CNA the good the bad and the ugly!!!

VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN · Mar 12, 2007

Moving to CNA Forum for better exposure.

chadash · Mar 13, 2007

:Melody: So tell me what makes it worth while for you to be able to show that you care and give back to your community? :heartbeatWhat makes this job harder than other jobs? What makes this profession one that many people dont understand?:caduceus:
Give comments, advice, tips, ect...
"Enjoy life to the fullest!""

Being a CNA is not too glamorous. It is not a status job, if fact, quite the opposite. Why would someone choose this job if they had other options?

I think being a CNA has more to do with who you are than what you do.

If you are looking for a place to connect with people on a deeper level, at the point of their need, not yours, this would be one job where you can make that connection. The sick and the elderly need care and need to know you care.

I know this sounds fuzzy and banal, but it is very simple, really. This is a very "human" job.

What makes it hard is the patient loads that make it impossible to provide care adequately. When the patients don't get what they need, it can be very frustrating and discouraging.

This is a "labor" job. You will work hard physically, as well as be stretched emotionally.

As far as people not understanding, I am not certain anyone understands anyone else's job, so not too different there.

valifay · Mar 13, 2007

Simply put...

The good= the people you take care of

The bad= sadly, management...most of the time

The ugly= poop, vomit and when you loos someone

But all in all it is very rewarding and a great line of work for the right person. Its definetly NOT a job for everyone, and the pay doesn't justify hard work and dedication CNA's display!

jb2u, ASN, RN · Mar 14, 2007

:Melody: So tell me what makes it worth while for you to be able to show that you care and give back to your community?

I love being a part of something greater than myself. To know that I impact people's lives with the care that I give. I love to see the smile that I placed on that patient's face!

:heartbeatWhat makes this job harder than other jobs?

Low wage, little respect for the important job that we do!

What makes this profession one that many people dont understand?:caduceus:

I agree with the above poster that most jobs are not well understood by those that do not work in them. I do not like that people just focus on the fact that we wipe bottoms. "oh, how can you do THAT!" I think it is also not understood because it is a "low status" position.

JMHO,

jay

indierock · Mar 20, 2007

:Melody: So tell me what makes it worth while for you to be able to show that you care and give back to your community? :heartbeatWhat makes this job harder than other jobs? What makes this profession one that many people dont understand?:caduceus:
Give comments, advice, tips, ect...
"Enjoy life to the fullest!""

This job is one that you can't really think of yourself much. Take even taking a pee break. you have to pee and so do 5 of your residents. Sometimes though everything calms down and no one is flipping out and you get to see these people...actually see them. They truly are amazing. They have lived lives that we can only guess about and at the end their bodies being fading. They can't take care of everything like they used to. Yet they still find a way to laugh and experience joy. I love the fact that i get to help them do that.

This job is physically and mentally challenging. You see these people day in and day out and you have to realize that one day these people are gonna let go. You watch people going down hill. You do your best but you can't stop it. I agree with above that also pay and management don't help. On a good day everything gets done perfectly, everyone is tolieted when they need to be and everyone is cleaned to the hilt. Good days don't happen as much as i would like. We try but its difficult with staffing.

This job is one of those "you wouldn't know unless you have been there" type of deals. People don't understand, i think, that we deal with human beings. We can't always get them to stand up or eat if they don't want to. This also makes the job hard. If we were in a cubical playing sims with these people, it would be a lot easier.

allantiques4me · Mar 20, 2007

I used to be a nursing assistant,now I am a nurse.I really felt it was a higher calling for me to be in the medical field.I have always loved it and I know in my heart Ive made the right choice.

MI LPN Student08 · Mar 20, 2007

I have been a CNA for almost 9 years, I am also finishing up classes to become a LPN. Yes there are good days and bad days with being a CNA, but in todays job force there is good and bad with all jobs. I have worked both Hospital and LTC. I prefer LTC, yes the people are all older and I know that they are in the last time in their lives, but some of them have lived through and have pasts that I can only believe through them and what I have seen on TV in regards to the depression, wars, and how much different their lives were compared to our daily lives today.

I worked in hospital setting as well, but they come and go so quick you don't have time to get to know your patients.

I thank god for my CNA job, because of that I am also able to take care of a family member in my home with Alzheimers/Dementia. If it wasn't for my experience over the past few years in the nursing home I don't think I would be able to deal with this mean disease in my home and in my own family. My job has taught me alot and I am really excited about becoming a nurse so I can expand my knowledge and be able to help people in their time of sickness to either get better or live out their time left in the best way possible.