CNA’s: Gentle and Tough at the Same Time
CNA’s have many different roles in health care. Most often they are found assisting nurses in skilled nursing facilities and hospital environments. No, they do not do a credit check. They typically perform routine tasks that a patient may not be able to do for themselves. Some patients are permanently incapacitated due to age, illness or injury, while others may be suffering from a temporary set back needing rehabilitation services. It is a job that requires a balance of being tough and well able to handle the work load while maintaining a spirit of gentleness when it comes to caring for both the emotional and physical needs of patients. The CNA’s position is an important one and those who have completed the necessary CNA classes and training generally have no shortage of work. This can include:
- Assisting patients with rehabilitation exercises
- Assisting patients with meals
- Bathing and dressing patients
- Assisting patients with daily hygiene
- Monitoring vital signs
CNA’s are generally at or are near the bottom of the health care pay scale but are an extremely necessary part of the health care team. The pay scale for those who have completed CNA Training reflects more of a level of education then it does the amount of work that is expected of these care providers. The hours are most often long, with more then an enough to do and CNA’s often express there being more work then they can possibly accomplish in a given day. Nursing assistants are among work force groups with the highest amount of back injuries.
The root of this problem is related to the amount of work they have to do and the time they have to do it in. Routinely lifting and moving patients under a pressing schedule almost inevitably leads to injuries. For many, the career as a CNA is a short one. Those who see a lack of real long term benefits for themselves simply either move on to find other means of employment or continue down the path of education to improve their options in the health care industry. Whatever the case may be, it is unquestionable that certified nursing assistants have a tough and labor intensive job.
