We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kesha Spates a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Kesha, thanks for joining us today. How’s you first get into your field – what was your first job in this field?
My first CPR job was actually at a hospital where I worked with family’s to teach basic CPR skills. I was surprised by how many families/parents did not know much about performing CPR. I found that it was rewarding to me to teach the families the skill, and I have enjoyed educating families and other healthcare workers ever since my first job!
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I am a Respiratory Therapist of 19 years, and I teach CPR in my downtime. Helping others has always brought joy to my heart, so it is no mistake that I am a healthcare worker. The thing what sets me apart as a healthcare worker is my authenticity and my commitment to perform thorough care for anyone that I encounter.
The thing that sets my CPR business apart from others is that I aim to make the sessions relatable and understandable to your background. I have found in my experience that making things relatable has always helped important information stick. One of my most proud moments are when I have a client new to the healthcare role that shares with me how they have enjoyed my training style , and that they have learned so much because I’ve helped them feel comfortable enough to ask those questions that they may not have asked in an intimidating environment.
I provide CPR training for teens, families, and healthcare workers. I taught both my kids CPR during their Middle School years where I hosted a Teen Summer Training with a few of their friends. I really enjoy teaching teens and new healthcare workers because I appreciate their inquisitive minds and questions.
I have recently become a Life Insurance Representative as well, and my goal is to become a One Stop Health Coordinator where I can provide CPR training, Life Insurance, and a few other health care needs to families. Cherished Hands CPR has been the beginning of my Healthcare Brand, and I am looking forward to helping more families!
How do you keep your team’s morale high?
The advice I’d offer for managing a team and maintaining a high morale is to be a transparent and authentic leader and communicate well. I have learned that staff appreciates a leader that keeps them informed, and also a leader that is authentic in their leadership style because it helps create an environment of trust which in return maintains high morale not only amongst the team, but also amongst the leader and the team.
Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?
Other than training/knowledge, I would say that you have to have compassion and a caring heart to succeed in my field. I believe that anyone can learn a skill through training and education; however, when it comes to having a caring heart, I feel that this comes naturally, and is for sure a need for any healthcare personnel. Success in your field is not solely measured by education and knowledge. I believe success can be measured by how you leave your patients/clients feeling and the positive impact you have made in their lives.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cherished-hands-cpr.square.site
- Instagram: @CherishedHandsCPR
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/cherishedhandscpr
- Other: www.linktr.ee/CherishedHandsCPR