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The fulfillment that Melanie Mills experiences as a continuing care assistant (CCA) shines through when she talks about how she is helping the patients she encounters every day at Fishermen’s Memorial Hospital’s Veterans Unit in Lunenburg.
Mills has worked as a CCA for the past nine years, joining Nova Scotia Health in 2022. Her interaction with patients is one of the most rewarding aspects of her role. “The biggest thing I love about my job is engaging in conversations with our patients to get to know them better and build relationships. I do my best to explain what is happening in a way that is meaningful to them and offer words of encouragement as part of the quality care we provide,” says Mills.
Her oldest patient is over 100 year’s young. “I often tell her she is my oldest best friend. Seeing her really makes my day and I know it makes her day as well,” says Mills.
Mills values the learning opportunities she has been able to access through Nova Scotia Health, having recently completed skin and wound care and pressure injury prevention education as well as a COVID testing training that enables her to further support her patients. Previously these care activities were limited to licensed practical nurses and registered nurses. The opportunity for CCAs to perform these tasks frees nurses to attend to patients with more complex care needs.
Mills has taken a leadership role in orienting new CCAs to the unit. She also recently supported the onboarding of an internationally educated nurse “We’re so grateful for internationally educated nurses that are coming from different places to help support us,” says Mills.
Mills enjoys the collaborative approach to care in her unit. “Each day the interdisciplinary healthcare team meets to discuss the status of each patient and any special care requirements”, says Mills.
Outside of work, Mills and her husband enjoy their hobby farm in Riverport, Lunenburg Co., about 20 minutes from Lunenburg, close to well-known Hirtle’s Beach. Their farm is home to about fifteen chickens, three pigs and two dogs - an 11-year-old black lab named Lucy and a German wirehaired pointer named Luke, who is four. Mills notes that their farm is aptly nicknamed, the “silly farm” as they never know what their menagerie might do next.
As avid gardeners, the couple have a passion for sustainability, and do their best to grow as much of their own food as possible. They are also keen outdoor enthusiasts. In the summer months you can often find them on their boat visiting the many islands along the LaHave River where they fish, picnic, hike and search for beach glass treasures.
“Melanie is a very caring and compassionate CCA, she always has the best interests of her residents in mind and goes above and beyond to ensure that resident care needs are met. Her positive attitude and infectious personality bring much joy and laughter to our unit. We are very lucky to have Melanie as part of care team”, says Abby Corkum, team lead at Veteran’s Long-Term Unit, Fishermen’s Memorial Hospital.
Photo of continuing care assistant, Melanie Mills.