1. They are just as uncomfortable as you
GiphyWhen I started working this job, I felt uncomfortable cleaning my patients and helping them go to the bathroom. I wasn't uncomfortable with the fact that I have never done it before or that I didn't know them, it was because I knew that they were uncomfortable as well. Who wants a stranger cleaning them up? Who wants to be exposed to a stranger? But I insured them that I was there to help. I talked to them about their life and how they were feeling while I was helping them and that can go a long way for the patients.
2. Not all patients are easy to get along with
GiphyAs long as you are nice to your patients, they will be nice to you. Some nurses and nursing assistants aren't the nicest to their patients. If they aren't nice to their patients then I believe that they don't belong in the medical field. You always need to be nice to your patients whether they are being rude or nice, sometimes it may be difficult but you have to do it, it's your job. Talk to them, ask them how they are doing, ask if they are is anything else you can do for them, give them something to do, and laugh with them.
3. Some days are hectic, some are really slow
GiphyOn days where the job is absolutely hectic, you look like your running around with your head cut off. You are constantly running around, helping other nurses and patients along with your own patients. You never have time to sit down, sometimes you don't even get to go on your lunch break because you are that busy. Some days are really slow, especially on the weekends. When the day is slow and I don't have much to do then I always make sure that I spend time with each of my patients. I go in and sit with them for a while and talk to them about whatever they would like. Patients are alone in their room all day and they like someone to talk to and if its a nurse then they know that you actually care about taking care of them and not just the money that you are earning.
4. You see things you never thought you'd see
GiphyI see a lot of odd things at my job but that's what makes it fun. Patients trying to escape from the hospital, people coming out with urine in a container, people trying to smoke in the bathroom without us knowing. It is all frustrating but you just need to be nice to the patient and to talk to them to show you care about their health. One day, I got ice-cream thrown at me by a dementia patient. I wasn't mad, I just smiled at my patient and told them that it was going to be ok and that I was there to help.
5. Talk to them, do fun things with them
GiphyOne night I had a patient that was very agitated and didn't want to be at the hospital anymore. So I tried to make his stay as welcome as possible. I sat with him all night and talked about what he liked to do and about his family. I got him a book to read and I talked to him about my life as well. I told him about what I wanted to do with my future and he told me that I was really smart and that I was the best nursing assistant that he ever had. I played trash-can basketball with him, we watched tv together and we played tic-tac-toe. By doing all of these things, it made my patient feel comfortable and not alone. When my shift ended, I told him goodbye and that I hope he feels better. He gave me a hug and said, "You are the best nursing assistant that I've ever had and you will make a great doctor some day." Doing these little things for your patients can go a long way.
6. Some people aren't cut out for this job
GiphyWhen people don't know what they want to do with their lives, they automatically think, "Oh, I'll just be a nurse". It is not as easy as you might think. It is the complete opposite. You are constantly running around helping all of your patients. You never have time to sit down and sometimes you don't have time to eat. You are working 12 hours and by the end of your shift, you are absolutely exhausted. Some things that we deal with, most people would not be able to do. I am going to spare you the details because they are gross, but when I first started this job, I was surprised at how well I could deal with all of the things that I had to do and clean up. Most people would gag or get sick by it and that's when you know the job isn't for you.
I am 20 years old and I am working this job while in college. It is very difficult to get my school work done when I am also working at a hospital, giving my patients my full attention. I am exhausted after my shift and don't feel like doing my homework but I always get it done. I love this job and I can't wait to see where this and my schooling gets me. I will be graduating and then going off to medical school to become a doctor. Being a doctor has been my life goal ever since I was a young girl and I hope to achieve it.
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