There is much to be said about forging your own path in life – even if it comes at the urging of someone else. In Amanda Cashmore’s story, it was actually several people who suggested her path, starting when she was just a kid.
“I’ve always been told since I was younger, that I’d be good at nursing. But I really didn’t think I could do it,” said Amanda, who spent the last two decades working in the dental field instead. “So I’m 41 now and here I am doing it in an accelerated program. So, wow, I finally started listening to other people, and they were right. I really truly enjoy this. So I wish I would have done it sooner.”
Amanda is pursuing her nursing degree through Madonna University, and is scheduled to graduate in December. As part of her program, she came to Angela Hospice for a clinical rotation. She said it was a great experience.
“Everybody was really willing to train and teach. And it was a better experience than my hospital rotation. So I decided to come back and work,” she said, referring to her current role as a Student Nurse Associate (SNA).
Angela Hospice launched its SNA program during the pandemic as a way to provide extra support during nursing and nurse aide shortages, but the benefit has been two-fold: not only do the SNAs offer skilled support to assist the Angela Hospice team, but in turn they receive a rich, hands-on opportunity working in their field, along with the mentorship of experienced nurses and nurse aides.
For Amanda, this has been a great introduction to a nursing career.
“I’ve been continuing to get more experience than some of my other cohort members who are in the hospital setting,” she said.
And the work is extra special to her, too, having had a family member in Angela Hospice care.
“I think it’s an honor to take care of somebody in their final days and give them the best care they can get. I’m honored to do that,” Amanda said. “I think it’s very important to have people there to do that kind of work… I feel like that’s something that’s a calling.”
Amanda said taking care of her father as he passed helped prepare her for working in the hospice field. But for those who aren’t sure if they could handle a career in hospice, Amanda’s advice is simple: try it.
“It’s OK to try things out,” she said. “And really, that’s the only way to get the full experience…. It’s not for everybody, but the people who do love it, really do love it.”
The SNA position is open to students from any nursing school who have completed Med Surg 1 or Fundamentals of Nursing. For more information, or to submit an application, visit angelahospice.org/careers.
