by James Coburn – staff writer
There are a lot of good people to like at Wolfe Living Center at Summit Ridge, said Chasitie Mize, LPN. The administration’s heart is in the right place. And the residents have changed Mize’s life. She’s learned a lot from them, she said.
“They’ll tell you where they went wrong and what they could have done better,” she said.
Mize said that growing up was not always ideal for her. But she’s learned how to live a better life by knowing her patients, she said. She feels that each person she cares for is part of her family.
“I hope they feel the same,” she said. “They make comments about adopting me and me being their grandkid,” she said. (story continues below)
She admires how helpful the nurse aides are to the residents and staff. The nursing staff is nice, and she’s found their dedication and kind spirit is something that is not evident everywhere. The nursing staff members will purchase snacks for the residents from their own paychecks during times when a resident has asked for a certain snack. One CNA has bought a bath supply for a resident wanting something.
“If somebody wants a lotion, she’ll go out and get it out of her own paycheck,” Mize continued. “The girls are great. They take time out of their day to visit and spend some one-on-one time with the patients. And that means a lot to the patients. I love the girls — they’re fantastic.”
The residents enjoy the socialization provided by the staff. Everyone appreciates a listening ear, no matter the age or circumstance in life. It’s part of being human. The nursing staff takes that to heart.
“It makes a huge difference. They feel loved and cared for,” Mize explained. “They appreciate the girls taking the time. They know that they’re busy. I’ve had several patients brag about how this person spent this much time with them, — how good this person did with their bath and the time they spent to do extra little things for them. I have a fantastic team. It’s so good to have these girls, we’ve struggled through so much stuff together being short staffed during COVID. They don’t complain. We just pull together, and we get things done.”
As a team manager, Mize inspires them by positive interaction to keep their spirits up, she said. She provides treatments, assesses patients, make sure everyone is doing their share, make sure everyone eats.
“I try to make sure they get supplements if they don’t eat,” she said. “We ensure that if they need something from the doctor, that they get it.”
Not every day is perfect. Some days are more challenging than others. But motivation runs deep. Just being able to help a resident is enriching, she said.
“I was born to do this — I was meant to do this — it’s what God made me for,” she said. “It feels good to be able to be there for them and help them. I like spending time with them. I don’t feel like it would be worth it if I didn’t.”
The connections that a CNA or certified nurse aide makes with residents is uplifting and changes one’s perspective about a lot of things, she said.
Mize said she learned a lot being a CNA and was very good at it. CNAs in the nursing industry break their backs, and not for a whole lot of money, she said.
“They are humble, and they are happy to be there for you. And they know they don’t make that much money, but they still want to do all these extra things for the residents. I think I wouldn’t be as good as a nurse had I not done that first. I think that inspired me. I think once I learned I had talent for it and how much I loved it — something told me this is what I was meant to do,” she said.
Mize began working at Wolfe Living Center in Harrah as a CNA in 2005 before earning her LPN credential at Mid-Del Technology Center. Schools teach best practices and provide scenarios about what to aspire to in a perfect hospital when this is not a perfect world, Mize said.
She rarely works extra shifts, but she rarely leaves the facility on time, she said. On a good night, she will go home at 11 p.m., but often stays beyond her shift to 2-3 a.m., she continued.
“I’ve been here until 4 a.m.,” Mize said.
Her time at work doesn’t go without a thank you from residents.
She has plenty to keep her occupied at home, too. Mize just had a baby boy who is 8 months old.
“We play and have fun and I like to take bubble baths to relax,” she said.
For more information on Wolfe Living Center visit: https://www.wolfelivingcenter.com/ or call 405-454-1400.
