| Being a Nursing Assistant can be a very rewarding | | | | themselves running short on time to complete |
| career for those who are compassionate, | | | | everything on the agenda for a given day. |
| hardworking, and who enjoy helping others. They are | | | | One of the most difficult things for Nursing |
| a necessary part of the medical field. Often, their | | | | Assistants to deal with is the behaviors of patients. |
| work goes unappreciated by others in the medical | | | | While most appreciate the help being offered, others |
| profession. There are disadvantages to being a | | | | become very angry and mean towards the Nursing |
| Nursing Assistant that can lead to someone no longer | | | | Assistant. The risk of both physical and emotional |
| enjoying their job. The Nursing Assistant profession | | | | abuse is very high in this profession. This can |
| has one of the highest turn over rates in the medical | | | | definitely take a toll of anyone. |
| field. | | | | As with any area of the medical field, Nursing |
| Most people who become certified as a Nursing | | | | Assistants are exposed to death and dying. There |
| Assistant don't do it for the pay. They are interested | | | | are times when feelings of hopelessness are felt by |
| as a way of helping others and working with other | | | | the Nursing Assistant as they see patients that they |
| medical professionals. The low cost of the program | | | | aren't able to help as much as they would like to. |
| as well as the short amount of time it takes to | | | | While they understand that is part of the medical |
| complete it are also big motivators to enroll in such a | | | | profession, it can still be very difficult to take. |
| program. | | | | Even the most dedicated and responsible Nursing |
| We all like to feel appreciated, both professionally and | | | | Assistants can start to feel burnout in association |
| personally. Nursing Assistants who don't feel | | | | with their job. This is when your job becomes so |
| respected and appreciated by the other medical staff | | | | overwhelming that you lose interest in it, as well as |
| quickly come to dislike their job. It can lead to | | | | other activities. It can be the result of working too |
| feelings of inadequacy and resentment. In some | | | | many hours, working short staff, or a combination of |
| cases, it can result in not performing duties to the | | | | other factors. Watch for the warning signs. |
| best of your ability. In others, it can result in simply | | | | The decision to pursue employment as a Nursing |
| not performing the duties you don't enjoy doing. | | | | Assistant lead to a wonderful career for you. |
| While Nursing Assistants help keep things running | | | | However, it is important that you are fully aware of |
| smooth for everyone including patients, families, and | | | | the disadvantages of the career choice as well. This |
| other medical staff, they are often not paid very | | | | way you can make an informed decision. You will |
| well. This type of position is considered entry level. | | | | need to ask yourself if the advantages outweigh the |
| The starting pay is generally a few dollars above | | | | disadvantages. It will also help you prepare for signs |
| minimum wage, but when compared to the earnings | | | | of such disadvantages that you can overcome. |
| of Nursing staff, the pay is still considered to be very | | | | For example, you can obtain counseling services if |
| low. | | | | you are experiencing negative feelings related to the |
| Being a Nursing Assistant exposes you to a wide | | | | death of a patient or other such issue. You can |
| variety of patients. Meeting their needs including | | | | prepare yourself for issues that arise with other |
| feeding, bathing, and dressing can often be difficult. | | | | staff, and know where in your facility to go with |
| Nursing Assistants are also required to be able to | | | | that information for a solution. You can also prepare |
| assist the Nursing staff with anything that arises | | | | yourself to avoid burnout with the job, and take the |
| during their shift. Nursing Assistants often find | | | | necessary steps if you start to feel that way. |