Personal Narrative: My Clinical Experience In A Nursing Home

As I got out of my car and started walking to the front door, all I could do was admire this beautiful building that resembled a ranch-style home. When I walked through the front door, the smell of mashed potatoes, baked chicken breast, and wheat rolls filled my nose; it was as if I was walking into my own grandma’s house. In front of me there was a group of people; some in wheelchairs, some using walkers, and others on the couch shouting out answers to the latest crossword puzzles. Walking through these doors brought me to the realization that I was soon going to learn everything about each one of these people. This included how to specially care for and assist them with their everyday needs in this place that they call their home. I did not
She looked so normal, so how could she be so confused? She was probably nearing 90 years of age, so why is she looking for her mother? My head became overwhelmed with questions and utter disbelief that I had no experience dealing with people who were suffering this way. I was not prepared to have these conversations with grown people and I surely was not prepared for the emotional aspect of the job I had accepted. The clinical experiences that I had had were at a nursing home and that prepared me for the physical facet of the job, but that, I quickly realized, was the only condition that where I felt
I learned that no matter what, life is cruelly unfair. I took care of people who were only fifty, yet could no longer eat or speak. I learned that working as a team is important especially in healthcare, no one person should be expected to go it alone. There is so much to be learned from listening to fellow aides and workers; their understanding of the situations that I found myself in helped me learn and adapt my ways of care. I learned to be cautious and pay attention to details to slow down and to be patient. Most importantly I have learned to speak up and make sure that I am heard when I know that something should be changed for the betterment of those involved. I was always told if it does not seem right then it probably is not. The responsibility of someone’s life depends on the decisions that are made throughout the course of a healthcare professional’s day. I am thankful to have had a job that has taught me to stand up for what is right and to speak my mind in order to care for people to the best of my ability. Being a CNA has changed my life and I will never forget the experiences I had and values that I learned my first day, and even my entire first year, of being in the healthcare