Her Story
About Janice
I've been a CNA for 46 years, and it's something I've always loved to do. I originally wanted to be a Navy nurse, but that didn't happen. When my two oldest daughters were young, I went back to school and took the CNA classes, and I've just done that ever since. I decided I didn't want to be a nurse anymore because their job is medicine, assessments, and paperwork, but my job is hands-on taking care of the patient, and that's what I love. Currently, I do private duty caregiving, which I've been doing for going on 3 years this time around. I've done it off and on over the years because being a caregiver is very hard, so sometimes I would just take a break and do something else for a little bit. But I just love taking care of people, and that's why I've done it for so long. My day-to-day involves going in and assessing what the client needs most and taking it from there. I do housekeeping if necessary, sit and talk to them if that's what they need, and just take care of the patient or client. I've had a lot of proud moments throughout my career. I've held hands for people that were dying and didn't want to be left alone. I've helped save a couple people because I walked in on situations that happened right before I walked in, and I called and let the higher-ups know what was happening so we got that taken care of. When you're a caregiver, there are a lot of good moments and a lot of sad, bad ones, but it's a very rewarding career.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Janice
01What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Make sure this is what you want. Don't go in it for the money, because these people need more than that. They need somebody that really cares and that's really gonna take care of them. If you're only thinking about money or just advancing your career, this is not the way to do it. You have to have the heart for it and the passion. If you don't, don't go into nursing, doctoring, or anything like that. It takes a lot of heart and a lot of passion.
02What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The money's not all that great, but it's the heart of it and the wanting to take care of people and take care of their needs when they can no longer do what they need to do for themselves. Being a caregiver is very hard work, which is why I've had to take breaks over the years and do something else for a little bit before coming back to it.
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