Selfish me

I work as a CNA in a nursing home. Today was a long day. It was my 4th day in a row, I was tired, crabby, mad because I didn't get the 4th off and no one would work for me next Friday. I hated my life and my job today. I didn't feel like I was very compassionate today. It also was my 4th day of having the same group of residents. I generally like all the residents, but when it is the same ones every night, I get a little burnt.

Well, we have a newer resident who isn't doing the greatest. We have to turn her every couple of hours and try to keep her comfortable. When I had just a little more than an hour left of my shift, I went into her room and saw how sweaty she was. She hadn't been bathed in days (because the other aides on day shift slacked off), and she had a sweaty odor to her. So, I decided she needed a bed bath. I bathed her and lotioned her up. The wash rag was brown just from washing her back. I felt so horrible for this person who couldn't talk, eat, or get out of bed. In the several days she had been there, I was the only one who took the time to try to make her feel better by getting cleaned up and refreshed. It really made me think about how residents in the nursing home feel about being cared for. We all go and do our jobs, but no one went above and beyond their job duties to help this resident. I found God today. When I was washing this resident's back, she groaned and moaned. I was afraid that she was uncomfortable, then realized she was groaning because it felt so good to be cleaned and rubbed down. It didn't matter that my shift was almost over; that I had a long day and weekend; that I had other residents that needed help. All that mattered was making that resident the most comfortable I could and realizing how selfish I was being. While I may think I have it bad, someone always is worse off.