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From a young age, I was always a helper. I worked as a full-time nanny and volunteered with the American Red Cross as well as my church. When my dad was deployed, I helped raise my younger brother and even set up a fundraiser to send toys, food, and supplies to Iraqi families who had been left with nothing as war raged through their country. Helping others made me feel good. Being able to assist someone and put a smile on their face is what motivates me to achieve greatness.
During my senior year in high school, my grandma fell ill and moved in with us. With my dad away and my mom working full-time, I was in charge of caring for my grandmother. I helped her get ready in the morning, take her medicine, prepare her meals, and just interact with her. Prior to moving in, she had experienced depression. Even a walk around the block or a game of mancala lifted her spirits immensely. It was personally rewarding that I could bring so much happiness to her and I will cherish those memories forever.
Not only was I helping to heal my grandmother’s physical and mental state; she was healing mine. Being my grandma’s go-to-girl helped me tune into my compassionate and empathetic self. I didn’t view it as a chore but rather a bonding experience. Elderly individuals are wise, and if we all slowed down with our busy lives, we could learn valuable lessons from them. One piece of advice my grandma provided me with before she passed away was never to take a single day for granted. This knowledge from my grandmother helped shape me into the person I am today and subconsciously pointed me in the direction of a career in caregiving.
After graduating high school, I had no idea which direction to point myself in career-wise. I started to brainstorm different career paths and occupations that fit my personality, when it dawned on me: I wanted to help people. Although I had cared for my grandmother over the years, it never occurred to me that I could be compensated for my duties.I missed my grandmother tremendously and longed for that feeling of self-gratification that came along with caring for her. I briefly researched caregiving as a career and found many programs as well as testimonials from caregivers who enjoyed their jobs. I was a compassionate yet diligent worker, and my personality traits seemed to match up with the personal qualifications of caregiving.
One of my main criteria in searching for jobs was employment availability. I was not going to pursue a career in something that was not in high demand. Luckily for my generation (I’m 21,) the baby boomers are reaching old age. This means that as they retire and require more medical assistance, the healthcare industry will be forced to expand. According to the National Association for Home Care and Hospice, the senior population is expected to double between now and 2050. This large population will require at least one million new healthcare jobs by 2024. Just another reason for me to pursue a career in caregiving.
In conclusion, the abundance of employment opportunities paired with my desire to give back to the elderly community is what drove me to pursue a career in caregiving. Being able to provide joy to aging individuals is what makes me who I am. All of the benefits that come along with this career choice were held close to my heart. After doing some research on different caregiving training programs, I decided that it would be wise to stay in my home state of New Jersey in order to complete my training. I lived in Central Jersey at the time, near Princeton, and one of my main problems with the programs offered was the commute. I was looking for something local and easily accessible.
That’s when I stumbled upon Pawson Career Institute.
Why Pawson Career Institute?
I chose Pawson Career Institute for a number of reasons. This organization stuck out to me because they put emphasis on being flexible and working with your schedule in order to get you certified.
Hybrid / Online Classes: The Certified Home Health Aide (CHHA) program offers its training courses in an online format. This was advantageous to me because I could complete my sessions in the comfort of my own home without having to drive to a facility. I also could proceed with the material at my own pace within guidelines, and I could attend class in my PJs! I really enjoyed the online courses and highly recommend the online CHHA program to anyone who may have scheduling or flexibility issues.
I officially began the process by enrolling on the school’s website.
If you or anyone you know has an interest in becoming a Certified Home Health Aide, please feel free to contact Pawson Career Institute for more information at 609-416-2442.