Jitter

I don't like my job,I LOVE MY JOB! I work at a Hospice House,I drive 40 minutes to work and 40 minutes back home for very very little pay.Yet every day that I work with hospice I am grateful for the opportunity to be a valuable part of other people's lives. Please don't let other people's negativity drive you away.

I am 41 and got my CNA certification in December,after doing my clinicals at skilled facilities,I knew there was no way my back would withstand all the lifting that skilled facilities require.I could have easily have done it in my 20's,maybe even 30's but at 41,nope no way!I currently work in an assisted facility,(which I love by the way),but the pay is pretty crappy.I start nursing school next year though,and that is my goal.I'm not sure how much MA's make,surely more than CNA'S I would think.Good Luck!

The hardest part for me is wiping residents,particularly male residents.During my clinicals I was helping toilet an elderly man with dementia,I had to wipe him while he yelled at me to stop.I continued to wipe until he was clean,took him to his room and then ran to the bathroom to cry...I hate that part of being a CNA.I do not like doing things to them that upset them even if it is for their own good.

Thanks systoly,I was thinking about that today,maybe if she saw all the other residents soaking their nails she wouldn't feel like she was being singled out,or maybe she feels like she's being picked on.Thank you for your advice,and for taking the time to post back:)

Thank you,I'll keep trying,patience,patience,patience!

That sounds about right for a new CNA,I guess it really depends on the state that you live in,I started at $10.00 an hour at an assisted living facility right after I got my certification.I know a lot of the younger girls are trying to get on at the hospitals because they pay more.Take the job at $8.00 an hour and after 6 months start applying at the hospitals.It will be good experience for you anyway,GOOD LUCK!

I work daily with dementia patients,and let me just say I love my job,and my residents,they make my day and I really want them to be happy and as healthy as possible.One of my residents(a female),is just the sweetest woman ever,the problem is that she has long fingernails,and lately she has been "digging herself out",sorry I know it's gross but,I have tried to get her to let me clip her nails,she won't have it,so I offered to scrub her nails to make them "pretty",she said no,and she gave me THAT look,you know the look you get right before they knock you off the chair...so one night after putting on her pj's and helping her brush her teeth,I said let's wash your hands,she said,why they are not dirty and backed away from me:(I'm worried that she will get sick from the feces under nails,surely someone has had this problem and can give me some help.She has been treated for her constipation,and she's back on track in that area but the nail problem is driving me nuts!Please and thank you for some advice!