Best CNA experiences

[abbaking]

After having read yet another RN/LPN vs CNA story, I got to thinking what are the good experiences we have had with our assistive personnel.

I think the positive experiences outweigh the bad and truth be told, I have had more positive experiences with the CNA staff than bad.

1. There is a night shift CNA I work with who goes above and beyond to help the patients, the nurses and the families with almost everything. The little things he does make a big difference, suck as making sure toiletries are provided upon admission, the bed linens are folded down and the patient handbook is ready. He communicates with me with abnormal vitals and behavior changes. He knows he is not Superman; asks me for help when he needs it.

2. A female CNA on dayshift is very optimistic and joyful regardless of what life has to hand her and what she faces at work each day. I pray to God, I will one day have her zest for life and optimism.

3. Another night shift CNA looks like a gangster - I admit I was kinda scared of him for a while. But its all a front. He is a mouse and very dedicated to caring for his patients and working as a team. He does however curse like a sailor at the nurses station, but I do the same thing, So I don't care about that.

What contributions do you see in your CNA staff?

[hope3456, ASN, RN]

You work in a hospital so you are going to get "the cream of the crop."

I worked in a LTC with a woman CNA who constantly told me how she was too good to be working there and she was just waiting to get hired with the hospital. She was lazy, always on her cell phone, ect. Finally she did get hired there and she got promoted to a scheduler/coordinater position. Someone told me that everyone loves her and she is so good at her job. I can respect the fact that she was overqualified for LTC and hated her job there but OM G she was a bear to work with there.

Now I work in a state facility for DD and again, we get the "better" CNA's. I really have no complaints.

[Hygiene Queen]

I worked in a LTC that had the best CNA's and teamwork I've ever seen.

When we run into each other-- no many how many years have passed-- we are happy to see each other and bemoan the fact we have never seen such caring workers or teamwork since.

It was a very special group of people that we had at that time and in that place.

The stars were aligned.

[Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN]

Honestly, my negative experiences with CNAs outnumber the positive. I can honestly say this even though I myself was a CNA for three years.

There was one CNA I worked with, though, who really made an impression on me. She just did her job, without needing to be asked, she would anticipate needs and respond to them, without being directed. She was invested in HER relationship with the patient, not what I was or wasn't doing as the nurse. There was no resentment when she brought the menu or the warm blanket or helped a patient to shower. It was just what she did, and she did it with grace and empathy. So many of the CNAs I worked with appeared more concerned about what the nurse was or wasn't doing than their own relationship to their patients, but this one was different. She was truly inspirational and I still think about her and follow her example in my work as an RN.

To be honest, she was a better nurse than me.

Thank you, Kris!

[Marsha238612]

I'm doing my CNA classes now because I will be starting nursing school this January and wanted to have some patient interaction as I've never worked in healthcare before. And so far I've seen good CNAs outnumber the bad ones.

They are so patient and caring been when the patients are not the friendliest. I think being a CNA takes a lot of courage and heart.

It's a hard back-breaking job.

God bless all CNAs who do their job thinking about the patient first ❤️

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