From North Shore Health - June 13, 2026

By: Amy James, Skin and Wound Nurse Specialist, North Shore Health

In my 15 years at North Shore Health, I have served as a floor nurse, the Resident Care Manager, and am now the Skin and Wound Nurse. Through each of these roles, I have gained a deeper understanding of what makes excellent resident care possible. Repeatedly, I have come to appreciate a group whose contributions are truly indispensable; the Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs). They are at the heart of resident care, providing the daily support, compassion, and attention that help residents maintain their dignity, independence, and quality of life.

In the midst of busy schedules, routines, and responsibilities, it is easy to focus solely on the work that needs to be done. Sometimes, however, we forget to tell the story of ourselves to ourselves. When we don't take time to reflect on our values, celebrate our growth, and acknowledge the challenges we have overcome, we may lose sight of our purpose, our "why."

At North Shore Living, North Shore Health's skilled nursing facility, our dedicated CNAs are the bread-and-butter, boots-on-the-ground caregivers who make a meaningful difference in residents' lives every day. They assist residents in countless large and small ways, empowering them to do what they are able to do and to be their best selves every day. In recognition of National CNA Week, June 11–17, 2026, I invited our CNAs to reflect on their own "why" and share the reasons they chose this important work and continue to serve with such dedication.

Common themes that emerged included passion, trust, pride, learning, people, fulfillment, and joy. Many CNAs shared sentiments like, “I like to bring hope and happiness to the residents,” “I like to care for residents the way I would want to be cared for,” and “I feel valued for the work I do.”

CNAs provide care to multiple residents each shift and their work often encompasses all of these sentiments. It may be tedious, emotionally challenging, physically exhausting, and at times frustrating. Yet, without exception, our CNAs continue to choose their role, providing care and caring to the residents they serve each day.

The work of CNAs is evidence that there are more important goals in life than simply being “well”. For most residents, health challenges are the reason they can no longer live at home. Yet living well is about more than physical health alone. Well-being involves finding purpose, dignity, and connection despite the physical or cognitive challenges these elders face. 

The Eden Alternative is an elder care movement with a mission to improve the well-being of elders by transforming the communities in which they live. This group has identified and defined 7 Domains of Well-Being for elders living in the spectrum of care: Identity, Growth, Autonomy, Security, Connectedness, Meaning, and Joy.  These domains recognize that quality care extends beyond meeting physical needs; it also involves honoring each person's individuality, relationships, purpose, and sense of belonging.

At North Shore Living, these principles come to life through the work of our dedicated CNAs who provide compassionate care around the clock. Because ours is a small nursing home community, CNAs have the opportunity to know each resident as an individual and tailor care to their unique preferences and routines. They know who prefers coffee or tea in the morning, when residents like to wake up, shower, or go to bed, what clothing makes them feel most comfortable, which foods they enjoy or avoid, whether they prefer meals in their room or the dining room, and which activities bring them the most fulfillment.

All of these details are known, honored, and integrated into the daily routines.  The foundation for excellent care is relationship, and no one in our organization has a closer relationship with residents than our CNAs.

For these relationships to thrive, CNAs must be present; not just to provide care, but to listen, remember, and engage. As they do, they bring opportunities for residents to be well known, to have choice, to maintain dignity, to feel safe, to engage meaningfully, to belong, and to experience moments of joy.

As we celebrate National CNA week, let’s take time to thank our CNAs and listen to their stories; because their stories are part of ours. As we listen, let’s also take a look around and see their story reflected in the well-being of our residents.

If you are interested in starting your health care career path, North Shore Health offers a CNA Education program designed to prepare learners for safe, person-centered care in long-term care, assisted living, and healthcare settings. To learn more visit: https://www.northshorehealthgm.org/community-education

For more information, visit: https://www.northshorehealthgm.org. Stay tuned for future informative “Getting to Know North Shore Health” articles published monthly in the Cook County News Herald.