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!
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 Kay Hagan
Like you, I am proud of the contributions made to our health care system by certified nursing assistants (CNAs). Certified nursing assistants, also known as nurses' aides, orderlies, patient care technicians, and home health aides, work under the supervision of a nurse to provide assistance to patients with daily living tasks.
CNAs are on the front lines of patient care and are vital to the daily operations of hospitals and nursing care facilities. Working closely with patients, CNAs are responsible for basic care services such as bathing, grooming and feeding patients, assisting nurses with medical equipment, and checking patient vital signs. CNAs give patients important social and emotional support and also provide vital information on patient conditions to nurses.
National Nursing Assistants' Week is a time to recognize and honor nursing assistants for their important role and commitment to safe patient care and I join you in honoring this group of medical professionals.
Sincerely,
Kay R. Hagan
Actress Jane Fonda
"I have had many experiences over the years with certified nursing assistants and all I can say is a big ‘Thank You!!! I know you are overworked and underpaid yet you do so much for so many, filling in where, too often, nurses and doctors leave off. What would this country be without our CNAs? A big Bravo and thanks to you." Love, Jane Fonda
Author Anne Rice
“CNAs have played a large role in my life because of my own Type One Diabetes and because of the illnesses of others in my family. I cannot tell you how much I admire them and the compassion they show for those under their care. We need CNAs desperately. We need their gentleness, their commitment to quality care and their patience and stamina. I hope our country invests vigorously in education for CNAs. Thank you, Anne Rice”
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!
It Takes Heart to Work in Nursing
Coretta Lynn Watkins, CNA II
Fifteen year “veteran”, Coretta Lynn Watkins, was kind enough to share her thoughts about her career as a certified nursing assistant. Coretta is someone who has done it all: working in home health, assisted living, skilled nursing care and hospitals. Here is what she had to say:
When did you become a CNA?
In 1992, I moved from Illinois to North Carolina. ...
