Here at Arbor Oaks Health and Rehabilitation Center, we really depend on our CNAs (Certified Nursing Assistants). They are the front line of care for our elders and the backbone of our business. From cheerfully assisting with personal care needs to taking vital signs to share with nurses, our beloved CNAs brighten every room they walk into, and we couldn’t operate without them.
Every June, when CNA Week rolls around, our entire staff , all the elders, and even the extended Malvern community come together to shower these amazing people with appreciation. This year’s CNA Week was one for the books!
The week of excitement began with Travis Worthington, from Arkansas Farm Bureau Insurance Company, treating our CNA family to a cookout. We spent a perfect afternoon enjoying freshly prepared burgers, sweet cupcakes, and each other’s company.
On day two, MaryKate, from Elite Hospice, brought all the fi xings for ice cream nachos. A pile of broken cones, a scoop of vanilla, and chocolate syrup? What’s not to love?!? As you can imagine, these sweet treats were a big hit with our entire Malvern crew.
The third day of the best week ever was sponsored by our friends at Healthcare Services Group. They sent us a food truck! We enjoyed socializing over lemonade, funnel cakes, and hilarious rounds of Soda Pong. When evening came, our night-shift CNAs were all smiles when Arbor Oaks’ very own Connie Rook arrived with her super-cute charcuterie cups. She layered pretzels, cheese, and salami, added a tiny cornichon pickle and an olive skewer, and topped each cup with a fresh strawberry. These palate-pleasing antipasti parfaits were culinary genius!
On day four, staff members enjoyed a catered breakfast. Special thanks to Scarlett, our director of nursing, who brought yummy sausage biscuits. By afternoon, our team and elders were sipping on beautiful craft mocktails. And at shift change, our night crew was surprised by a nacho dinner!
We rounded off the week with an act of service: a car wash – especially for CNAs. All they had to do was pull up, and we got to work, making their vehicles shine like the sun! The Arbor Oaks annual CNA Car Wash is always a crowd-pleaser.
It is a true pleasure to celebrate National CNA Week, also known as National Nursing Assistants Week, a tradition that has been celebrated every June since 1977. The important work of CNAs can’t be underestimated. Since they emerged as Red Cross Volunteer Nurses’ Aide Service members during World War I, they have been providing great relief for nurses, who have come to appreciate and depend on these amazing professionals.