Health care can be a daunting field, and nothing helps newcomers navigate the complexities like a mentor who’s run the same course. Someone who offers advice and direction to those who are young or new in a position is often known as a “work mom.”
For the staff at Avera Maryhouse in Pierre, that person is Kayla Rounds, onboarding CNA supervisor.
Rounds looks after resident assistants and incoming certified nursing assistants (CNAs), which is an important role as CNAs are considered a critical need area in Pierre and across the system.
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The Path to Leadership
Naturally, before she supported beginners in the field, Rounds was a first-timer herself. She was hired for a CNA position at Avera in 2014 when she was a junior in high school and started out working eight-hour shifts as a nursing assistant over her Christmas break.
The physical demands of the job came as a surprise, and Rounds initially questioned her decision. But a trusted voice encouraged her to persevere.
“My mom encouraged me to give it more time,” Rounds said.
So she did. A change in schedule and more experience on the job were all it took to make the position more manageable. Rounds’ confidence and capabilities grew, and she went on to earn her CNA certification.
“I fell in love with the work and ended up sticking with it into college,” Rounds said.
She worked at Avera Maryhouse on and off through college and grad school, and pursued the counseling profession until she was led back to Avera in the fall of 2023.
“I found an opening as an activity assistant at Maryhouse,” said Rounds.
She loved the position and wanted to see where it might lead.
“When the onboarding supervisor position opened up at Maryhouse, I was ecstatic because I knew we needed something like this, and I knew that it was going to be a good fit,” said Rounds.
What Mentorship Looks Like
As an onboarding supervisor, Rounds oversees resident assistants – a population of mainly teenagers who have the chance to explore if health care is right for them.
Because many people in the position haven’t had other jobs or experience in health care, Rounds provides extra support. She touches base with employees every weekday and checks in regularly outside of meetings.
“I’m constantly asking them how things are going or if they need anything – if they have any questions, or what I can do to help,” Rounds said.
She also works with people in Avera’s CNA course, offering review sessions to help them pass the CNA exam to become certified. This training is an affordable way to become certified while on the job – employees get paid to take the course that would normally cost them.
A Great Need and Great Calling
As Rounds experienced first-hand, being a CNA is a lofty calling with a significant demand to match, making the role much larger than some imagine.
One misconception she hears often is that CNAs only handle personal care for residents.
“That really minimizes what we do,” Rounds said. “We provide a lot of social and emotional support.”
Kayla Rounds' Five Reasons to Be a CNA
- Flexible hours – many facilities need CNAs staffed 24/7, so you have flexibility in the time of day and days of the week you work.
- Fulfilling work – your work has a meaningful impact on people's lives. As a CNA, you'll never have to wonder if what you do matters.
- Introduction to health care – becoming a CNA is a great way to explore your interest in health care careers and create your own career pathways.
- Personal and professional growth – you develop skills in communication, teamwork and problem-solving. CNAs can participate in education and training to advance their careers.
- Lasting memories – CNAs work with people from many different walks of life. From your patients to the staff you work alongside, people will touch your life in ways you do not expect.
Rounds is thankful that Avera recognizes the full scope of a CNA’s role – from the meaningful relationships and joys to the physical and emotional challenges – and demonstrates that understanding by offering competitive pay, mentorship and career development opportunities.
“I feel really fortunate to work for Avera. I have always appreciated Avera and the way that Avera treats employees, patients and visitors,” ‘Rounds said.
She is excited to be the welcome party for new staff members, showing them how great the field can be and giving them a clear roadmap for the work. “I’d rather people have somebody they can reach out to with a quick question than feel overwhelmed or unsure.”
She hopes that providing a smooth, positive entry to the field will help foster a long career in nursing at Avera.
