The Easiest CNA Job on Earth

Being a CNA can be the hardest job in the world. The doctors come by and give the patients a cursory glance, the RN’s and LPN’s hand out the meds and do the heavy paper work and the CNA’s give the patients baths, dress them, groom them, feed them, take them to the bathroom, and for the incontinent ones, clean up after them. Of all three of these job levels, which one would you guess gets paid the least but should get paid the most? The answer of course is the CNA.

When you are a CNA working in a nursing home you are run ragged. There is no time for anything. When you are a CNA working in a hospital, things get so crazy that you can easily forget which room you are supposed to be going to. However, if you are a home health CNA than your life is actually yours and your patients actually get the attention that they need! Of all the CNA jobs I have had, home health is hands down the easiest and most rewarding one, and here is why:

• When you do home health, it is just you and your patient. There is plenty of time to get things done properly and get to know your patient.
• Working away from a facility allows for much more flexibility as there are no bosses looking over your shoulder while you work.
• If you have an agreeable client you can work your hours around your needs. If your child has a doctor’s appointment during the time you are supposed to be at your patient’s home, you can arrange a different time with your patient so you can do for your child.
• The work is typically very light. The majority of home health patients do not really need as many hours as they are given. If you are scheduled to be with a patient for 3 hours each day, chances are that you will actually be doing work related duties for an hour or so. The rest of the time belongs to you and your patient.

For me, the most wonderful part of home health is the relationships you can develop. I have been with my patient for 3 years. While your employer will tell you that you are not supposed to become friends with your patients, this is totally impossible. You are spending one-on-one time with them every day so a relationship is bound to develop. You talk to each other about your family and friends and your hopes and dreams. You learn almost everything about your patient and them about you! My patient is like part of my family now. She comes to my children’s birthday parties and to holiday events. We talk and see each other even on my off hours. For a CNA who got into this field because they love people, this is the perfect type of job and that is what it was (and is) all about for me!

This article is part of a series of  articles that talk about how work is when you’re a certified nursing assistant. The article above and the thoughts expressed therein are those of the author, Tanya Glover who is a practicing CNA.