For many families of loved ones who are in long-term or end-of-life care, it can be extremely challenging to leave their loved ones when they need to move into a nursing facility.

Having consistent care from the same nurse or group of nurses can be key to building trust between and patient and staff, and staff and the family.

As a nurse, Sarah Shea spends her days working to help people like Sondra Hopkins. She says at St. Camillus, it’s more than just a working relationship.

“She’s like extended family,” she said. “They really do become extended family, and I love to come to work and see you smile,” she said to Hopkins.

“See me smile? I smile most of the time,” Hopkins replied.

Hopkins says having someone she can trust on days when she’s smiling and days that she’s not means the world.

“She’s a piece of work, and I love her to pieces,” she said of Shea.

Shea says not just looking at it as a job, but seeing herself as an extension of the patient’s family is critical to doing her job well and making sure care is consistent.

“To know they have excellent care and I play a role in it is very fulfilling for me,” she said. “When I go home, I know that I have done a great job for these people, and they’re happy.”

She says it wasn’t always going to be that way as she had worked in cardiovascular surgery for 20 years. When her mother was receiving end-of-life care at the facility during the COVID-19 pandemic, she was inspired to make a career change, channeling that close personal care that her mother received.

“I saw the camaraderie and the teamwork and so much more and I wanted to give another family and other residence the same feeling I had,” she said.

Shea emphasizes that means not only caring for them medically in the literal sense, but getting to know them and their interests. For example, Hopkins loves animals.

“It’s so fun to watch them smile and be active in something to enjoy,” she said. “I just love to see it.”

As for giving that same care her mother received, Hopkins says she’s been successful.

“She says what she thinks, and was honest and if she feels that you really won’t do it right, she’ll tell you,” Hopkins said. “That’s the thing: I trust her, I trust her to pieces."