I know I haven't updated this in ages but I thought that I would surprise you all with a random post.
About a month ago I started training to be a CNA II at a hospital in Portland and I love it!! It's all the good things of being a caregiver and the nurses, for the most part, actually help/ understand if you're busy. Although, I have to say, my unit is WAY better then other ones I've heard of. I'm so thankful to God that I no longer have to worry SO much about money and that if I want to make more, I can. I am also sooooo thankful that I love my job. I don't think I've done something that I love more then being a CNA. . . I know that the end goal is to be a nurse and make more money but I REALLY like being a CNA.
Today, I worked OT (overtime) and "sat" with a patient on my unit that I'd actually sat with the day before. He isn't a very old man but for many reasons he had poor health issues and because his body was failing he was starting to lose his mind. And for his safety, he was unstable on his feet, the hospital had someone sit with him. He also, because of his health issues, had a temper and didn't understand things clearly. I was warned not to be a hero and that my safety was priority.
At first he was a little hesitant and unsure of me, a new comer to his circle, and put up a bit of a fight. By lunch he didn't want me to leave his side and was begging me to help him. He was so sad, because of his delusions, he thought that everyone was out to kill him. He truly believed this. I reassured him that no one was going to do that and that I wouldn't let anyone hurt him. He trusted me and I listened to him.
He had his ups and downs. Depending on what nurse came in or when he had his meds or if he'd take his meds, etc. But for the most part he was fine, just wanted to wander and talk to someone who'd listen. All was going well till 30 minutes after his evening meds. After that he was back to square one. The night nurse had to ask him to stay in bed because each time he got up was too unsteady on his feet. I sat next to him as he dozed off mumbling, "why Melody? Why? Why'd you do it? why?".
Well, in the morning my hospital called to see if I could sit with him again and I said I would. Today was much better and he didn't think anyone was going to kill him. he'd slept most of the night. Today, he was still confused but he wasn't angry and he slept most of the day away. Apparently, he hadn't slept for 3 days prior to the night before. I was so thankful he slept and that he was doing better. He didn't think I was going to kill him either!
I love my job but I've come to realize, I'm kind of glad most of my patients are in and out within the day. My guy from the past two days was physically easy to handle but emotionally hard. I pray he is doing well tonight. I can't help but feel like he's "mine" and that I want everything with his health care to go well. As the person who cares for him the most I hate how cold and distant some nurses and doctors can be. I understand that for doctors its 1 face in hundreds that they care for but I wonder what is missing if that is the case. A doctor, nurse, and cna are to be the most sympathetic, understanding, and loving of all people. At least that is what I think.
Part of me worries about getting jaded, like many do in any profession. I pray that God sends me some patients like my guy, now and then, to remind me that just listening, patting a back, giving a hug, looking a person in the eye, and just being another human who cares is more then enough. More so, I pray that I will never forget to love each patient who walks through my hospital's doors. That each patient is my guest and that I am to serve them graciously and to the best of my ability. Even if I got off at 1130pm and have to start the next day at 7am.
About a month ago I started training to be a CNA II at a hospital in Portland and I love it!! It's all the good things of being a caregiver and the nurses, for the most part, actually help/ understand if you're busy. Although, I have to say, my unit is WAY better then other ones I've heard of. I'm so thankful to God that I no longer have to worry SO much about money and that if I want to make more, I can. I am also sooooo thankful that I love my job. I don't think I've done something that I love more then being a CNA. . . I know that the end goal is to be a nurse and make more money but I REALLY like being a CNA.
Today, I worked OT (overtime) and "sat" with a patient on my unit that I'd actually sat with the day before. He isn't a very old man but for many reasons he had poor health issues and because his body was failing he was starting to lose his mind. And for his safety, he was unstable on his feet, the hospital had someone sit with him. He also, because of his health issues, had a temper and didn't understand things clearly. I was warned not to be a hero and that my safety was priority.
At first he was a little hesitant and unsure of me, a new comer to his circle, and put up a bit of a fight. By lunch he didn't want me to leave his side and was begging me to help him. He was so sad, because of his delusions, he thought that everyone was out to kill him. He truly believed this. I reassured him that no one was going to do that and that I wouldn't let anyone hurt him. He trusted me and I listened to him.
He had his ups and downs. Depending on what nurse came in or when he had his meds or if he'd take his meds, etc. But for the most part he was fine, just wanted to wander and talk to someone who'd listen. All was going well till 30 minutes after his evening meds. After that he was back to square one. The night nurse had to ask him to stay in bed because each time he got up was too unsteady on his feet. I sat next to him as he dozed off mumbling, "why Melody? Why? Why'd you do it? why?".
Well, in the morning my hospital called to see if I could sit with him again and I said I would. Today was much better and he didn't think anyone was going to kill him. he'd slept most of the night. Today, he was still confused but he wasn't angry and he slept most of the day away. Apparently, he hadn't slept for 3 days prior to the night before. I was so thankful he slept and that he was doing better. He didn't think I was going to kill him either!
I love my job but I've come to realize, I'm kind of glad most of my patients are in and out within the day. My guy from the past two days was physically easy to handle but emotionally hard. I pray he is doing well tonight. I can't help but feel like he's "mine" and that I want everything with his health care to go well. As the person who cares for him the most I hate how cold and distant some nurses and doctors can be. I understand that for doctors its 1 face in hundreds that they care for but I wonder what is missing if that is the case. A doctor, nurse, and cna are to be the most sympathetic, understanding, and loving of all people. At least that is what I think.
Part of me worries about getting jaded, like many do in any profession. I pray that God sends me some patients like my guy, now and then, to remind me that just listening, patting a back, giving a hug, looking a person in the eye, and just being another human who cares is more then enough. More so, I pray that I will never forget to love each patient who walks through my hospital's doors. That each patient is my guest and that I am to serve them graciously and to the best of my ability. Even if I got off at 1130pm and have to start the next day at 7am.
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