KAREN:  We just have a few more minutes on this tape.

RITA:  Okay. 

KAREN:  Unless I change to another tape, but I know it's getting late, so I don't know if there's other things that you wanted to talk about that's important to you about the job that I haven't asked about. 

RITA:  I think you covered everything.  I think you covered most everything. 

KAREN:  Do you have any advice for somebody who would want to become a health aide.

RITA:  I would encourage anyone to become a health aide if they want to.  Norton Sound is very supportive.  They have the best training center in Alaska. 

And I had a cousin who, when she became a health aide, she was kind of scared to become a health aide because she wasn't sure how she would learn.  I encouraged her just take it, you know, do good, all you have to do is care about people.  You know, if you love people, really care about them and listen, you'll do good. 

And she became a health aide.  Now she's really happy about it.  I think that's the more important thing is if you love taking care of people and are a good listener, everything works all right. 

KAREN:  And were there times when you've wanted to quit the job? 

RITA:  Yeah. 

KAREN:  How do you get through those tough times? 

RITA:  Yeah, when I was working alone and there was emergencies, you know, sometimes the weather was bad and the planes can't come right away, always taking call, I think the reason I really wanted to quit was because you're on call all the time.  You couldn't leave the village to go, like, on a snow machine trip or on a camping trip because you're just basically stuck there.  And I don't know whether the health aides long ago did that.  I have so much respect for them. 

KAREN:  So what kept you from quitting? 

RITA:  Wondering who else would do the job that I'm not doing it.  I was worried that there wouldn't be anybody else who could help people. 

KAREN:  So are you glad that you remained a health aide? 

RITA:  Yeah.  I think it was the best part of my whole life is being a health aide and helping people.  All the training, all the people I got to meet, you know, it just -- it's incredible. 

KAREN:  Okay.  If there's anything else, we're out of tape.

RITA:  Okay.  That's fine. 

KAREN:  Thanks a lot. 

RITA:  Uh-hum (affirmative).