I have been an Aide for the past three and a half years. Personally, I enjoy caring for people. Being caring is a gift from the heart. I have enjoyed my job for the most part. The nursing home I worked at had a fun working environment, and that made my work even more appealing.
However, my fiance and I had to relocate to another city, and sadly, I left my job. I'm now working at another nursing home in a new city and unfortunately their level of care overall is a bit below my expectations. Whereas I'm used to a lower ratio of aide to patient, this one has a higher ratio and that means less personal one on one care, it seems a bit disorganised, half the time, supplies are missing, the laundry does not supply much needed linen on time and and sadly its sanitory standard are below par (in my opinion).
I've found myself re-evaluating my profession. If I can't participate in my profession, giving the best care I can, in a good, clean, sanitory environment, I would rather not participate at all. I love caring for people but I also hate seeing people suffer knowing I cannot do anything to better their pain.
So, I guess in the course of my aide career, I have realised that there are good nursing homes willing to make sure their patients are taken care of, and there are those that want to make money but spend less on amenities needed to care for their patients.
I still believe aides are of great value to the nursing profession. Hats off to all Aides!!
For support, chatting etc., got to
http://www.NursingAssistantCentral.com