CNAs, do you like your job?

[Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN]

I really am curious.

I became a CNA in order to get into nursing school.

But, while I was a CNA, I took my duty to the patient very seriously.

Honestly, I feel like as a CNA, the very personal duties you are entrusted to are sacred, in a way.

Being a was a CNA gave me the foundation for my practice as an RN.

Think about it; if you had someone changing your brief every 2 hours, do you think you could tell if that person resented every moment, or if they regarded the task as a very intimate part of your care that needs to be treated with appropriate reverence, or if they resented what they "had to do"?

If you are a career CNA, THANK YOU!!!!! You do such an intimate and integral part of the patient care that should be treated with appropriate reverence.

If you are using CNA as a stepping stone to get into nursing school, there is nothing wrong with that, but please be cognizant that this is the foundation for all of your future interactions with your patients and clients. Think about what it would be like to be the person in that bed, having a complete stranger cleaning the fecal matter out of your lady parts, and how you would want them to behave. Be humble, respectful, gentle, and communicate even with the nonverbal. Say things like "I'm sorry, this washcloth is rough, but it's all we have. I'll be as gentle as I can.", and then BE GENTLE, whether the person is able to respond or not.

To every career CNA out there, thank you so much for your devotion to the dignity of each human being that you are entrusted to care for, and to each aspiring nurse working as a CNA, please do not let all of these lessons be wasted. Do not let yourself into the trap of thinking "Oh, once I'm an RN, I won't ever have to _________.). Be humble. Be compassionate. Give of yourself. Put your own mom or grandma in that bed.

And, as for the question of the original OP, I will be honest and say that while I found my work as a CNA to be extremely meaningful and to serve as a foundation for the future, there were times where I got tired of the drudgery. You know, that patient that needed their water pitcher moved 1/4" to the right (oh no, it was fine it was where it was), or the head of the bed up...no down...no up...no down....LOL. That stuff never goes away.

[Hygiene Queen]

I have never been as satisfied to be a nurse as I was when I was a CNA.

Being a CNA was sacred to me, as well.

My favorite residents/patients were not the ones who could tell my boss how great they thought I was.

My favorites were my bedridden, confused, nonverbal souls, who were 100% vulnerable. They depended a CNA who was trustworthy and caring enough to ensure they got the best care possible. It was so easy for these folks to be ignored or taken advantage of, so I felt especially strong in regards to their well-being.

They were talked to, carefully washed, lotioned and repositioned. Not a wrinkle in the bedsheets and they got all the extra pillows-- and time I had to give.

They even got a goodnight kiss on the forehead.

I never felt inferior as an aide.

I was very proud of it!

I had trained a few aides who went on in their education to become nurses and become my boss... I could care less!

I loved what I did and was content to stay and let others be the nurse (with all the burden and mental stress I did not want).

On very rough days and in dealing with very rough residents, I would deal with my frustration with a laugh and say, "Ah! I must be atoning for some sins today!"

I am sometimes woefully sorry I became a nurse... I just don't feel the same way about it.

I truly loved being a aide and often feel I sold my soul for a few extra $$$.

[Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN]

As a CNA, I had lots of breakthrough moments, where I knew the resident and I were communicating, because I was able to take that time and I was open to it. I could tell just by the expression of their eyes and their nonverbal communication; how they held their body, how they were breathing.....I watched many a CNA just toss them around like a piece of meat, and many an RN come into the room to cram pills down their throat. Believe me, the patient KNOWS. I don't care if they are a vegetable from anoxic brain injury. They know. They know when you are in the room and you are connecting with them, and when you are in the room just doing your job. They know. My sincerest thanks to all CNAs who get that. You guys are the bedrock of healthcare and you deserve recognition for what you do!

[Hygiene Queen]

I knew the resident and I were communicating, because I was able to take that time and I was open to it. I could tell just by the expression of their eyes and their nonverbal communication; how they held their body, how they were breathing.....

Yes, I know exactly what you mean. You can feel it when you make that connection. You cannot teach someone how to do this... and I'm not so sure everyone can do this. I truly believe this ability to connect is a gift.

I watched many a CNA just toss them around like a piece of meat, and many an RN come into the room to cram pills down their throat. Believe me, the patient KNOWS. I don't care if they are a vegetable from anoxic brain injury. They know.

Ooooooh!

Or when you see them run patients through a shower as though they were running a damn car wash!

So often aides get all upset because their patients are difficult or combative... well, how are you interacting with them?

I'd try to choke you too if you tried to run me through a cold shower.

They know.

Absolutely.

I know it's been more than proven to me!

Stargazer... now you got me all fired up!

[Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN]

Yup. My guy who liked to hit?

The CNA who trained me would just walk into the room and tell him "We need to change your diaper."

This was a WWII vet with navy tats, bilat. BKAs. He did try to hit.

When I was cut loose on my own, I stepped into the doorway and introduced myself and told him that I needed to check his blankets to see if they were wet (ex sailor sub or whatever). He never took a swing at me, not one swing any single time. He let me turn him side to side to change his briefs and never once threatened me. The only time he did anything was my night last at work there when he groped me. It's totally inappropriate to grope in this day and age, but when he was a young man in the Navy, it was normal for him.

