Katrena Hanson is a Certified Nursing Assistant at Legacy Care Home. She received her CNA certification in 2022 and joined the organization in 2023. In little over a year she has become an indispensable member of the team. Recently we sat down to speak with Katrena about her experience working at LCH.
Question:
Nursing assistants, like other nursing positions in healthcare, are in great demand. Why did you choose to come to work at Legacy Care Home?
Katrena:
I love getting to know residents on a personal level. At Legacy Care Home we have a very low resident-to-staff ratio. Three or four to one is really low compared to other organizations I considered, and this allows me to really get to know our residents as individuals. It feels really good to earn their trust and have them become comfortable enough to open up to me. I love knowing that I am a “safe” person to them.
Question:
What do you like about your day-to-day work at LCH?
Katrena:
I really enjoy cooking meals for residents and engaging them in activities they enjoy. Many CNAs at larger facilities have so many residents to care for that they’re barely able to keep up with providing basic care, like cleaning and bathing, physically assisting them, checking vital signs, and so on. At LCH I have the time to cook for them, engage them in activities they enjoy, and do the types of things that a caring family member would do. The family feeling at LCH is something special, both for our residents and for our staff. It really does feel like a home, not just a care facility. There’s a real sense of closeness and community.
Question:
What do you like to do in your free time? How do you spend your time when you’re not working?
Katrena:
I like hanging out with my sisters and spending time with my family. [Ideally we could get a little more about what you like to do with your sisters. Where do they live? Where do other family members live? Where did you grow up? Do you have any hobbies? Pets?]
What her colleagues say:
Katrena has a huge heart for people. She understands the importance of taking care of the little things, from how residents’ rooms are organized, to how to interact with each resident personally in a way that makes them feel valued. These kinds of things lead to a better quality of life for the people she cares for. Katrena is also super reliable, and residents count on her for that stability. If I had to sum it up in one phrase, I’d say she expresses a ‘loving consistency’
— Jason
Katrena has excellent communication skills and great attention to detail. She really takes the time to get to know residents on a personal level and to learn their likes and dislikes. That kind of attention to the details of each resident’s preferences make them feel special & truly cared for.
— Cat
