Career advice: Home health aide

Wanda Murdaugh, 39, Valley Stream. She's with All Metro Health Care in Lynbrook.

Why did you go into this field?

My mom was sick and had so many good people taking care of her. I thought, 'I can do that. I'm going to give back.' An aide is a nurturing person. I felt this is what I really want to do. In a hospital it's the nurses and aides who are right there with the patients and the families, too.

It feels so good for a family to be at ease leaving their loved one in the care of someone they can trust. I lived with a patient for four years. She died a few weeks ago at age 100. I was holding her hand.

What would you say to someone considering this career?

It's a rewarding career. You get so much enjoyment. In order to do this, you have to have unconditional love. If you want a job where you are helping someone, this is the job for you.