How much do I make

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"You're a CNA? That's cool, I have a friend that does that. How much do you make?"
The CNA replied: "How much do I make?!
“I can make holding your hand seem like the most important thing in the world when you're scared... I can make your child breathe again when they've stopped... I can help your father regain some function and movement in his limbs after a stroke...I can make myself get up at 5AM to make sure your mother is sleeping well and her vitals are good...I work all day to improve the lives of strangers...I make my family wait for dinner until I know your family member is taken care of...I make myself skip lunch so that I can make sure that everything I did for your wife today is charted...I make myself work weekends and holidays because people don't just get sick Monday - Friday. Today, I might save your life. How much do I make? All I know is that I make a difference.”

I make a difference every day at work. Every day I make patients more comfortable. Every day I push patients to their physical limits, challenging them to do more, and they in turn challenge me to be more. The moments that the family members hug you and thank you for all you do, the moment you answer a call light to find a patient on the floor looking up at you saying "I'm so glad you're here", the moment you step back from beside the bed as their spirit takes flight and you feel the heartbreak and joy overwhelm you at the same time, those are the moments that make this job.

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