A cna does all of the grunt work. We bathe people even at 2 am when they shit from head to toe,literaly,especially on laxiative night.We walk people to the bathroom even if they can barely stand anywhere from 2 to 12 times a night(not exaggerating)or more.We feed the people even if they can do it themselves but refuse to for whatever reason to make sure they don't starve to death.We hold hands of people who had nightmares because they are scared and alone.And finally we are at the beck and call of everyone from housekeeping (cleaning rooms) to laudry(cleaning closets) to p.t.(transporting people)to dietary(cleaning dineing room)to nurses (every thing;vitals,b.m.,food intake,etc.moods)plus familys("mom's notbeing turned enough")Basicly we do everything a parent would do for 18 to 30 children all in 8 hours.

I loved almost every one I worked in.Especially if the nurses were understanding and let me do my work without an attitude.I am the type of cna who goes beyond the call of duty. If I see someone is trying to break down I will turn them more often, so don't look at the turn schedule and question me about it.If a patient is hungry at night (I worked the 10-6 shift) I would find them something to eat. I loved when they didn't pass the bedtime snacks.It gave me something to feed the people at night.If some one had an oder I bed bathed them after my 2 o'clock rounds.I also forced fluids on them at night. I like it if there is a relaxed atmosphere,respect from my co-workers(adm.,nurses and cna's) and the supplies I need to do my job. I've even worked in n.h.that did't have soap, lotion (i believe heavily in lotion the skin is the first line of defense) or even enough pads at night. so I had to laundry just to to have them for round's.But even that didn't both me.And don't get me on therometer's and bp cuff's. I bought my own. It really doesn't take much to make me happy. But my my pet peeves are many. I'll give you some examples.One night we had 2 cna's for 120 patient's.I had finished first round at 12:30. I went outside to grab a quick cig.when I came back in my nurse was made at me and told me I had four lights on. She was sitting at the desk reading a magazine.And never moved. She never answered one light all night long.I HATE working with nurses like that.another instance a pt. was acting pecular one night. She was very confused and disoriented.So I took her vital's and reported it to the nurse. The vital's were normal so she said not to worry about it. When I came into work the next night they told me she had died that afternoon. She had a massive stroke.Unfortunately I could go on in 20 year"s as a cna.But my biggest pet peeve is getting up pt.'s up at4:30 in the a.m. If they want to that's okay as long as I can get to the bed patient's before I get off. But not a tube feeder or someone who is incorent so they can sleep in their chair.That' being up way to long.Oh an also the new no restraint policy.No bed rails and no seatbelts in wc. To many fall's are happening and too many people are gatting hurt.Me included. But I have worked where the nurses were angels.They helped me and in return I did my best to help them.

I worked as a CNA for 10 yrs before becoming a nurse. And I think they are the hardest working, unappreciated medical staff in the health care business. They spent more time with the resident then anyone else on the staff. If CNA's tell you something is wrong, you should at least investigate. Don't get me wrong, I loved being a CNA, taking care of residents for any care they needed, I also liked listening to stories about how times have changed, the depression, Pearl Harbor and how they dressed in the 20's and 30's, segregation and how their families all worked together to make a living. And as a nurse(working in hospital now), I will help my assistants and jump in there to help. I give respect and they give it back to me, we work as a team. It is more efficient for OUR patient and they can get better sooner.