Being a Certified Nursing Assistant is an experience you will treasure forever. You meet so many wonderful people and you feel honored to be able to care for the elderly. It will bring a new perspective into your life that you will never forget. Caring for others is an amazingly humbling and gratifying experience. Here's why it will change your life:

1. You develop a great sense of empathy.

Caring for many sick or disabled elders teaches you the true daily struggles that they go through. It makes you develop much more respect for them.

2. You get to hear so many amazing stories.

Many of the people you will take care lived in a much different time than we do today. They have so many great stories and if you just ask, they can teach you just about anything from their perspective on history.

3. You learn how to properly take care of people.

Whether it be gaining the skills to care for your future babies or just knowing what to do when someone is sick, being a CNA teaches you so much. It is a great way to get your feet wet in the field of medicine.

4. You learn great responsibility.

Knowing that some of the people you care for are very weak, you realize that you are responsible for their well-being and safety while under your care. You learn to check, double-check, and triple-check to make sure all alarms are on, all rails are up, and all other safety precautions are being followed because you know what could happen if they weren't.

5. You learn time management.

When you are a CNA, you are taking care of a various number of elderly or other patients while on your shift. They must be fed, taken to the bathroom, changed clothes, etc. Sometimes it feels that everyone needs something at the same time, but by learning how to manage your time and adjusting to each resident's individual preferences and schedule, you will get everything done.

6. It makes you mature much faster than some of your peers.

Being responsible for many dependent people at a time is a tough job sometimes. You must learn to make quick and correct decisions. You must also be able to handle taking care of people who are not always in a great mood. Being sick takes a huge toll on a person and they are not always themselves. You learn to not take anything personally and just care for them even more.

7. It's like getting 60+ more grandparents.

When you take care of someone for eight hours a day, almost everyday, you develop a very close bond. You learn each person's routine. You learn who likes extra blankets at night, or who really likes ice cream (which comes in handy when they don't want to eat that night). Likewise, these people depend on you and that results in-most of- them loving you as if you were one of their own.

Being a CNA is a beautiful experience. Even through the tough times and difficulties that can come along with the job, you know you wouldn't trade it for any job in the world. It solidified my desire to become a doctor because I know caring for others is truly my calling.