whims

To be a good CNA, you must have a dog

The first day of my CNA (certified nurse's assistant) course we spent a good hour (hour and a half?) introducing ourselves. I learned more about dog breeds (and 'tween breeds) in that hour and a half than I have since I did a project on dogs in the sixth grade. I also learned, and apparently quickly forgot, all of their pups' names. It was shocking to hear these women discussing anything but their professional goals on the first day of a professional training course. I felt odd talking about wanting to go to medical school and completely forgot to mention my two bat-like, pot-bellied pig furballs to the class. This quality of focusing on the personal over the "professional" is actually likely to make those women damn good CNAs, however. My focus on the mind and on thought, while making me good at uni and a likely manager, probably puts me at a disadvantage in the CNA world, where the most important quality for doing your job well is "a positive attitude."

These women are truly amazing. They're from all walks of life with all sorts of ambitions and reasons for enrolling in the course. I'm noticing a few categories:
-There's the most similar me: recent university graduates who want to go into the health field (mostly nursing) and are using this as a first step towards that. Most studied bio or prenursing.
-Recent high school graduates. I don't know why they're there and they're too shy to say anything. I think this job could be a shock for some of those girls...it's likely to be a shock for all of us, though.
-Moms. Single (mostly, there are some married ladies in this category too) young moms who need to make a living. After one month of training, they've got a certificate and can get a job in the one field that's hiring in this recession.
-The "mature" cohort. These women have gone through the ropes and the reels of life, either been mommies since they can remember and are going back to school for the first time since senior prom or need a new something to bite their teeth into.

...There is one fellow in the class. He's been awkwardly trying to assert his maleness, while not dominating. I actually think he's a nice guy, but in this situation of feeling like a emu in an ostrich pen, he's saying some chauvinist things. Really funny dude, I know you've got a wiener. It's okay, you can keep it.

Excluding the recent high school grads, I'd say at least 75% of these women are married, divorced, or have a child. That was a startling realization. Even many of the "career girls" have fancy blingy rings around their left ring finger.

And this is the kicker. I wonder if the fact that I don't want a ring around my finger or that I bike and am a veggie will make it harder for me to be a good CNA, especially here in Nebraska. If I get a job in a nursing home, I'll likely be dealing with even more conservative folks who may find it hard to relate to me and not to these other ladies I'm training with. I'm betting this won't happen, though. That positive attitude doesn't have to come in a ring-toting, coke-drinking package. I think compassion and understanding are much more important than any of those other descriptors. This course is very human and I love that. It teaches you to be kind, patient, understanding and supportive. It makes sense that people who love dogs would make good CNAs; it's the same sense of compassion and care that inspires both. Big goals or nose rings and compassion are certainly not exclusive.

posted by Marielly @ 10:22 PM