Kim Wakeling is ready to plant roots.

A Registered Practical Nurse at Helen Henderson Retirement Lodge in Amherstview, the brunette appears to be having a great year.

She bought a house, plans to get married this November and hopefully honeymoon in Japan. She is also the home’s Employee of the Month for June.

“I love it here,” the friendly woman says about the accredited retirement lodge in Amherstview. “I enjoy working with my coworkers. We have a great team. We have fun together. The residents are friendly and fun to be around which is why I became a nurse. I enjoy taking care of people and working in this type of environment.

“I have a lot of compassion for people,” she continues, “especially when they’re at the end of their life or dealing with dementia or multiple health problems.”

Speaking from the home in mid-May, Kim was selected for the award by residents and staff.

“It’s a very close-knit environment which is nice because a lot of homes are corporations and you don’t see the same type of family values,” she attests.

“This is the first place I’ve worked where it’s both assisted retirement living and nursing care. It’s nice when retirement lodge residents go the nursing home because we can still see the people we’ve known for years.”

Speaking on behalf of Helen Henderson Retirement Lodge, Manager Audrey Young notes, “Kim is relatively new in her nursing role and is constantly learning every day, however, this does not stop her from providing exceptional nursing care and customer service. She is kind, empathetic and brings a warmth to the health care team.”

Grateful for the recognition, the friendly woman admits she is looking forward to working on the house she bought with her fiancée.

“It’s an older house and I’m looking forward to the renovations,” she confirms. “We want to bring it to modern times.”

Asked to describe herself, Kim says she likes to lend a helping hand and make people laugh.

“I try not to take myself too seriously,” she says with smile. 

Questions for Kim

If you could rule the world, what would you do on day one?

“I’d make everyone debt-free. I’d also make health care free everywhere. Not everyone has the same luxuries as we do in Canada.”

If you weren’t working at your current job, what would you be doing?

“I went to school to be a physiotherapy assistant. I went back to school for nursing. I enjoy working with the elderly and I like to be hands-on. I also appreciate job security. Nursing seemed to fill all those boxes. I was always scared to become a nurse because I didn’t know if I could handle the stress, but I’m doing it.”

If you could have a superpower, what would it be?

“I think being able to fly would be interesting. I do have a fear of heights so I wouldn’t fly very high.”

Helen Henderson Retirement Lodge is grateful for the good work of Kim Wakeling. To learn more about living or working in our home, please visit call 613-384-4585.