National Certified Nurses Aids (CNA) Week just wrapped up earlier this week. There are more than 4.5 million CNAs across the nation dedicated to the heavy lifting of health care. Locally, Monica White is a nurse’s aide at HCI Care Services. She says that she helps hospice patients with services that their family may not feel comfortable assisting in, such as bathing. White adds that she’s also there to help the patient in other matters, like tidying up the house or going on a walk with patients. She says it’s a very fulfilling job, as she cultivates relationships with patients and families that matter. Barb Van Gorp oversees the four CNAs they have on staff. She says they do a fantastic job and that families are always happy and grateful for their work.

Laurie Valster, who runs the mentor program for CNA’s at Pella Regional Health Center, says aside from needing the strength to help move patients, being a people person is the best skill a CNA can have. She says that talking with patients, joking with them, and getting to know them, will brighten their day. She tells us that they try to make their patients feel like they are at home.