83-year-old nursing assistant brings decades of compassion

RUTLAND, Vt. (InvestigateTV) - Inside the Rutland Regional Medical Center there’s a staff of caregivers, including Barb Amsden, who has walked the halls for nearly half a century.“Work is my thing,” Amsden said.The year was 1978, Jimmy Carter was president, and the Super Senior’s starting pay was also historic. “$3.15 an hour,” she said.What keeps the 83-year-old licensed nursing assistant going is the people.“She’s my work mom,” said Brenda Dunlap, who has worked with Amsden in the emergency department for 20 years. “She is my best friend.” Part of Amsden’s job is to restock the medical supplies. An emergency room is stressful as the doctors, nurses, and staff attempt to stabilize the patient physically. Amsden helps to calm the patients and family members in a grandmotherly way.“Barb has a way of talking to people that makes them feel at ease,” said Dunlap, who has also benefited from Amsden’s TLC. They both lost their husbands within four months of each other. Amsden’s husband, Bob,