What drives you to work your hardest? Of course, you need income to pay your bills, but given it’s an investment of at least 40 hours of your life each week, shouldn’t work do more than that?
Determining what you want to feel about your work and your role makes all the difference in your success, and this goes double for the profession of a certified nursing assistant (CNA) where you work in caring for others.
It’s vital for you—yes, you—to see your value in your job and realize how your individual gifts are put to use in what you do. The best way to know if the work of a CNA is a good fit is to have a clear understanding of your “why,” as well as who you are and how you work best.
Being a CNA isn’t for everyone, but if you have the personality, passion and proper tools, the work will be rewarding and set you on a path to making a difference. Plus, your days will fly by. Here, we’ll help you assess a few of the qualities that make for a good fit as a CNA, and even highlight a few examples of how to maximize personality traits for your best work experience!
What Drives You?
First, briefly study the list of statements below and check all those that apply to you.
- I like to help others
- I like my work to make a difference
- I like to collaborate
- I like to keep busy
- I like to learn
- I’m organized
- I like to work on a team
- I pay attention to details
- I like to learn
- I take pride in my efforts
If you selected at least six of the statements above, it’s quite possible that work as a CNA could be for you. The CNA is an essential member of the care team in many home care and medical settings. These are professionals who provide a great deal of hands-on, intimate care and attention to patients, including assisting bedridden individuals, taking patient vital signs, answering patient calls, and documenting patient health issues and working closely with nurses to address them.
Here are our tips to maximize the qualities that lend themselves best to satisfied and productive CNAs:
Be curious: Working as a CNA assures you’ll have an opportunity to discover something you didn’t know about medicine, physiology, and people almost every day. Look forward to this, and take advantage of the opportunities to learn.
For some, work as a CNA is their primary career goal, but often once people get a taste of the medical profession they find themselves taking courses toward another goal. You will have access to courses online through a community college and even from your employer. Take advantage of courses no matter your professional goals, and this will keep you invigorated about the work you do.
One way to help you stay engaged in your vital role as a CNA is to join a national organization. You can learn about the benefits of the National Association of Health Care Assistants here. Talking and networking with others will afford you information sure to assist you in remaining energized.
Be fit: Of course, it’s often easier said than done, but taking care of yourself both physically and mentally will keep you working better, too. The responsibilities of a CNA are varied and physically-demanding, and caring for others in general can tap into your emotional energy.
You are on your feet and on the move each day, often lifting and bending as you go. It’s essential you practice good lifting practices, too, and take the time to stretch before and after a shift. If your employer offers access to exercise services, take advantage of them.
You can also take the initiative to organize a group stretch with some of your co-workers before or after a shift. Over at Daily Nurse, they offer 4 stretches that will get you started. The first is a neck stretch that is so simple you can do it several times throughout your day. Go ahead and try tilting your head to one side until you feel the gentle pull. You can feel the release the tension in your shoulders!
Be patient: Give yourself and others the gift of patience. Sometimes progress is slow, and we don’t always know what motivates others, so it’s important to step back and look at each difficult moment objectively. Try and see a situation through the eyes of a patient or co-worker, but don’t slay yourself when you need a break to regroup.
Take care of yourself physically and emotionally. Make time for you to do things you enjoy and gift yourself the occasional massage or pedicure. Take deep breathing breaks and silent meditative time just to rest for ten minutes each day. Your body is your temple, so treat it with care. Over at Inc., they offer up breathing and other tips for practicing patience. The benefits include you feeling happier in return.
Love What You Do
Caring for others as a CNA is important and critical work, but it is especially necessary for caregivers to care for themselves as well. At Home Health Companions, we know that success as a CNA involves knowledge and best practices to assure success in the profession. Keep your eye on your purpose, stay fit and practice patience, and you’ll be rewarded with the satisfaction of making a difference and doing your best work.
Maybe you can even do that on our team—we’re hiring!
Bibliography
https://dailynurse.com/4-best-stretches-nurses/
https://www.homehealthcompanions.com/10-tips-to-become-a-better-cna