and check it out.
Q: What qualities do you think make someone a good LNA?
Tina: Being caring. You’ve got to have a good heart. And you have to want to be there and help as a team, because you’re working together as one group for residents.
Q: If you could speak to a member of Congress, what would you tell them about caring for older Vermonters and what the needs are?
Tina: When you are making financial and regulatory decisions, you should come and actually visit the facility and include us in your research and decisions because we can provide a lot of real insights into these residents. We want to help, too.
Q: Anything else you want to share with us?
Tina: Thompson House is a great place to work. I enjoy being here. It’s the best decision that I have made.
Q: So, Tina, last question. What’s harder: being a dairy farmer or being an LNA?
Tina: [Pauses to think.] They are both equal. You’re doing care. between people and animals, we give quality care.
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