FADONA

Congratulations!
The following people were recognized at the 16^th Annual Convention
April 28-30, 2003

2003 Nursing Administrator of the Year
— Robin Bleier
Country Health Associates

2003 Excellence in Service
— Ben Jelsema
President, Wings Health Care Solutions

2003 CNA Awards: 1st place
— Migdalia Montanez
Palm Garden of Ocala

Click here to read Migdalia's Essay

2003 CNA Awards: 2nd place
— Zilpah Sammarco
Tandem Healthcare of Pensacola

Click here to read Zilpah's Essay

*Edna Reyes, DON, Tandem Healthcare at Pensacola, accepted the award for her CNA, Zilpah Sammarco, who was unable to attend.

2003 CNA Awards: 3rd place
— Donna McHenney
Palm Garden of Ocala

Click here to read Donna's Essay

Back to Top

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

Back to Top