Client Education

Personal Stories

"I Choose to Be a Nurse, to Give Care"

By: Janet Biswas

I'm a registered nursing student, working only the weekends. I'm in one person's home for 12 hours. It's good work for students who don't have to be there every day. And it's also convenient for me; I enjoy it 100%.

I'm very much a caring person, and I love to serve people. I have another bachelor's degree, but I choose to be a nurse, to give care, especially for the older people.

It's rewarding to me when my client is satisfied and happy. When I know I fulfill my responsibilities, you can tell. They'll compliment you. Or you can tell by their expression. They're happy to see me.

Sometimes, they try to take care of me. They'll ask me if I'm comfortable or if I ate. It's a relationship. It's not just, "I have to go there and work for 12 hours." It's a relationship.

Home health care is completely different from nursing attendant & personal care. The people who stay home want a little bit different treatment, and I think they definitely deserve a little bit extra.

Sometimes it's difficult to understand my clients. Their needs are different and the way they want to be treated is different. I need to consider their backgrounds when I perform my services: the way you talk to them and how you show respect. You have to consider their background and where they came from. It's our responsibility to make an adjustment-that's the most challenging part of the job.