Yup, I could've made a fuss, and had the patient been from my generation I would have, but honestly I could not see the sense in it my last night at work.

[Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN]

Stargazer... now you got me all fired up!

Haha, can you tell I was fired up when I started this thread? Something I read here on AN really triggered me. Reading the thread now, it looks like I am waaaaayyyy up there on a high horse, but I really did start the thread to stimulate some conversation, hopefully in a positive vein. Thanks for participating!

[Glycerine82, LPN]

I would be a CNA for the rest of my life If I could be. I've worked with a lot of CNA's who think they are just paying their dues on the way to nursing school. I too, am a pre-nursing student, but first and foremost I am a caregiver. It is what I was born to do.

Often times my patients thank me for having patience, and for going slow. For taking the time to get to know them and memorize their routine. They request me, as do the nurses and that makes me feel really good. I love what I do, every second of it. I love holding someones hand and talking them through the bad dream they just had. I love taking a horribly embarrassing moment and making them feel better about it with a joke, or a kind word. I have so many wonderful memories of patients whose faces I will never, ever forget. I have cried with families and I have cried for them. I've provided postmortem care for some of my favorite patients and I felt so honored and blessed to be able to provide them and their families this one last service.

For whatever reason, there are CNA's who don't like their jobs and I'll never understand it. I don't know if I could work 12.5 hours on my feet while killing my body for a job I didn't love. I've worked with some world-class CNA's and I've worked with some CNA's who don't have any bushiness caring for anything with a pulse. I've reported CNA's for abuse, and don't hesitate to continue to do it if i see something that even close to crosses a line.

I pray I will never, ever forget that I am caring for people who need me. Not a room number, not a name but a person who is likely at their worst. I try to remember there are reasons for their behavior and do the best I can to smooth things over when dealing with a difficult patient.

I've also had patients (one, really) that drove me so nuts with the menial little tasks "NOooooo Don't fold it like that!!" while proceeding to throw a tantrum and kick her feet. (Alert and oriented x3) "Give me my perfume!" "I know you stole my sweater!" That I've had to actually walk out in the middle of care. But, we all have days like that.

So yes, I love my job. I wish they pay were better so that I could make ends meet. I do think its incredibly wrong to pay so little, and in my opinion, a good CNA does require a certain set of skills that not everyone has. To me that is worth something. Unfortunately there are many of us who lack those skills and still find jobs.

[Glycerine82, LPN]

Yup. My guy who liked to hit?

The CNA who trained me would just walk into the room and tell him "We need to change your diaper."

This was a WWII vet with navy tats, bilat. BKAs. He did try to hit.

When I was cut loose on my own, I stepped into the doorway and introduced myself and told him that I needed to check his blankets to see if they were wet (ex sailor sub or whatever). He never took a swing at me, not one swing any single time. He let me turn him side to side to change his briefs and never once threatened me. The only time he did anything was my night last at work there when he groped me. It's totally inappropriate to grope in this day and age, but when he was a young man in the Navy, it was normal for him.

Yup, I could've made a fuss, and had the patient been from my generation I would have, but honestly I could not see the sense in it my last night at work.

THIS!! I can't tell you how many times I have had a "combative" patient that just needed to be handled with care!! Often times i'd get through the whole shift without being swung at!

[ericaej]

I am starting my third semester of nursing school and worked as a CNA for the first time this summer. I have enjoyed it very much. It has helped me learn to organize, prioritize, and overall time management. In clinical, the most patients I have been responsible for was two. At work (with nurses on the floor as well), I have been responsible for the adls of 11 patients at a time. I am glad to have the opportunity and I always try to remember that there is a person behind the task at hand. I don't refer to disposable undergarments as diapers. I think it is rude so I always just call it underwear. I don't talk down. Even with patients that can be difficult, I try to let them know I care and am gentle. If it were your loved one, you'd want them to be cared for in the same way. Now with all that being said, I am glad I am becoming a nurse but I won't forget my time as a CNA. I am going to continue working part time as a CNA while I finish school.

[Jcgirl]

I do enjoy being a CNA. I like the work, enjoy the residents, and am glad to get my feet wet. I have a great night team, we work together well and get things done. I know I can count on my co-workers to help out with anything I need and am happy to do the same for them. I don't want to be a CNA forever, but for now it works. LTC isn't for me, I eventually want to me onto a hospital setting.

[JDZ344]

I do love my job!

[kalengen]

i love my job as a CNA! Knowing that i am changing my residents life by helping them perform their adl's makes my day. When a resident thanks you or tells you that they love you is the most rewarding thing in this world. My residents bring joy into my day. I love walking into work and having them calling my name and coming to give me a hug or grab my hand and tell me that they are so happy i am working today. They seem like my family members now and i love them so much. When im not at work im constantly thinking about them and hoping nothing has happened. Even though i am in school to become an RN, i still love the one on one interaction with the patients. If youre in the CNA field just to get a paycheck and dont actually have the heart to care for them, its just so sad, ive seen it too many times. Honestly cant wait to get to work later just to see my residents!