Anna LePere
STEP Reflection
7 June 2022
- My STEP signature project consisted of taking classes to be able to sit for the state test to become a State Tested Nurse Aid. This class was completed over two weeks.
- A part of the program I was enrolled in required us to participate in clinicals. We completed this through a local nursing home. This was a really eye-opening experience for me, because it was the first time I worked directly with patients in that manner. It made me realize how big a part compassion plays in patient care as much as their physical needs. Many of the residents who I met at the nursing home were sometimes just simply lonely and would ring their call light just to talk to someone.
- I found that giving residents even a couple minutes of my time to just simply listen to them could change their entire mood and demeanor for the rest of the day. The patients also had really interesting and fascinating stories that I loved to hear about, which I think helped build patient-provider relationships. This project really solidified my decision towards a career in healthcare because it was so rewarding to me making the resident’s day better in any way.
A couple of other girls and I were assigned to a specific resident, and her name was Dorris. Miss Dorris suffered from Parkinson’s disease, and therefore we had to help her with daily living activities. Throughout the two consecutive days we were with Miss Dorris, we changed her, gave her a bath, got her fresh linens, and most importantly stood by her side to make sure she never felt lonely. We happened to be the only visitors Miss Dorris had those days, and I loved watching her face light up when she would tell us how she had met her husband, or about her brother who was in World War 2.
We had lots of fun pointing to all of the different photos Miss Dorris had dispersed throughout her room and then listening to the stories she had to go with them. I thinks for me it was humbling to realize that the people we care for aren’t so different from us. They have lives, and families and experiences as well and that they should be carefully considered and evaluated when mapping a patient’s care plan.
4. I walked away with advice from Dorris I will always remember. She told us to, “Always be kind to others, and they will be kind to you back.” We may have done a lot for Miss Dorris physically over the course of our time there, but she definitely taught us more lessons that will last a lifetime. Despite Miss Dorris’ bedridden state, she still seemed to appreciate and love the little things in life. I hope she enjoyed my company half as much as I did hers.