Have You Thanked a CNA Lately?
Chances are, you, or someone you know, has been cared for by a certified nursing assistant. Perhaps you have a grandparent living in a nursing home or an uncle who has moved to an assisted living facility. Maybe you’ve been in the hospital or had a loved one die at home with hospice care. No matter where health care is provided, you’ll find hardworking, devoted CNAs. They perform a job that is both physically and emotionally demanding. In fact, nursing assistants provide up to 90% of the hands-on care for our sick and our elderly.
Yet, CNAs often feel unappreciated—by the general public and by their co-workers. Throughout the U.S., we are losing good CNAs who just can’t handle doing so much work for so little respect. How can we turn this around? Let’s band together to show nursing assistants that they have our support and appreciation!
Read messages from grateful nurses, everyday folks and famous celebrities…then add your own words of support for nursing assistants everywhere!
Duke Basketball Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski
To the Hardworking and Devoted CNAs Across the United States: I want to thank you for the work that you do in helping people across our great country become better. Obviously, every patient needs a team of dedicated people around him or her in order to get to full health. The dedicated work that CNAs do in hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, adult daycare centers and in people's homes have provided an atmosphere that is conducive for success. I know that performing your job can be both physically and emotionally demanding. I want you to know that it is worth it! You give 100% to each patient and as a result that patient has a better chance. Thank you so much for what you do. I hope that at an appropriate time you can step back and see and feel the amazing work that all of you are doing. My very best wishes always. Sincerely, Coach Mike Krzyzewski
Ballroom Dance Champion and TV Personality Mary Murphy
“Two years ago, I lost my father to lung cancer. The day I arrived home, it was as if he was waiting for me to get home after the finale [of So You Think You Can Dance]. I had to rush him to the hospital. I moved into the hospital for three weeks and saw firsthand what goes on. For the first time, I realized what hard work it was for the nurses and the nursing assistants. It opened my eyes to how compassionate, how relevent, their jobs are to the care of our loved ones. From what I witnessed, CNAs are nothing short of angels on this earth. I can’t thank them enough for what they did for my father and for checking up on me during a time of crisis in my life. They took care of us as if we were their own family and they have my deepest respect.”
Author Jodi Picoult
"When my middle son was five years old, he was diagnosed with a chronic condition that led to twelve surgeries in three year's time. We spent a great deal of time in hospitals, and I continue to be grateful for the support of the CNAs who made the journey a little less frightening for both my son and myself. Nurses are the heart of any medical organization - not just keeping that circulation going...but also the compassion." Jodi Picoult
United States Senator Richard Burr
"A top priority of mine as a United States Senator and as a member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions is to increase access to afforable, quality health care. I understand the important role that CNAs play in carrying out this priority and I agree that we must continue to invest in our nation's CNA workforce.
Due to an increasing and aging population, the demand for nursing assistants, a majority of whom serve in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, is expected to grow significantly. That's why I believe it is important we take steps now to address this shortage in the health professions. Health professions workforce development is a national priority.
In addition, you may be interested to know that I have supported--and will continue to support--efforts to make sure we adequately fund the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development programs in the budget. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate to provide more opportunities for Americans to enter nursing professions and address our health workforce needs."
Sincerely, Richard Burr, United States Senator
What would you like to say to the hardworking, devoted CNAs across the U.S. and beyond?
It might be words of encouragement, a bit of advice, a personal experience or simply expressions of gratitude.
We'd love to hear from you!
Challenging and Interesting Work
Elise Grace, CNA
In our quest to celebrate CNAs everywhere, we jumped at the chance to chat with Elise Grace, a CNA who is from England. She has been living in the United States (and did her CNA training here), but will soon be returning to the UK. Here are Elise's thoughts about why she became a nursing assistant and what ...
