Wanda Easter, CNA Supervisor for Nature Trail Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, has been named a 2022 Frontline Honors honoree by Skilled Nursing News.
To become a Frontline Honoree, an individual is nominated by their peers. The candidate must be a dedicated, high-performing frontline worker who delivers exceptional experiences and outcomes; a passionate worker who knows how to put their vision into action for the good of seniors and aging industry professionals; and an advocate for seniors, their industry, and their peers.
Skilled Nursing News caught up with Easter to discuss their time in the skilled nursing industry.
SNN: What drew you to the Skilled Nursing industry?
Easter: My passion for nursing was carried down to me through four generations of my family. My mother and grandmother were nurses and big influences on my career direction. They used to take me to work with them and I saw the smiles they put on their residents’ faces. I was guided by my mother’s motto in life: “Never bury your dreams.” By combining that goal, a strong work ethic, and dedication to caregiving, that set the tone for my professional success.
What’s your biggest lesson learned since starting to work in the industry?
We should treat people as you would want to be treated. One day I will get old and I don’t know whose hands I will fall into for care, so I treat our residents in the same way I would like to be taken care of. By understanding and empathizing with residents’ needs, I’m better able to comfort and encourage them.
What’s your favorite part about your job?
What I enjoy most is bringing love and joy to the residents and my co-workers. I like meeting residents’ needs and being a part of their progress and success. I want to make residents and their families feel comfortable, safe, and satisfied with the care they receive by extending hope and love.
What do you want society (or the general public) to know about your job?
Working in skilled nursing is a challenge yet very rewarding. We have a wide range of needs that we help our residents with and each person is unique. Our residents are important people and we spend a lot of time treating them as such.
What may be one thing leaders don’t know, that you wish they universally knew, about your job?
It takes special people that have love and patience to care for the elderly and create a positive atmosphere at the facility. I also work closely with our CNAs to maintain open communication and build relationships to make sure that they have common goals and can voice their concerns and ideas. I try to make my teammates feel appreciated and as a result they are loyal and happy colleagues. This approach leads to low employee turnover and a happier staff.
To view the Frontline Honors Class of 2022, visit frontlinehonors.agingmedia.com