North Bay RPN wants to be remembered for thoroughness and her heart Residents have much to give back, Amy Martin says   Friday May 14, 2010 -- Lisa Bailey Amy Martin is only 26 but she has an idea of what she’d like to be remembered for in her career as a registered practical nurse (RPN). “I genuinely care about the people I take care of and I treat them like they were one of my own grandparents,” she says. Martin also values thoroughness and stresses the importance of dedication and followup in her work because members of the nursing profession essentially hold “people’s lives in their hands.” Six years ago, she was a health-care aide studying to become an RPN when she secured a placement at Leisureworld Caregiving Centre North Bay. She has been at the long-term care home ever since. Martin says she’s “always really enjoyed working with the elderly,” which is partly behind her career choice. Another reason is because she’s always had a passion for helping others and taking care of them, as well as a desire to feel needed. Some of this, she suspects, stems from her upbringing. The oldest of three girls in her family, she helped her mother care for her siblings — and enjoyed doing it. Around age six, the notion of nursing took hold. Martin says she didn’t really know what a nurse was but was struck by a drawing in a children’s book of an animal dressed in the uniform. “I always wanted to be one after that,” she says. While other people her age may feel they can’t relate to the elderly or even fear them, Martin feels she “can learn a lot from them.” Residents have lived full, rich lives and have much knowledge from their experiences to impart to younger generations, she says. The assistance she can give to them at this stage of their lives means so much. “You’re grateful knowing that you’ve eased someone’s pain or that you’ve made them more comfortable, and that they’ve appreciated it,” she says. “I like making a positive difference in the lives of people (in long-term care),” Martin says, noting it can be something as simple as a smile or just visiting and talking for a few minutes. It’s the “many little moments” like these that are encouraging and tell Martin she’s “supposed to be there.” “Often you’ll see someone’s face light up when you walk into the room and they’ll say to you, ‘Oh, good you’re working today.’ That makes you feel good . . . they know you’ll take care of them.” National Nursing Week runs May 10-16, celebrating the resident-centred care given by these health-care providers and their dedication to advancing the health system. If you have feedback on this article, please contact the newsroom at 800-294-0051, ext. 25, or e-mail lisa(at)axiomnews.ca.