Certified Nursing Assistant Connects Patients with Comforting Care at the Right Time
Christina Nyamai, a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) at Bluegrass Care Navigators, partners with hospice patients and families on their end-of-life journey, providing the comfort of personal care. After working as a marriage and family therapist for ten years, she felt it was time for a change. Although she knew the work of a CNA would be challenging, she has found peace, happiness and purpose in her new career. For Nyamai, being a CNA is about offering the comfort of presence and relationship in a difficult time.
“I’m willing to be a partner in your dying process,” she said. “I’m willing to stand with you in this vulnerable moment and walk alongside you and your family. I love helping patients and families have what they need to get through this last leg of the journey and beyond so they don’t have to walk alone.”
As a CNA, Nyamai gives a lot of baths. For her, giving a bath is an entry point.
“It’s not just a bath,” Nyamai said. “It’s being present in a vulnerable time. The families know you’re there and trust you to take care of their person. And there’s nothing like a bath to make a person feel human again.”
Nyamai uses some of the skills she learned as a therapist, such as empathy and active listening, to help her patients feel seen, heard and valued. She recalls one patient who was a veteran and lived alone without any family. He trusted few people, but by providing compassionate care, Nyamai and the clinical team built a relationship with him and helped him maintain his best quality of life.
“BCN is the only place I’ve ever worked that really cares about the empathy part,” Nyamai said. “You actually have time! We are allowed an hour with each person, which is unheard of. But it’s great because all my patients are unique, and I get to build a relationship with each of them.”
Nyamai carries a caseload of six to eight patients and sees them three to four times per week. She and her fellow CNAs serve as the eyes and ears for the nurses and relay patient updates so the team is fully informed to provide comfort and care.
“When it comes down to it, we’re the connectors,” she said. “Sure, I’ll help you feel clean, which is nice, but I’m also going to listen to you talk. If you’re in physical, emotional or psychological distress, we’ll find a way to fix it and connect you with the nurse, chaplain or social worker to give you the care you need.”
BCN’s primary goal is to provide compassionate physical, emotional and spiritual care to patients and their families coping with serious illness. If your personal goals align with ours, we’d love to have you apply to join our team! View our open positions and apply at bgcarenav.org/careers.
