Brook Thomsen is a senior at Callaway High School and comes from a family of two brothers, two sisters, and three dogs. Caring for people is something that has become a passion for Brook.

She currently works at Callaway Good Life Center where she serves as both a dietary aid and a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant). She explained what she does at her job as she gave her senior presentation to the student body of CHS.

“The typical duties and responsibilities I have as dietary aid are to set the resident's table, and I take them their food and drinks and I record their intakes,” she shared.

As for her duties as a CNA, Brook said, “I answer call lights and I help the residents with anything they need help with. Anytime in the shift, I do charting on the computer.” She explained that there is no specialized training or education required for the dietary aid position. However, to get her certification as a CNA did require extra work.

“As a CNA, I had to take a 2-month class. Then I had to get signed off on certain tasks and pass the state test,” she explained.

Brook is planning to continue to work in that field after graduation, and shared what a person can expect as far as a salary for such a job. “For a CNA the starting salary is $17 or $18 an hour. Experienced CNAs make up to $49,920. The average dietary aid salary is $22,500, but experienced dietary aids can make up to $26,205,” she said.

Making a career as a CNA is something Brook says she can see herself doing. “I see myself pursuing a career because I attended a CNA class to get the job. It helped that I worked in dietary which made me think about doing CNA,” she explained. “I also did job a job shadow at the nursing home as a CNA, which gave me a better insight of what I would be dealing with. I will also be doing this job after high school and I will transfer to full-time shifts.”

Brook said her work schedule currently varies. “In CNA, I mainly work the 2-10 p.m., 2-9 p.m. or the 1-7 p.m. shift. In dietary I work from 4-8 p.m., and in the mornings I work from 6 a.m. - 2 p.m.”

Brook said she feels that Callaway Public School has helped prepare her for post-high school by “advancing myself in my academics and helping me stay focused on my future.”

Her advice to underclassmen? “Avoid procrastination, and always ask for a second opinion.”