FOR ALL THE NEW C.N.A.'S JUST STARTING OUT

When I started working as a certified nursing assistant several years ago I know nothing. I was fresh out of an 80 hour C.N.A. course and landed my first job in a nursing home. I thought the other certified nursing assistants would help me gain some confidence, show me the ropes, etc. Most of the other aides just ignored me or made sure I got the worst jobs to do. I have since found out that this is pretty typical treatment for any new C.N.A. starting out (how sad). So my story starts out like many nurse aide stories start: working hard, being treated badly, feeling insecure, and unloved.

After about a month at my new job not much had changed and I was seriously considering quitting. Maybe this was not the change I was looking for. Then one day Mrs. J. came into the facility. She was 92 years old but you would never have known it when you talked to her. One day I was making her bed and helping her into the bathroom when she said " You seem very unhappy, Amy." I didn't want to go into my horrible month working there but I did make a quick comment. I said, "I don't think I am very good at this job." She said." What makes you say that?" I told her that I felt unsure of myself when I was helping the residents. "How long have you been working as a C.N.A." she asked. It had been about a month and a half at that point. She said, " So you think you should be an expert in just a month and a half?" I realized I had been hard on myself. I had taken the criticism of the other C.N.A.'s way to seriously, thinking I was not good enough to work there. Mrs. J. gave a little laugh and said, "There will always be people who will want to 'take you down' you have to listen to your own heart, it will always show you what is right for you."

From then on Mrs. J. and I were good friends. She was always kind and patient with me. Come to find out she had been a nurse all of her life and she ended up teaching me many things above and beyond certified nursing assistant work. Because of Mrs. J. I am now in nursing school and excited about my future. I was so close to quitting, giving up and moving on until Mrs. J. came into my life. Yes, there have been many hard to get along with nurse aides and residents but when a Mrs. J comes into your life you see that all the hard times seem to fade into nothing. And there are many Mrs. J out there to meet and to give your time and love to. I would not trade that time with her in that horrible nursing home for anything. So I say to all the discouraged nurse aides out there, hang in there, things will get better and you will one day meet someone that will be so very thankful for your help and your caring. Amy, CO.