It is time for Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) to receive the recognition we deserve. With Florida facing a statewide shortage of health care workers, it’s time that CNAs were recognized not just as workers, but as professionals who care deeply and partners on the team that is making an impact on the care of our nursing center residents.
National Careers in Aging Week is the perfect time to check out the wide-ranging career opportunities in aging, including a career as a CNA in a long-term care center. I have been a CNA for twenty-nine years. I have had such an enjoyable and successful career in this role that my daughter recently started her career as a CNA too. CNA jobs in long-term care facilities are the best-kept secret, but it is time we share it.
My residents have become an extension of my family. It makes it easy for me to give 110% at work when the residents I care for also care for me. You will never find another job where you can come into work and see a room full of smiling faces just because you showed up.
When residents do not have family nearby, my fellow CNA colleagues and I are always there to celebrate with them during holidays, special occasions and every day in between. Holidays are my favorite days because we ensure the residents feel extra special and we can see the excitement and joy on their faces.
If you are interested in becoming a CNA, I recommend that you shadow a CNA at a long-term care facility. You can also find training resources and job openings across the state on the CaregiversFL Career Program website. By signing up for free, your profile will be viewed by hundreds of long-term care centers looking to hire and train right now. Pursuing a career in long-term health care can help you make a difference in the lives of others and lead you on the path to climbing the career ladder.
Working as a CNA allows the flexibility to train various skill sets that you can transition to any career while you develop friendships that last a lifetime. If I have been able to successfully move up in my career while raising two young children, you can do it too.
We started to feel the shortage of health care workers during the pandemic, and that shortage continues today. The demand for professionals with expertise in long term care is growing. No one will be available to fill in for me if I do not show up. We are working hard to address our workforce shortages, but there is still work to do. I hope our community continues to encourage more individuals to pursue a career in long term care. Being a CNA takes compassion and understanding, but those talents are exactly what make this career so rewarding and meaningful. Become a CNA and find your purpose.