Should I Become A Nurse Aide/CNA? What Does A CNA Do?

In my whole life, I never thought of being a nurse's aide. And I was one all along, without knowing it. Compassion for the sick and infirm comes naturally to me, and thanks to my mother, I received early training in bed making, dish washing, laundry, trash removal and food preparation. She also instilled in me a healthy respect for hand washing. Babysitting gave me experience in bathing, dressing, changing, toileting and feeding other people.

However, it was not until recently that I really considered a medical profession. I had worked in business administration and liked it, and there was no reason to switch careers. Yet, that is exactly what I did, never really knowing why. Until now. I am a caregiver, always have been and always will be. I like people and care about them. When people are in pain, I instinctively want to help them.

Not everyone has the same reasons for giving care. Sandi, a fellow student in my CNA course, told me, "I want to take care of the elderly so I can stop being so self-centered." (She also told me she was a Playboy Bunny in 1962. We looked her up and it's true. It should be noted that Playboy back in the day was not the same as now.) Sandi doesn't think of herself as elderly and she's right about giving care; it helps you be less self centered.

If you're still not sure medical work is for you, CNA training is a good way to find out. For many, it's a stepping stone to nursing or medical school.

How to Get Trained
Tech colleges are way expensive and take a long time. Instead, search for a class under $500. High school courses are the least expensive. You can also get hired by a nursing home, assisted living facility or home-care agency before becoming certified. Often, your employer will pay for your class and certification.

Of course, there are downsides. Here is a Top-Ten list of how nurse aide work has encroached on my life.
1. I have a glove-wearing habit. I think I have to wear gloves to wash MY dishes and empty MY trash.
2. I knock before entering my own room--- and there's nobody in there!
3. My work rubs off on my personal life in weird ways, such as, changing the way I bathe myself. Soon I'll be mitering my sheets.
4. I monitor myself for pressure sores.
5. I can recognize certain odors anywhere. If you are smoking weed, I will know.
6. Bare skin is nothing at all. It is not attractive. I will just report any abnormalities. That is not an invitation to streak.
7. "Bed, Bath & Beyond" just refers to hygiene.
8. I think I should be paid to make my own (occupied) bed.

Okay, so that's only Top Eight! Still true.

In all seriousness, CNA work is some of the hardest I have ever done. You have to be physically strong and it is emotional work. A friend of mine quit after a patient died in her arms. It was too much.

Our job is to help people, even if they are grumpy, difficult, evil in their past lives or making sexual advances toward us. If they hit, we don't hit back. If they hate us, we still like them.
The difficulties of the job help explain why there is a shortage or workers in this field. (This makes it really easy to get hired!) So many people can't take it and quit. When I look at the ones who stay, I notice that there is something special about them.

Just yesterday I met a woman who had been a CNA for years and loved her work. When her physical condition prevented her from continuing, she changed her vocation and started giving manicures... to the elderly and disabled. Another woman told me her nurse aide job was more of a hobby. It's not about the money. If it were, everyone would quit because no pay would be enough. They love the people. They feel the satisfaction of helping others and can't quit. They're satisfaction junkies.

Giving great care makes you feel like a superhero. When you know you've done a great job and made someone's life better, you are on top of the world. That feeling makes the work worthwhile.

If you like people, have a desire to help others, or want to do something that really matters, try being a nurse assistant. You'll get used to the hard stuff, but the joy of serving never gets old.