The Benefits Of A Support Group For CNAs

No man is an island as the saying goes. As you will discover from completing a CNA training class, the certification exam and beginning work as a certified nursing assistant (CNA), being a CNA may be fulfilling work but it is also challenging and you will need all the support you can get to help you successfully work and thrive as a CNA. Like many other jobs, working as a nursing assistant can have days when you feel frustrated and overly stressed and ready to call it quits.
Having a support system is one of the great ways to help you deal with and manage the stress and frustration that comes with the job. While your friends and family may be supportive, only people who face what you deal with on a daily basis can truly understand what you are going through and offer the support you need.

The Challenges of Being A CNA

Some of the challenges of being a nursing aide may be covered in a CNA training class and include but are not limited to;

• Understaffed care facilities
• Too much to do, too little time
• Dealing with various patients as well as dealing with patient abuse in some cases
• Problems with other staff members
• Dealing with patient death
• Feeling that the pay is not commensurate with the duties required
• Finding time to take care of yourself while taking care of others, etc.

All these challenges can take a toll on anyone and this can lead to burnout and no longer finding any joy or sense of fulfillment from being a CNA. The challenges can drain you both mentally as well as physically.

A Support Group Can Be a Great Help

When you face these various challenges on the job, not knowing where to turn to or who to talk to about what you’re facing can be tough which is were a support group comes in to the rescue. A good support group will help you “vent” with like minded people who know what you are struggling with and can offer not only support but suggestions on how to deal with the various challenges you will encounter on the job. A support group can also be a medium to share not only your challenges on the job but also the successes you have.
If there are no support groups for nursing assistants in your area, simply create one. If you are struggling on the job, you can be certain that there are others just like you who are struggling and are looking for a solution or simply support. Simply put up a flier at your workplace for those who are interested in starting a support group for nursing assistants to come to a meeting. Although you should discuss the reasons for wanting to start this group with the HR department at your workplace before putting up this flier, most employers will support this initiative.
For the group to be a success, you need to establish ground rules so that the meetings do not simply become a venue to complain with the attendants leaving the same way that they came. While letting out the various frustrations of the job may be cathartic, being able to generate solutions to make the job more manageable will make the support group more beneficial to the nursing assistants who attend.
Determine where and how often you shall meet. If the members of the support group all work at the same facility, you can meet in a conference room or one of the rooms at the facility. If the members are from various facilities you can choose a central location or rotate the meeting place from one facility to the next. Many libraries or churches frequently allow various groups to meet. The support group can meet monthly, weekly, etc. You can create an agenda for each meeting or simply allow members to discuss what is on their minds while ensuring the control is still maintained.

Online Support Groups For Nursing Assistants

The popularity of support groups for nursing assistants keeps increasing daily. From discussing the challenges of a CNA training class, the certification exam, to the challenges on the job, these online support groups provide the support needed. One can visit the online discussion groups anytime without needing a location or time to meet and they cover a multitude of topics, more than you can ever think or imagine.
You can pick whatever topic and discussion group interests you and not waste time with topics or groups that do not interest you. You will get to discuss issues with nursing assistants from all over the country and world working at various types of facilities. This will help you to find various solutions for the struggles that you encounter on the job. You can also post questions and ask for advice.
Job related stress is especially damaging on one’s health and having a support group to help you deal with stress and other job related struggles will help you navigate the turbulent waters of being a CNA. Support groups will also help you deal with various aspects of being a CNA such as a CNA training class, the certification exam, etc, and help you with finding solutions for your problems. It is also a great, supportive environment to share your successes on the job.