New CNA - any advice? - page 3

First, you are correct. As a pre-nursing student, working as a cna is very beneficial. Second, keep in mind that on this board a lot of people come to vent. So, you will hear a lot of negative stuff.

That being said, there are a lot of rewarding aspects of being a cna. You get to provide the intimate care that a lot of Nurses wished that they could provide. You get to play a BIG part in the healing of patients. In LTC, you get to develop relationships with people that have a wealth of knowledge to pass down. You will get to listen to their lives stories unfold like a best-selling novel as they share with you that which is most important to them, their life. You will laugh with some and cry with others, but the most important thing you will do is just be there for them. LTC work was grueling to me, but when I look back on it, I see the many lives that I have touched and have touched me. I still remember the day that I went into a resident's room and I knew that something was not right with him. I went to get the nurse. It turned out that his blood glucose had bottomed out! What would have been the results if I would not have picked up on his confusion and just thought he was sleepy? Yes, cna work does matter and it is rewarding. Yes, you will have days that make you want to quit, but if you concentrate on your ultimate goal, then you will be able to persevere. In the end, I don't need a pt's family member to remember me by "Jay", I just want them to remember "that one wonderful cna that took such good care of mom/dad." I want to be remembered not by name, but by the acts of my life.

Good luck with your career and stay positive! You can also check out this thread that I posted. We are the "kickers" of healthcare

Sincerely,
Jay

Thanks Jay! You post was EXACTLY what I needed to hear. You put it in such wonderful, beautiful terms, and I really do appreciate it. You sound like an absolute wonderful person - our profession is lucky to have someone like you.