Dobson enjoys 50 year career as STNA
Lynne Hill and Mary Dobson smile for a photo at Kindred Transitional Care & Rehabilitation – Coshocton. Dobson has been an STNA for 50 years. Beacon photo by Josie Sellers
COSHOCTON – Mary Dobson likes taking care of people.
“I really enjoy the residents and spending time with them,” she said. “The money is not why I am here.”
Dobson, an employee of Kindred Transitional Care & Rehabilitation – Coshocton, has worked as an STNA for 50 years. Her mother-in-law got her started in the field in 1963 after she was married.
She began her career at Haven of Rest Nursing Home, which was on South Sixth Street and spent some time at the Coshocton County Home before coming to her current location in 1974.
Dobson said as an STNA she is responsible for getting residents of Kindred in the bath or shower in the morning, helping them with their breakfast, helping them in and out of bed, getting them to the bathroom, answering their call lights when extra assistance is needed and taking care of paperwork.
One of the biggest changes Dobson has seen in her field over the years is how patients are moved.
“We have a lot more modern things to work with to lift them in and out of bed and transfer them and it helps a lot,” she said.
Over the years Dobson has seen family members come to her facility.
“I treat everyone the same,” she said. “My mom was even in here but I didn’t take care of her. I didn’t want anyone thinking I gave her more attention.”
Nothing keeps Dobson from enjoying what she does.
“I’ve seen some really, really bad cases, but I like my job,” Dobson said. “I couldn’t quit. I want to work.”
The 66-year-old works at Kindred three days a week and also has picked up some private duty jobs.
“I enjoy caring for people and the responses you get from family members about how much they appreciate you,” Dobson said.
Her advice to anyone thinking about becoming an STNA is to make sure it is something you want to do.
“Everyone becomes like family and they keep you on the go,” Dobson said. “It’s not boring.”
Lynne Hill is one of the residents at Kindred who Dobson cares for.
“It (being an STNA) is a hard job,” Hill said. “Someone is always wanting something, but we appreciate what they do. I can’t walk so I have to depend on someone else to help me.”
josie@coshoctoncountybeacon.com
Category: People & Places
