Elia K.

I am a RN who has been caring for my father since diagnosed with kidney cancer after battling bladder cancer two years ago. Through this caretaker position I have gained experience working with physicians/nurses/healthcare workers, learning how to organize/prioritize tasks surrounding his care and therapeutically communicating with him and the family. My decision to enter the health care as a nurse came from caring for my mother who has battled cancer for the past 13 years, first breast cancer and then bone cancer. Being involved with her post-op mastectomy care, taking her to chemotherapy and radiation treatments and the aftercare of such treatments has given me an insight into oncology, medical-surgical, senior health, nutrition, and health teaching. I have recently completed a job on the Acute Rehab unit at CPMC Davies Hospital, caring for patients that suffer complex catastrophic injuries/illnesses, i.e. stroke, spinal cord/brain injuries, amputation, hip fracture, neurological disorders, Alzheimer’s, osteoarthritis. I have gained expertise in transfer techniques and bowel treatment programs as well as physical/occupational therapy and daily caretaking responsibilities including bathing, fall prevention, cleaning, meals, etc. I enjoy working as a nurse and caretaker because I love to help individuals progress whether that be through motivation or assistance in maintaining their dignity and ability to continue their activities of daily living (ADLs) as much as possible.

I've been caregiving for the past 3 years.