Fighting the Feeling of Failure
Something very common in the medical world is the feeling that we haven't done enough. We could have spent more one-on-one time, we could have gotten to that call light quicker, could have... and the list goes on and on. On more than one occasion have I left work ready to cry because I wasn't able to give the level of care that I would like to, because of being short staffed, emergencies arise, etc. The feeling is often present in care givers that they have failed, and how sad that is.
If you followed a CNA around on an 8 hour shift, you would be blown away with the pain they relieve, the hearts they comfort, the aches they soothe, whereas the aide won't see it. Oh, they'll see that they finished getting everyone up on time, or that they got all their vitals to the nurse by 4, or whatever technical work they've completed, but they won't see the deeper level very often.
When you have a job like we do, you are constantly giving, not only physically, but emotionally. It kills you to have to leave the bedside of a patient crying out of loneliness or pain because a bathroom call light is going off, and you have nine other patients to look after and check on.
One of my coworkers is an EMT and fireman for a neighboring city, and he has commented on the fact that when he goes to the store in his scrubs, he is ignored by other shoppers. Occasionally he gets a look or two, but nothing big. However, when he wears his fireman uniform, he is repeatedly stopped, thanked, and appreciated for the work he does. He then told me that he disagrees with the public's view of his two jobs. He said that he does more to ease suffering and help others in an eight hour shift at our facility than in a week at his other job. I found that interesting.
How we should appreciate and acknowledge the held hand of a dementia patient as they deal with the fear of losing the memories of their lives and family, or a wet shoulder from the tears of a patient in agony on the worn scrubs of an exhausted aide. Do not forget the doctors, nurses, CNAs, med techs, etc who sacrifice time with their loved ones to care for yours. Do not forget the hands that work tirelessly to ease suffering, who care for your family member so you don't have to, and who push themselves to the limit as they ease the transition from one side of the veil to the other.
The best reward I receive for my work is a smile and a thank you. Don't forget to thank the caregivers in your life, and appreciate all that they do.
If you followed a CNA around on an 8 hour shift, you would be blown away with the pain they relieve, the hearts they comfort, the aches they soothe, whereas the aide won't see it. Oh, they'll see that they finished getting everyone up on time, or that they got all their vitals to the nurse by 4, or whatever technical work they've completed, but they won't see the deeper level very often.
When you have a job like we do, you are constantly giving, not only physically, but emotionally. It kills you to have to leave the bedside of a patient crying out of loneliness or pain because a bathroom call light is going off, and you have nine other patients to look after and check on.
How we should appreciate and acknowledge the held hand of a dementia patient as they deal with the fear of losing the memories of their lives and family, or a wet shoulder from the tears of a patient in agony on the worn scrubs of an exhausted aide. Do not forget the doctors, nurses, CNAs, med techs, etc who sacrifice time with their loved ones to care for yours. Do not forget the hands that work tirelessly to ease suffering, who care for your family member so you don't have to, and who push themselves to the limit as they ease the transition from one side of the veil to the other.
The best reward I receive for my work is a smile and a thank you. Don't forget to thank the caregivers in your life, and appreciate all that they do.
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