Stephanie Croston

    Children often follow in their parents' footsteps when it comes to career paths. It's not as often when a parent's path follows that of the child.
     That's somewhat the case with the Robinson family of Cordova. Mother Barb is the dietary manager at Utica Community Care Center and recently received her certified nurse assistant (CNA) certificate.
     Son Andy, 20, is attending Southeast Community College in Lincoln and working toward his registered nurse degree. He recently earned his CNA certificate, as did daughter Amy, 16, a student at Centennial High School.
     "How proud can I be as a mom to see them doing God's work?" Barb said.
     Barb has been in healthcare for more than 20 years, working in the dietary field. She started in food service at age 14 as a busboy, a waitress and a bartender. She became a tray aid at Hearthstone and then moved to the Utica Care Center.
     "I always wanted to be able to help more," she said.
     Finances kept her from attending additional classes until she saw an ad for CNA classes at Hearthstone in York for $25.
     "I told Amy to take them and further her education," she said.
     Barb ended up taking the classes, too. They required 75 hours of coursework, as well as hands-on experience. She and Amy took the state exam on March 5 in York. Both passed.
     For Amy, the days during the three-week class were very full. She had school, daily four-hour CNA class, her jobs at the Friend Manor and Cordova Bar and Grill and sports practices. Fortunately, she said, she had a third-period study hall every day.
     "You make do with what you've got," she said. "I give credit to my teachers. My first-period math teacher was very understanding."
     Andy's road to his certificate was a little different.
     After he graduated from high school, he moved to Lincoln and lived with his aunt, who has been an RN for more than 20 years. They talked about her job, and he's been interested ever since.
     He said his mother always talked about going into the healthcare field, but he thinks she would be a good hospice nurse.
     "I don't know another person who could unconditionally care for someone without knowing them," he said.
     He is currently taking classes at SCC-Lincoln and working at Community Alternatives, a day service for mentally challenged adults.
     "It's my job to take care of everything they need," he said.
     That includes cleaning, shopping, cooking, laundry, hygiene and getting his 13 clients to and from work if necessary.
     He is also working as a home health aide through Tabitha.
     He was actually a little ahead of his mom and sister in the coursework, so the three were able to study together.
     "We all inspired each other to complete it," Andy said, adding that there was a little competition for high grades. "We harped on each other. We had a lot of fun with it."
     A CNA is someone who "can help the elderly or those unable to care for themselves," Amy said.
     CNAs help people dress, use the bathroom and feed themselves. However, Amy said, you have to be careful how you talk to the residents. While they may be physically old, they may be young in their minds.
     "We promote independence and dignity in a safe, home-like environment," Barb said.
     "It's a great feeling to help someone who can't help themselves," Andy said.
     As a home health aide, Andy said, he basically does what a nurse assistant does only in the patient's home.
     "The only difference is we do absolutely everything, including meds," he said. "It's more intensive care."
     Andy and Amy are two of Barb's five children. Her oldest son Billy, 25, is in the Marines but was a CNA in high school. He is now a mental health practitioner. Bob, 24, works in construction, and Emily, 15, is a student at Centennial.
     "She sees the enthusiasm and wants to do it," Barb said of her youngest daughter.
     Amy still works at the Friend Manor, while Barb continues at the Utica Community Care Center. She said her job as a registered dietician allows her to make sure a person's needs are met. But as a CNA, she can see the other side.
     "It makes me able to do my job better," she said. "It's just an awesome feeling."
     The biggest challenge for Barb has been to slow down and enjoy the time she has one-on-one with the Care Center residents.
     For Amy, the best part of being a CNA has been meeting new people.
     "The hardest part is you get to know them and help them on their way to their deathbed," she said.
     Barb agreed.
     "You do get attached. The hard part is losing people," she said.
     Amy said her ultimate goal is to be a historian/librarian. Andy, who originally wanted to be a pharmacist, hopes to be a nurse anesthetist.
     Once Andy completes his RN coursework at SCC, he will transfer to Nebraska Wesleyan, where he will complete his bachelor's degree in nursing. Since he will have his RN degree, he can work as a nurse while he finishes is bachelor's, he said.