A day in the life of a CNA

Waking up at 5am, exhausted and sore from the night before.
Take a shower to try and wake yourself up, yet it doesn't help like you had hoped.
You put on a fresh pair of scrubs and pull back your hair, looking in the mirror, just to see the dark circles and bags under your eyes. Shaking your head, you finish getting ready.

You walk through the doors at work, with the not-so-welcoming smell of urine mixed with the smell of coffee being brewed in the next room over.

You get the pass down, and get to work. Today is one of the busy days... You don't sit down... You barely have time to use the bathroom without rushing to go grab that page Mrs. Johnson has sent out for the 11th time in that same hour.

Out of the clear blue, Mr. Dave, one of your favorite residents at work, seems to be overly exhausted, and not quite himself. You encourage him to lay down, and try to get some sleep, yet you can't quite shake the feeling that something more is happening. You don't say anything about it to him... You want him to feel comforted and loved. When you pass down to the nurse, they tell you to keep a close eye on him, that "This can be it... He very well may not make it through the night." With a heart full of sorrow, you return to your daily duties.

Hours pass.....

You haven't seen nor heard anything from Mr. Dave... That sinking feeling returns as you enter his room.

There, you find him gasping for air... You want to save him, but can't... He is DNR.
Sitting down by his side, you take his graying hand into yours, and whisper with a lump in your throat: "It's okay Mr. Dave, you can go."
Watching his chest shallowly rise and fall, you are there.... And as he takes his last breath, you call the nurse in. You prepare the body, ensuring that you still keep his dignity. This is one of the hardest parts of your job... You know you won't see his smiling face, mindlessly wandering the halls, making friends with almost everyone he comes in contact with. You hold in the tears.. To cry in front of the family, would be unprofessional, but in your mind, you can hear the sorrow filled words, echo through your mind. When the family has said goodbye, and the body is taken away, you return to your duties... Almost as if nothing happened. But in your heart, you still feel heavy.

Ms. Logan has the stomach flu.. Again... Instead of making it to the basin you have for her, she winds up throwing up on you. "Great" you think, but don't say anything... She is embarrassed, but you assure her, it's no big deal, even though on the inside, you definitely want to join in on the vomit fest.

Ms. Salzaur has eaten something that doesn't agree with her stomach, and has soiled herself. You rush to her side to assist her needs, and while cleaning up, her soiled clothing lands on your shoes.... At this point, you want to scream, but don't... Instead, after cleaning her up, you grab a disinfecting wipe, and clean yourself up.

Finally, your day is coming to a close. You are exhausted. Mentally, physically, and emotionally. You've been puked on, and pooped on. You lost one of your favorite residents... You are ready for home. You are ready for bed.

On the car ride home, you allow your tears to flow freely for Mr. Dave... You allow yourself to mourn, because to hang on to something like that, would be effecting your job performance.

When you get home, and take a nice hot shower.. washing away the day.
All you want to do is sleep, so you crawl into bed...
But, there's no sleeping in tomorrow....
You have to do it all over again.

Although you may be exhausted, you go to bed happy, with the knowledge that you have helped others.... That you were there for someones last breath, and you were there to comfort those that were sick.... To you... It all has been worth it.