When people think of nursing homes they often have negative images come to mind like a bunch of elderly residents sitting alone in their rooms in wheelchairs, or long, dimly lit hallways filled with strange smells. Well, I’m here to tell you that this isn’t the case in most nursing homes, especially not in the one I work at. Yes, I am a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) in a nursing home, and yes—as you can probably gather from the title of this article—I do in fact love my job.
Sure, being a CNA isn’t glorious all of the time. I’m sure many of you know of the extensive list of tasks and duties that we have to cover every single day for every single resident. It’s no secret that we have to help residents get dressed and ready for the day, help residents eat, and we also have to take residents to and from the bathroom. I often get asked how I am able to do these types of tasks, or told by others that they would “NEVER” be able to do that. I usually laugh at these comments as those people just don’t understand, and probably never will.
My job ISN’T just about the dirty work and continuous running around answering call lights I have to do day in and day out. My job IS about the fact that I am taking care of human beings who are no longer able to fully take care of themselves even though it pains them and they wish that they could. I am taking care of someone’s loved one. I am caring for your mom, your dad, your aunt, your uncle, and for most of the people in my own generation…I am taking care of your grandma and grandpa.
Although I can’t speak for every single CNA out there…I can proudly speak on behalf of myself and add that I am taking care of your loved ones extremely well—as if they were family of my own. I am the face that your loved one gets to see every day so I know them quite well. I know what time your loved one likes to wake up in the morning, what shoes they prefer to wear, I know what they like to eat/drink and their routines as the day goes on. I’ve seen them at their best, when I make them laugh—or they make me laugh—with one of their funny stories from back in the day. Yet, I’ve also seen them at their worst, when they cry from being in pain, or from being lonely. I’ve held their hand while sitting at their bed side, and have cried along with them. I have prayed with them upon being asked to, and I’ve also given them their time alone if they needed it.
You see, I have always been quite fond of the elderly generation. The critics once again would ask me, “How can you like old people?” or say crude remarks like “Old people are gross.” But I continue to stick up for them. Because how could you not be thankful to the generation who paved the way before us? Without them here our world would not be as advanced as it is today. I have learned so much simply by listening to them. Their stories are amazing. These individuals have been through events like World Wars and the Great Depression. They found true love, raised a family and worked hard at their jobs during these trying times. They knew how to stick together with their spouse when times got tough, which is very rare in today’s society. They didn’t have the distractions of smartphones and the Internet, yet were truly happy anyway. They respect me and are very appreciative of all the work I do for them. They listen and care about what I have to say. So for all those reasons, and at least a million more, I will continue to provide care for them to the best of my ability. After all, critics, you may be young now…but you are going to want someone like me to take care of someone like you someday.
