Jonathan K.

When I was a little girl, in kindergarten, we were asked to write down what we wanted to be when we grew up, my mother just gave me all of those old keepsakes. My little piece of paper said " when I grow up I want to be a social worker, a nurse, or a missionary. I have had the passion for caring for people since I was a little girl. I have spent my adult life doing this. I enjoy being a caregiver because I have been on the other end, the majority of my childhood. I was in the hospital a lot as a child with bad asthma, and my caregivers, always comforted me when my mother was unable to stay the night. I always said that I would pay back all of those caregivers who made me feel special by becoming one of them, and being there for someone who was alone or frightened. My greatest satisfaction is to make someone smile, it fills my heart with joy. My greatest achievement was being a part of the lives of so many different beautiful people, and hearing all of their stories. I was the granddaughter of an elderly man with dementia, I was the sister of a woman with Alzheimer's, I was the girlfriend of a boy who was struck by lightening, and I enjoyed every moment I shared in their moments.

I became a caregiver because I love to take care of people. I have been a caregiver/CNA for many years and I have worked in two different hospitals, a nursing home, and as of late home health care. Home health care is what I really enjoy because it is more one on one with the patient., and more laid back. I feel I can spend time with my patients and really get to know them., as well as give them great care and that to me is most important. I have a lot of compassion for the people that I take care of and patience., which to me is what makes a "good" caregiver. ~I am an easy going person who has a great sense of humor which in certain circumstances I feel it is important. ~ To be able to make someone's day brighter., and to make someone "smile" really means a lot to a patient.