Growing up, I never thought I could work in a group home. I didn't think I had the patience or the capacity to deal with the behaviors. One day, though, I decided to apply to work in a group home because my previous job just wasn't paying enough. I'm so glad I gave it a shot, because it's the best job I've ever had. Here's some of the reasons it's so great:

1. It helps you gain patience.

I was never really a patient person before, thus part of why I never thought I would ever be able to work in a group home! After having worked at the group home I'm at for eight and a half months, I'm a much more patient person. You learn that the individuals you work with have their own pace, and it doesn't matter if you want them to move faster. It's their pace and that is OK, so you learn to be patient.

2. You learn about the medical field without needing medical certification.

I don't know about all companies, but the two in my area that I do know about don't require any medical certification to start out. You don't even need to be a CNA. Despite this, you learn much about the medical field. You learn about passing medications and the conditions that the medications are for. For anyone desiring a job in the medical field, being a DSS is a great start!

3. "Rewarding" doesn't even begin to cover it.

Being a DSS is the absolute best job that I have ever had in my entire life. Getting to work with the individuals that I do is honestly the absolute best. They're so entertaining and adorable. They each have their own specific way of doing things, and often it's different from how I or anyone else I know would do things. Getting to see their giant grins when they accomplish something — especially something I assisted them with — is one of the best feelings I have ever experienced. When I say that "rewarding" doesn't even begin to cover it, believe me, because I don't know what I would be doing with my life if it weren't for this job (although it's more than just any old job to me).

4. You meet some of the greatest coworkers!

Everyone I've ever known has always said that it takes a special kind of person to work in a group home, and though I don't know if there's anything special about us, it does take a certain kind of person: an awesome one.

I've become good friends with some of my coworkers because they're genuine people. You kind of have to be, in this line of work. My coworkers are so fun to be around, and to top it off, in part because of what we do, they are some of the most caring people I've met. What better friends can you have?