Colette (Coke) Jahnke balances her work as a certified nursing assistant and as a mom by working the night shift at Perham Living. For the past 20 of her 39 years at the skilled nursing facility, she has worked the night shift, and she wants to share why she loves it and encourages others to consider it.

A typical night

Coke’s shift starts at 10 p.m. and ends at 6:15 a.m. By the time she arrives, the residents are in bed. Throughout the night, she checks on residents, ensuring everybody is safe and sound in their beds. Sometimes, she may have to help residents move from their beds to a recliner partway through the night so they can get a good night’s sleep.

A typical night includes attending to the residents’ needs and may consist of a bit of house cleaning, laundry, helping set up for breakfast, or any other activities that may be going on the next day. If the resident has an early morning appointment or a special day planned, she helps them pick an outfit and get ready.

However, she considers the most important part of her job to be caring for the emotional needs of the residents. “Residents require caring individuals to give them time and attention. Ninety percent of our duties are patient care and attending to their needs,” she explains.

Why she started doing the night shift

When her kids became teenagers, Coke switched to the night shift so she could be around for her kids during the day and early evening. “It had to do with family. When my kids were getting more involved in school and activities, I wanted to be there for them. The night shift allowed me that flexibility,” remembered Coke.

Best part of the job?

Coke’s favorite part of the night is the time she gets to spend engaging with the residents. “I am their emotional support during the middle of the night. Maybe something is bothering them, or they might be excited, and they want somebody to sit with them for a while and listen. I am very grateful that my job allows me to hold their hand and listen to what they say. The night shift gives me the time to do that,” she says.

“I don’t have all the responsibilities that the day shift does, like helping them get dressed, helping them get to meals, and preparing for bed.”

The pros of working the night shift.

Coke likes the night shift for the following reasons.

• It gives her time to be with her kids. When they were younger, she could go to their sporting events and activities.
• The special one-on-one time she gets to spend with residents.
• With fewer people working at night, you can make many decisions independently.
• You get to work at your own pace.
• The peace and quiet of the night.

The residents are like family.

The residents become part of Coke’s family, and she is part of theirs. They want to know what happens in her daily life and hear all about it when she takes time off.

“I feel like I’m their grandchild, and I want to be there for my grandparents at night to hold their hands and listen. The night shift lets me be there for them,” she explains.

When the various holidays roll around, she dresses up for the residents, wearing goofy outfits or blinking Christmas lights. She finds that it makes the residents laugh and talk about it all day.

Challenges can be overcome.

Coke admits that she has to miss some family events, but her family is very understanding.

Her life is a bit unusual. “When I get off work, I do stuff around the house and visit with my husband until he leaves for work. Once he leaves, I sleep for a few hours. Then I’ll get up and do stuff in the afternoon. Then I nap again towards the evening to be ready for work. I try to keep the same schedule even on my days off,” explains Coke.

She still loves the night shift after 20 years.

Coke’s kids are grown now, but she keeps doing the night shift because she loves it. “My kids are 30 and 27 now, so I no longer need to work the night shift. But I love it. I like the whole process of coming in at 10 p.m. and taking care of the residents,” she says.

“It makes me proud to know that they feel safe and can get a good night’s rest because they know I am there watching over them.”

What she likes about working for Perham Living

They’re an excellent company to work for. They allow you to grow in whatever field you want to work in. I’ve seen it where a co-worker went from being a dietary person to becoming a nursing aide and nurse. They encourage people to go back to school,” she shares.

“I can’t say enough about Perham Living and Perham Health. I get teary-eyed when I talk about it because I think they’re the best place in the world to work.”

Thinking about the night shift or have questions?

Coke says to come in, see what the night shift is about, and check out the facility. She is willing to sit down, talk to anybody, and answer any questions.

“We would love to have you join our team,” she says.

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Why being a CNA matters  Serving Others

CNAs are an essential part of the residents’ care team. They provide residents with physical care and emotional support and truly make a difference in the lives of our residents and their families. CNAs provide direct one-on-one patient care and develop a trusting relationship with our residents. Our elderly need people like you to brighten their day.

How to become a CNA

Perham Living offers a CNA training program called OnTrack CNA, which combines online training and hands-on skill training at Perham Living. You don’t need experience. Whether looking for a career change or reentering the workforce, you can explore whether a CNA job is right for you.

Learn more about being a CNA or call 218-347-1921. Learn more about the Long Term Care Scholarship or call 218-247-1819.

About Perham Health 

Perham Health is a 25-bed Critical Access Hospital with three primary care clinics located, a 96-bed nursing home, home care agency, adult day services, memory care assisted living, and housing.  The medical staff consists of 25 physicians, a nurse midwife, 15advance practice clinicians, and three chiropractors. Visit perhamhealth.org to learn more.