Inside Athena: A New Berkshire CNA Hopes to Make a Long Career in Healthcare
SANDISFIELD, M.A. — Elleigh Sanctuary began her career as a certified nursing assistant at Berkshire Rehabilitation & Skilled Care Center four months ago. Having recently earned her CNA license over the summer, she shares that she couldn’t wait to step into her new role.
Sanctuary said it was her grandmother who inspired her to pursue a career as a CNA.
“I saw how the nursing staff were improving her life, and I wanted to help others and do the same,” she said. “I like it here a lot, it doesn’t even feel like work and I’m hanging out with grandparents all day.”
Prior to joining the team at Berkshire Rehab, she worked at an assisted living facility. What she enjoyed most about it was hearing from the residents and their life stories. She has found the same level of connection in her current role at Berkshire Rehab as she is able to connect with the residents and colleagues. Berkshire Rehab is an all-male facility offering short-term rehab and primarily long-term care. As a VA-contracted center, it primarily serves veterans, offering a secure environment tailored to behavioral management needs.
“I love hearing the stories they tell you about themselves,” she explains. “I really love connecting with people and we all work together as a team.”
As a CNA at the facility, Sanctuary said she learns something new every day.
“There are different things you see here, and you learn how to deal with the residents and redirection as they all need certain things. I learn something new every day. I go home and I always feel fulfilled that I helped them, and I did a good job,” she said.
Sanctuary said she plans to further her education next fall and hopes to enroll in Springfield Technical Community College to pursue her RN license. She was also recently named the October Employee of the Month at the center.
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