by Ruby Arsenault, Employment Coach/Facilitator with the Tignish Employment Resources Centre
This past summer, students Tristan Blackmore and Lani McCue worked at Tignish Seniors Home.
Students are an important component of the workforce even more so today as each industry struggles to find and retain workers.
This summer, the Tignish Seniors Home Care Cooperative Ltd. welcomed several students who played a huge role in assisting staff in the day-to-day care of the residents.
Tristan Blackmore is a third-year university student working towards a Bachelor’s degree in business administration and then plans to work towards a CPA. His role within the facility for the summer months was as an office assistant.
“I am so very grateful for his hard work and dedication,” says Manager LoriAnne Keough. “He was a complete pleasure to have and we hope he will return next summer.”
“I helped with payroll, bookkeeping, filing, data entry/journal entries and answering phones,” says Tristan. “I also assisted in other ways such as helping with technical issues with computers and playing guitar to entertain the residents.
“I absolutely loved my position and I believe the hands-on skills I gained will assist me in my education. I found the staff and residents were all so amazing and each day flowed nicely.
“I credit the Tignish Employment Resource Centre for informing me of the position and assisting me in applying.”
Lani McCue is a grade 12 student with a passion for helping others and a career goal of becoming a nurse. “The Tignish Employment Centre encouraged me to apply at the Tignish Seniors home,” says Lani.
“I thought it would be an excellent way to gain an inside view of what a caregiver does, and I am so very happy I did. I absolutely love helping care for the seniors and I hope to remain employed on a part-time basis once I return to school.
“I assist the residents with personal hygiene, baths, getting dressed, and at mealtime. My favorite part of the day is when I have time to just sit and talk with the seniors and spend quality time with them. I know how much they love the attention and care and this summer placement definitely strengthened my goal to enter the field of nursing.”
LoriAnne says that the summer students hired at the facility played an important role in providing high quality care and services to the residents of the Tignish Seniors Home.
“Some students have decided to continue working casual or part-time,” says LoriAnne. “I believe their experience here gave them confidence to return to work here or to embark in the study of nursing or personal care.
“Their enthusiasm and smiles and hard work were vital to our summer operation, and we are now in search of staff to fill those areas when the students leave.”
Summer placements add confidence to post-secondary training
Jolene Ellsworth will graduate from UPEI’s Bachelor of Nursing degree program in the spring of 2023. “I have worked here at the senior home for the past three summers, providing care and basic Activities of Daily Living for the residents,” says Jolene. “My favorite part of my summer placement is building a connection with the seniors and interacting with them.
“This is an excellent way for me to gain hands-on training in my field and to add to my confidence in choosing a nursing career. I think this is an awesome opportunity for anyone to see if this is the line of work they like and to contribute to our seniors’ well being.”
Marie Rayner is a Care Provider at the Tignish Senior Home. She plans to attend the Holland College LPN program in January 2023.
“I was unsure whether to choose youth & childcare or nursing,” says Marie. “The Career Bridges program helped me realize that nursing was my number one field of interest. I would highly recommend the Career Bridges program to anyone who is unsure of what they would like to do as a career or a job.”
Marie says her favorite part of her duties at the senior home is helping residents with their activities and seeing the smiles of appreciation on their faces.
Hiring needs
Tignish Seniors Home is looking to hire part-time/casual workers in all departments in cooking, cleaning, and care provider roles.
For more information, email LoriAnne Keough or submit your resumé to her at manager@tignishseniorshome.com
For more information about the Tignish Employment Resource (ER) Centre, call Ruby Arsenault at 902-882-2498 or check Facebook.
Career Bridges is a 12-week vocational assessment and guidance program for people considering a career change or further training.
For more information, call
O’Leary | 902-726-3016
Summerside | 902-436-5739
Charlottetown and Montague | 902-566-2811
Visit www.careerbridges.pe.ca