Over the years I have seen many selfless acts performed
by those that have so little to give. This post is in honor of the noble
certified nurse aide, CNA.
I normally work 2pm-10pm on call C
I am pulling an extra shift on the 6am-2pm shift and on a
different hall. I am unfamiliar with the CNA staff and residents. It’s going to
be a stressful day; in general, we are running short on staff. I have looked everywhere
for Mrs. Smith to give her allergy eye drops. Standing outside the shower room
door, I can hear water running. I knock; wait for an answer, and then I pop my
head in. I ask the CNA if she has seen Mrs. Smith.
Here is what I see
in the shower room.
The water is running in an empty stall on full hot to warm
up the room, in the sink is bottles of shampoo, conditioner, hair mouse, body powder,
a couple of bottles of body sprays, and scented lotions (all purchased with the
CNA’s personal money and purchased on her own time from Wal-Mart) The resident
in the shower room is smiling, and her face and body language appear relaxed. I
introduce myself, (I am the guest here) and I ask her how she is doing. She replies
that she is doing “alright” with a gently nod of yes and a broad smile.
This is just example of the generosity I see daily in a traditional
nursing home from CNA staff. It is a
common site at shift change to see the CNA staff walk through the front doors
carrying 2 bags of Wal-Mart products for the residents they are assigned to.
Income In
2008, the average hourly earnings of Texas CNAs was $10.07. This is before they pay taxes and social
security, and health insurance
Texas CNAs earn an average of $20,940 per year.
I am always blown away when I see them carting in gifts
for their residents, I have seen clothes, blankets, shoes, hats, and beauty
products all purchased from the CNA to give to their residents. This is on a
daily basis, the gifts increase around birthdays and holidays.
(Mostly candy and lipstick)
My job as a floor nurse would be impossible it wasn't for
the generosity and help of the noble CNA.
The
extra touch the CNA gives daily
Some
of the following are state regulations but it is still up to the CNA to make it
a pleasant experience
Gently wakes the resident and allows them time to wake up
before pushing them out of their room for breakfast.
Gives choices on what the resident wants to wear based on
the activities of the day and weather. Sometimes this takes half an hour. The
CNA will have to speed walk from room to room and have their supplies beyond
organized to make up for this lost time.
The CNA knows which resident needs extra care in order to
feel respectable in public such as room 109 likes to wear cosmetics, room 113
likes her hair braided, and room 121 needs extra help with his morning shave.
I have seen CNAs who knew which residents are early
risers and ensure they are up and dressed for their first cup of coffee.
The CNA organize the room, give baths, assist with
dressing and undressing, and lend a hand with bedtime routines. They spoon feed
the resident who needs support with dinning.
While the nurse is monitoring medication application, answer
the phones, calling the doctors, faxing lab results, pushing a heavy med cart,
and answering questions from family members, the CNA is the hands on
interpersonal touch to the resident. The CNA is the one who makes sure your
loved one is made aware of parties and activities, gives a hand with transportation,
and ensures that no one is left out of the activity.
The next time you’re in a traditional nursing home, learn
the name of the CNA caring for your loved one, and when you are lucky enough to
have aged a long time, and are ready for a nursing home lifestyle, adopt your
CNA staff as family and treat them with love and care and you will get triple
the love back from the noble CNA.
Till next month, Nurse Kimmy
