A selfless heart for those in need
Compassus recognizes nursing assistants who go ‘over and beyond’ their job
Shelia Shelton knew working in fast food wasn’t for her.
She was living in Illinois and working at McDonald’s when a friend told her about a nursing assistant program.
“I was hesitant at first, but I went down there anyway and I applied and passed the test,” Shelton said. “I went to school for 21⁄2 months and I got a job while I was in school doing it, and I just fell in love with it.”
Now, Shelton has been a nursing assistant for more than 25 years and is grateful she decided to pursue this career.
The Compassus hospice care program serving Memphis recognized Shelton and others during National Nursing Assistants Week last month.
“The reason why we recognized them is because these are nursing assistants that have gone over and beyond their job,” said Kevin Jones, executive director for Compassus — Memphis. “They don’t look at this as a job – they look at this as a passion and a drive, and they do whatever is possible.”
Shelton has shown devotion to her patients and their families in special ways.
“For example, a couple of months ago Shelia went out of her way to make goodies for staff in the facility and her patients, and that’s unheard of,” Jones said. “It’s good to find nursing assistants that go over and beyond the call of duty, and Shelia’s one of those that do that.”
Shelton has worked for Compassus for two years.
Nashville-based Compassus was founded in 2006 but has roots in hospice care dating to 1979, according to its website. The Memphis location has been around about two years.
“The overall goal is to offer comfort to patients,” Jones said. “It’s our goal to make sure that we not only take care of patients from a physical standpoint, but also emotionally, socially and spiritually.”
Shelton’s favorite part of being a nursing assistant is showing love to her patients.
“I want them to know that there are people out there who really care, and it doesn’t have to be family. There are people that care and really love them,” Shelton said.
“And it’s not all about me giving a bath or making up your bed; it’s all about me listening to you and laughing and talking with you. Majority of my patients, we talk about everything, and I love that.”