Born To Care for Others
Belfast Adult Education Class of 2005 Alumna
Niki Arlen is a ray of sunshine. One of her main goals is to bring that sunshine
to people who need it most. One of the ways Niki does this is through her job as
a CNA in the endoscopy unit and the ER at Waldo County General Hospital. She
greets her patients with a warm smile and comforting words then chats with
them about positive things to help keep their nervousness at bay.
At a very young age Niki dreamed of finishing school and going on to take care
of elderly people. She loved spending time with older people and enjoyed
hearing their stories and bringing them comfort and company. Because of the
joy her visits with the elderly people brought her, she was determined to have a
career doing just that; however, her journey was not a straightforward one. As
a teen, she became pregnant and didn’t have the resources to finish high
school. Without her education, her goal of working in the medical field was out
of reach. Niki did lot let that discourage her for long, and she returned to
Belfast Adult Education where she completed her GED ® and earned her CNA
certificate. After achieving those credentials, Niki did not look back. Niki says,
“From that point on I chose to keep striving and wanting a better life. I raised
my son by myself [but] did have family support.” Belfast Adult Education
provided her with the education she needed to move forward, and she is very
grateful to the staff at BAE who encouraged her and supported her along the
way. Of the Belfast Adult Education experience, Niki says, “[They were] very
nice supportive people. I remembered that they wanted [students] to succeed
and that no one was a failure. We were all ages in the class I had. In my CNA
class as well… all ages. We need more people in this world to believe in each
other. Boost people up instead of putting them down or judging.”
As a young mother, Niki had to work two and three jobs at a time to support
her son, but she was able to do what she felt born to do—take care of others.
She worked at home care, hospice, nursing home long term care, and assisted
living. It was hard work with long hours, but Niki felt like she was doing what
she was meant to do., what she had wanted to do when she “grew up.”
In 2008, Niki left Maine and worked for an agency, assisting elderly patients
who were in surgical rehab. She worked there until 2016 and felt that she
learned many different aspects of being a CNA. She also mentored other new
CNA’s and supported them when they struggled with time management,
talking with others, or patient care. “I respect anyone who ever wants to
become [a CNA],” Niki says.
In 2016, Niki returned to Maine to be closer to family and got a job on the
medical surgery unit at Waldo County General Hospital. There she continued
to grow and develop her skills. While doing that, Niki flourished with her
positive attitude. She says that she enjoys learning new things and has a goal
of getting into surgical technician school. She says “I applied for the program
but unfortunately didn’t get into this class. I plan on taking some more classes
to help [my] application when I apply again for next time.” Niki refuses to give
up on her goals and focuses on learning as much as she can and enjoying life in
the meantime.
Niki has a lot to love about her life right now. She has a wonderful grown son,
and she has a job she enjoys. AND now Niki is in a position where she can just
work one job - “I stopped working so much and started enjoying life a little
more. Once I did that, I [became] less stressed… happier. It feels good to enjoy
life.” In her spare time, she loves to hike, see lighthouses, spend time with
family and care for her bevy of animals. Niki has rescued both dogs and cats
and raises chickens and ducks. Currently, she shares her home with her
supportive boyfriend, her cats and fowl, and a two year old lab named Quinn -
a dog she rescued from the Bangor Humane Society. She also looks forward to
visits from her boyfriend’s six year old son. Her life is full and stable now. Her
motto is “I just try to live my best life and always be kind…”
