FADONA

Congratulations!
The following people were recognized at the 15^th Annual Convention

2002 LTC Director of Nursing Administrator of the Year
— Peggy Bennett
Manor Pines, Fort Lauderdale

2002 Director of Nursing Administrator of the Year for Transitional Care
— Norma Collins
Orlando Regional Health Care, Transitional Care Center

Lifetime Achievement Award
— Mary Wilson
FADONA Historian

In recognition of service
— Brenda McKenzie
2nd Vice-President, 1998–2002

In recognition of service
— Robin Bleier
Secretary, 2000–2002

In recognition of service
— Kim Pero
Region VI Coordinator, 1998–2000

2002 CNA Awards:
1st place — Lisa Lessor
2nd place — Lisa Newsome
3rd place — Shirley Rodrigues

Anne C. Booth, LPN, was awarded a $1,000 FADONA tuition scholarship for 2002.

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FADONA’s 2003 CNA Essay Contest Winners:
Why I like being a Certified Nursing Assistant

1st Place Winner:
A nurse aide assists registered nurses in caring for patients in several settings. Hospital, a long-term care facility and in the home. Working in health care field presents an exciting, rewarding and challenging opportunity to serve people.

We are the spouses, we are the parents, we are the siblings, and we are the adults of aging parents. Nurse’s aides must have basic patient care skills and good communication and people skills. Nurse’s aides should be mature and responsible with a friendly, helpful manner. We need to be practical, punctual and tidy. Also need to be patient and sensitive to all needs of people from a variety of backgrounds and cultures.

I never though that I could make a difference in so many peoples lives by just being patient with people, being a good listener, positive and cheerful. Working with people is why I enjoy being a Certified Nursing Assistant

Migdalia Montanez, CNA, Palm Garden of Ocala

2nd Place Winner:
Being a CNA isn’t just a job. When you see the smile on a patients face after making them more comfortable, it's a priceless feeling. Unfortunately life isn’t fair to all of us. Some or most of these patients will never get well, but as a CNA I have the ability to show them that someone cares. This makes being a CNA special. Of course it is nice to be paid for doing my job but it is much more rewarding knowing I have helped make a difference to someone that needed my help.

Zilpah Sammarco, CNA, Tandem Healthcare of Pensacola

3rd Place Winner:

One day I woke up and decided that I just wanted a lot more out of my life than what I was doing. I just was not happy. So I told my boss that I quit and went back to school and got my CNA certificate. Little did I know at the time that this would change my life more than I ever thought it would forever. I knew I wanted to help people and I found that I had made the right choice in the new career that I picked for myself.

I found out a lot of things about myself I found that I am a very strong person, a lot stronger than I ever thought I ever gave myself credit for. I found that I love being a CNA, there is nothing more rewarding that being a CNA. I get to take care of people when they need someone and I get to be that someone that is there for them when needed. To be their friend when they need someone to talk to or to just hold their hand when they are dying. I get so much satisfaction out of the fact that I make a difference in someone’s day and life.

I also found that I matter, Yes I really do. I never felt that I did before till now. I know that when I come in I am needed. I do make a difference in all the people around me and in all the people that I meet every day. Whether it is a smile a touch or a hug when needed or just to be there for them.

There are some that say, "Oh CNA’s are nothing they don’t matter, they don’t count" but I say we do and I am proud hold my head up high and say I am a CNA and we count.

Donna McHenney, CNA, Palm Garden of Ocala

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Why I Enjoy Being a CNA

“CNAs should give a signal of a rainbow when they walk into a resident’s room.” I feel it is generally needed in a place with IV needles, catheters, and dressings in place.

Everyone will grow old. It is a fact that no one can change. The elderly are key stairways to the future, by learning from their lives we can make our own futures brighter and also give them joy and happiness for the rest of theirs. As a CNA my hopes along the way are to make everyone I give care to feel appreciated, honored and cherished.

Companionship is something every person needs. As we walk through our lives, many friends and relationships will come and go. Some will last our whole lives. In the last segment of our lives I think everyone wants to know someone cares, respects and loves them. We as CNAs see the residents around the clock and become very close caregivers to them.

Lastly, at the end of the day when you take off your last pair of gloves and wash your hands, if you did your job to the best of your ability, you can hold your head up high knowing that you helped someone. It can be an uplifting feeling that is better than winning several prestigious awards.

In conclusion, all CNAs are not just “Certified Nursing Assistants,” but “Caring, Nurturing, Advocates!”

Lisa Lessor, CNA
Palm Garden of Ocala

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