Skip to main content

I became a caregiver By: Marielle Ross

By
I became a caregiver out of necessity when my husband died, and I had to sell our business.  I needed to find a job to supplement the social security benefit I was getting as a widow with two young children. I had been driving a bus for the local school as a little side job. A job that was thrust upon me because of the need. It seems good bus drivers are hard to get and hard to keep.

Without any formal education and not having the time to go back to school, I took the LNA course offered by the local nursing home. In six weeks, I was trained and hired by the nursing home. The flexible hours allowed me to be home with my kids during the day and still drive the bus.

I worked there for six months, but their schedule interfered with my school bus schedule, so I left the nursing home and went private. Being bilingual in French and English gave me an advantage in the Northeast Kingdom where the population largely constitutes French-speakers.

After a while, I realized that there was more than could do for the more needy so I went back to school and took the course offered for 2nd level LNA. That gave me the skill I needed to do more hands on care like tube feeding, wound care, straight cath., colostomy care, etc.

I continued this for 20 years until I retired. My kids were now grown and gone so I applied for a permanent position with a health care agency so I could have full time employment, as private duty did not always mean steady work.

I do only live-in help as I work far from home and that fulfills many needs especially my own. I will be doing this until I may be needing the same care. Hopefully, the LNA I may need will be as caring and loving as I was
Labels:
Location: 93 Main St, West Lebanon, NH 03784, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

My Journey To Nursing by Kim Bechard, RN

By
Nursing has always been a part of who I am. When I was very young, several of my aunts worked in nursing and I always had a deep admiration for them. In high school, I began taking health occupation classes and knew from that moment on, that I wanted to become a nurse. After high school, I began attending a community college, working on my nursing degree. Due to a lengthy waiting list for the RN program, I decided to apply for the LPN program. I was accepted and graduated a year later. While studying for my boards, I worked as a CNA in a nursing home. After working as an LPN for approximately fifteen years, I finally graduated with my BSN degree. I have always felt the need to care for others. My mother passed away when I was a baby and I lived with my grandmother thereafter and cared for her during her final moments when I was only thirteen years old. I have now worked as a nurse for almost twenty years and I really don’t know if I could do anything else. Being a part of TLC gives m...
Post a Comment
Read more

Becoming a caregiver By: MaryAlice Callahan

By
Becoming a caregiver By: MaryAlice Callahan I became a caregiver because I knew that it was a career that I would be great at.  I worked on Hematology/Oncology for a few years and would see people that needed my help, but because I was a secretary and not a licensed caregiver I was not allowed to help.  It really bothered me because I saw the hurt and pain in their eyes and I would want so badly to be able to fulfill their request, big or small.   After my years at the hospital, I became a Medical assistant for an OB/GYN in South Burlington. I worked alongside with her, and again was in the presence of people who at times needed  tremendous support, and this time I was able to help them.  I also worked as a cosmetic laser tech in her office, and I loved the feeling when they saw their acne scars erased or spider veins that have embarrassed them forever disappear. I felt that there was an intimate exchange of energy between myself and them.  There...
Post a Comment
Read more

Aging on the Dirt Road Less Traveled

By
  By Rosaline Lee, LPN                      Rural isolation and rugged independence can be barriers to serving seniors in Vermont… Guy R. lives alone in his home in Calais, Vermont. As I drive down the road to his home, I notice evidence of washouts caused by recent heavy rains.  There is no cell reception or street lights in this area, as in much of Vermont. Guy’s home is a simple farmhouse that has obviously seen better days.  The paint is peeling, the porch is rotting and the lawn is unkempt. Guy greets me happily and proceeds to tell me the history of how this property is tied to his family. “My grandfather built this place in the 1800’s, just look at the fireplace that he put in, it’s amazing that it’s still standing. I’m still standing too.” His enthusiasm wanes when you see him look around the living room.  He sighs and says, “I know I’m not much of a housekeeper, Betty used to do everything aroun...
Post a Comment
Read more