“We join the National Guard for many reasons, but one of the highest priorities is to serve our community and serve our fellow Minnesotans especially in times of great need.”
Serving her fellow Minnesotans in a time of great need was what motivated First Lieutenant Sophia Vaughan of the Minnesota National Guard when she volunteered in November to be rapidly trained and deployed to serve in a Minnesota health care facility.
Since October 2021, more than 700 National Guard citizen Soldiers and Airmen have supported COVID 19 missions throughout the state. More than 400 Guard members were trained as certified and Temporary Nursing Assistants to assist with staffing shortages at over 35 long-term care facilities and transitional care units throughout the state.
Sophia was part of a team that was deployed to Cerenity Senior Care Marian Transitional Care Unit. Later she was deployed to Capitol Hill Transitional Care Unit. Those Transitional Care Units were set up to serve people recovering from COVID-19 or other illness or injuries who were too sick to be discharged to home but who could safely be moved out of hospital care to free up beds for patients who needed more acute care.
Providing that care to Transitional Care Unit patients, first as a Temporary Nursing Assistant and later as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), following additional training at Rochester Community and Technical College, changed Sophia’s perspective on her career goals. When asked at what point she decided to pursue a career in health care, she said it was a gradual realization, but one moment stood out to her.
“I remember helping out one lady and her son was in the room and he was asking how I was doing and I said this is so personally fulfilling to do this work I think I might want to do this longer,” said Sophia. “It’s been incredibly fulfilling knowing that the work that we’re doing is really making a difference and I’m a part of it. It’s really a chance to do my part to improve the current state of affairs.”
Sophia had been working for a decade in groundwater hydrology, but the experience of serving some of Minnesota’s most vulnerable residents during this time of crisis inspired her to make a move to career where she feels she can really make a difference. Now, she continues to work as a CNA at the Capitol Hill Transitional Care Unit and has applied to a local college in their Registered Nurse (RN) program. She plans to continue to work as a CNA while pursuing her RN.
“I have a newfound respect for those who work in health care, a deep respect for what they have gone through especially for the last two years, “ said Sophia. “The work is physically and emotionally demanding – but the challenges are far outweighed by the rewards.”
Sophia plans to continue to serve in the National Guard as she grows in her health care career. She is very interested in serving on humanitarian missions and her health care training will be very valuable on any such future missions.
Nursing Assistants are currently the 6th highest in demand occupation in Minnesota, and are projected to remain in strong demand over the coming decade. If you are interested in training to become a nursing assistant – or becoming a health care hero in a different position – contact staff at a CareerForce location near you to find out about health care training and employment opportunities in your area.
