Q&A with a Certified Nursing Assistant

   It’s not too much to ask to be able to provide at least some care—to be a Q&A with a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is to provide individuals with dignity, compassion, and care at their lowest moment of need. Whether the hand that assists one in activities of daily living or the hand that holds hope and reassurance when comfort is the desired outcome, CNAs are members of the health care team.

   This Q&A with a Certified Nursing Assistant offers firsthand insights into their daily responsibilities, emotional challenges, and the meaningful relationships they form. Whether you’re considering a career in caregiving or want to better understand the person looking after your loved one, this blog sheds light on the rewarding world of CNAs.

     This Q&A  with a Certified Nursing Assistant will assist them in knowing what they are doing and how their care can turn the lives of so many.

     Hiramani Majhi is a 20-year-old certified nursing assistant hailing from Odisha. All clients that she has worked for have concurred that she is extremely sincere and compassionate.
Here are excerpts of an interview with her where she describes a typical day caring for a bedridden patient.

What inspired you to become a Certified Nursing Assistant?

  An interview in the form of a Q&A with a Certified Nursing Assistant begins by asking the individual what they felt was leading them to become such a practitioner. The vast majority of CNAs are inspired internally to help other people and have a definite, real-life impact on society as a whole.
       Others feel an individualized experience—a person within their household, a medical emergency themselves—in motivating them to such a line of work. Our guest CNA described how volunteering at a nursing home was an eye-opening experience for her about the importance of hands-on care and being present emotionally.

When did you join Life Circle?

I joined Life Circle in September 2016.

What kind of patients have you cared for? Where did you stay the longest?

 I have cared for two bedridden patients, one patient that required mobility assistance and a dementia patient undergoing chemotherapy. I spent 4-5 months caring for Mr. Baburao who was a frail and bedridden senior and passed away recently.

Tell me about a typical day caring for Mr Baburao.

Hiramani Majhi

 I used to wake up at 6 am, feed the patient through a Ryle’s tube and would go back to sleep until 8 am. My day would begin at 8 am.
      After getting ready, I would change the patient’s diaper, sponge him, change his clothes and the bed sheet, make him exercise and prepare for yet another feeding session.

 I would feed him liquid food (prepared by the patient’s family) through a Ryle’s tube every 2 hours. In addition to that, I had to wash the patient’s soiled clothes in the morning. It used to keep me very busy until 12-1 pm.

 The patient had many bedsores at the time I started to care for him. So, cleaning the area and applying medicated cream drastically improved his condition in a month’s time. Every 1-2 hours, I would also change his position.

I used to change the patient’s diapers as and when required.

 In the evenings, I would massage the patient’s hands and legs with coconut oil and repeat some exercises. A physiotherapist would visit the patient regularly. He had given me an exercise schedule to follow which I did religiously.

 My day was mostly packed with care activities but I used to take short breaks in between to watch TV or talk to my family over the phone.

 The patient’s last feed would be at 10 pm. I would then go to bed by 11-11.30pm.

 How did the patient’s family treat you?
 They were very good people and treated me with respect like just another family member. Also, I always got help from his family members (his sons). To feed the patient, I had to get him in the sitting position. I always needed help to lift the patient and someone was always there.

Do you like your job?

 I really value my job as a certified nursing assistant at Life Circle and I’m proud to support my family financially.

About the author

Madhumita

 Madhumita is a familial caregiver to her mother-in-law who lives with dementia and a full-time mom of a bubbly 3-year-old. She meets and interacts with Life Circle’s clients to understand various aspects of Geriatric care and care needs with the aim of serving our clients in a better way.