Careers in Aging Caregiver Profile
Shawntika Evans, Restorative CNA at Highlands Lake Center in Lakeland
Shawntika Evans began working at Highlands Lake Center as a housekeeper in 2001. She was inspired to work in long-term care by her grandmother who raised her. She later challenged the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) test and passed it on the first try.
After working as a CNA, she then transitioned to Restorative CNA. She took multiple courses covering topics ranging from wound care to understanding different food consistencies and temperatures.
Shawntika loves working in long-term care because she enjoys learning about residents’ lives and hearing the stories that they share with her.
Shawntika’s goal is to make sure that everyone feels loved, including the residents and her fellow team members. She reminds us that we don’t really know what another person is going through until you sit and talk with them. Being a strong woman herself, she knows the burdens that many women carry and understands that sometimes it becomes overwhelming. Her compassion and thoughtfulness help everyone at the facility get through their day-to-day lives. She always gives a lending ear to those in need.
Shawntika’s position contributes to the quality of care and quality of life of the residents because of her consistency of care. The residents know her and her team and are comfortable because they feel safe and heard.
Shawntika would tell others that are considering long-term care as a career path that, “your heart must be in it to make a difference for yourself and the residents.”
Shawntika’s story provided by Amy Messer, Highlands Lake Center Administrator in Training
