I'm not usually much of a hopper, but I just couldn't resist this one.
I recently started reading Your Doctor's Wife. It's a great blog and her header is one of the coolest I have EVER seen. For real.
Anyway, I couldn't resist this blog hop because it's a Medical Monday hop. Not only I am in the health care profession, but today makes one year that I've been caring for my main client.
I absolutely love what I do. If you're new here, I do home health care. I'm a CNA - Certified Nursing Assistant. I work for an agency but since I started, have had one main client.
The type of work I do is very hands on. Very personal. I help my clients with any aspect of their daily lives that they need help with. Some of the things I help with are dressing, taking medications, and going to appointments. I cook their meals. I see them at their worst and their best.
My main client gets 24 hour care. She can do very little for herself. I help her with any and everything. I have met all of her children and most of her grandchildren. I have bonded with my client and her family. I spend so much time at her home, it's like a second home to me.
Sidenote: All of my clients thus far have been continent (meaning they need little to no help using the restroom). This has been a blessing. I can and will do whatever I need to do, but I won't lie and say I'm not glad that I don't have to deal with a lot of....ummmm....waste products!
My philosophy is that I treat my clients the way I would want my parents to be treated. I am respectful and caring and warm. I do my best to help them maintain their dignity in a time where that can be a challenge. I speak to them with kindness, never talking down to them. I don't give orders, I make requests. I ask their opinion instead of making choices for them regarding things like meals and clothing. I wouldn't work in an environment where other caregivers did not treat their clients respectfully; I simply couldn't tolerate it.
I have loved senior citizens for as long as I can remember. I first felt called to do this type of work several years ago. Two years ago I finally took the plunge and did it. And I love it. I've never had a job that I loved this much, that was this rewarding and fulfilling. I feel appreciated and valued. I don't dread going to work. I think I've only missed work once this entire year and it was totally inevitable (and with the insanity I've been through this year, that's saying a LOT). This agency has been good to me and I appreciate them. When I first started, along with my main client I also cared for the company owner's grandmother until she passed away. I adored her and every time I left, she told me she loved me and gave me a hug. I miss her dearly.
It's a unique job. It has its challenges but the rewards are great.
I've worked in health care for over six years now and I can't imagine doing anything else, although I do plan to advance in this field. (I worked as a tech in a hospital for four years and did home health care independently for a year after that.)
I am not certain what the future holds; I have goals, hopes and dreams. But I know the health care field is where my heart is, and where I'll always be!
13 comments:
It's obvious you really do love what you're doing and that you are surely a blessing to your clients. A good bedside manner goes a long way!
Wow. I'm far too young to want in-home care, but I would LOVE for you to be my caretaker. You sound awesome!!!
Visiting from the bloghop :)
Abigail C
It's a lucky person who finds a job they not only enjoy, but do it so well. Your clients are lucky to have you in their lives.
You are doing a fabulous job. Really. It makes a world of a difference in healing when you have a health care professional with a heart as big as yours. Being a medical professional is more than treating people for illnesses it's about looking at the person as an entire human being.
That patient is so lucky to have you.
i love that you do what you do. because i couldn't.
Welcome to the blog hop! I admire what you do and am so glad there are people like you who love doing what they do. Thank you!
Hart to believe it has been a year already! Your a blessing to all your clients.
You are an angel. Pure and simple. I wish all the elderly had someone like you to take care of them. What a blessing you are. Seriously. Love.
I am currently beginning to think about what path to take (in the next few years as the kids get older). I love everything medical. Whether I go into nursing (which has always been a draw to me) or sonography or, whatever. I love it. I just don't know how to pick. :)
When my grandmother needed care, my parents took her in and hired CNA's. The nurses they had were awesome and my parents appreciated them so much! My grandmother passed away over 10 years ago, but still, my parents hear from the nurses from time to time, very sweet.
God Bless you for what you do! And Thank You.
You sound very lucky to find a job that you love this much!
I've thrown around the idea of getting my STNA license and doing home health.. however, I just started a job today being a care provider for people with developmental disabilities. It was an emotional first day.. it's an awesome feeling to know that you are doing something that has such a profound effect on others.
My mother started at a NA and loved it even though she ultimately moved into nursing admin. She loved patient care. You sound like you do a marvelous job!
Thank you for your kind words and linking up! I look forward to reading more!
You do a great thing :)
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