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Mondesir, a Certified Nursing Assistant, has gained a reputation for embodying Waveny's mission of providing personal care for each resident. “After my first shift here, the night supervisor would ask for me by name whenever she called the agency for support,” said Mondesir. “Finally one evening, she approached me during my break and offered me a part-time position, which is what really opened the door."
Mondesir believes that quality care begins with a sense of understanding that comes from paying closer attention and relating to every patient. “Everyone’s different; you just need to pay attention," said Mondesir. “The patients that joke with you usually want you to joke back, while others who keep to themselves must be respected too. If you watch, listen and are willing to wait for it, people let you know what they want.”
For Mondesir, each day is different and it requires the ability to stay calm regardless of the situation. From new grads to a seasoned career veterans, patience and flexibility are essential because anticipating the unknown is part of the job. “Patience is the most important thing in the world,” said Mondesir.
For all the staff members at Waveny, it’s the little things that lie at the heart of patient care. “I don’t fall into a routine,” said Mondesir. “Instead, I always look for a way to make things better. If you hear the call bell, answer it. If you are busy taking a little extra time with your patient, just explain that you’ll be with them in five minutes. Not only will your simple response calm them down and provide reassurance, but it tells the patient a lot about yourself."
Now a Waveny veteran, Mondesir knows it can take a village to make a difference in the life of a patient. “All parts of the team need to support one another to carry the load, especially with new staff," said Mondesir. "The patients are the best part of my job and knowing that I’m making a difference in someone’s life is very important to me.”
To find out more about Waveny's staff members, click here.
