Why Do You Want to be a Caregiver or CNA?
Written by:
Jeffrey Grossman
Published:
January 11, 2021
Applying for a caregiver position with the right company means a healthy work environment and competitive pay. Were you born with a natural instinct to help others? Are you compassionate, dedicated, caring, and looking at employment opportunities in Charlottesville, VA?
Becoming a certified nursing assistant (CNA) and helping elderly adults that need support may be a great way to use your skills in a fulfilling job as a caregiver.Patients rely on caregivers for assistance with everyday tasks from self-care to help with their food preparation and even pet care. Caregivers are also caring companions that keep their patients’ company.Keep reading to find out more about CNA caregiver jobs and careers in Charlottesville, VA.
Why Do You Want to Be a Caregiver or CNA?
Are you drawn to helping others? Can you picture yourself making a difference in other people's lives?Do you have a strong desire to assist the elderly community with everyday tasks while giving them a feeling of independence? If you can answer “Yes” to these questions, you may fit the CNA or caregiver job description.Even if you don’t have previous formal experience being a caregiver, you may have plenty of beneficial everyday experience to use on the job. Patients may hire a caregiver service to assist them with basic tasks as they age, battle an illness, or recover from surgery.A caregiving job is more than a paycheck. As a caregiver or CNA, you give families a break from caring for their family members who need extra help.Caregivers experience satisfaction from helping patients who are elderly, immobile, or otherwise unable to help themselves. A caregiver's life is enriched by serving others and improving their quality of life.But caregiving isn’t the best job for everyone. If you take this job, you need to be dedicated to all of the ins and outs that it encompasses. Being part of something bigger than yourself can be life-changing, but it shouldn’t be mistaken for a nonchalant "job."
Caregiver vs. CNA
The differences between being a caregiver and a CNA are often misunderstood. While both jobs perform many of the same tasks, there are a few major differences.
Caregiver Requirements
A caregiver position can be a great starting point for those who don’t have time to go through schooling or those newly entering the profession.Check with your state for requirements and individual employers, as they could have different caregiver standards. Some companies offer in-house training, while others require you to obtain off-site training before being hired.
CNA Requirements
CNA certification course requirements vary from state to state, but most states require a minimum of 75-100 hours of training, with most CNA courses lasting 4-16 weeks. And though they don’t require a college degree, a CNA certification does require that you hold a high school diploma or GED. Possessing a CNA certification versus being a caregiver gives you more qualifications to apply for different CNA caregiver jobs. As a result, CNAs often make more money than caregivers.Both CNA and caregiver jobs require the same care and dedication to the work so that you can provide premium, high-quality care.
What It Takes to Be a Great Caregiver or CNA
What characteristics does a caregiver or CNA usually possess? Are most employment opportunities in Charlottesville, VA not as appealing to you as being a caregiver? Here are some of the most important qualities of a caregiver as you think about starting this profession:
Physical strength
Emotional intelligence
Patience
Dedication and commitment
Cleanliness
Compassion & empathy
General knowledge of dementia
Responsible
Do these requirements sound like something that describes you?Even if you don’t have all these qualities, possessing some of them could make you a good fit as a CNA or caregiver to the elderly.
CNA and Caregiver Job Description
Your job as a CNA or caregiver may vary depending on individual clients and their specific needs. The jobs can also vary from employer to employer.As a caregiver, you will most likely help patients with basic care needs. Here are some common daily tasks involved in a caregiver job description:
Making meals
Eating assistance
Cleaning
Helping with bathing, grooming, and dressing
Helping with in-home movement
Transportation (i.e., to and from doctor's appointments, to the grocery store, etc.)
If you’re a CNA, your tasks will slightly differ. In addition to performing the duties listed above, a CNA job description may also include:
Taking temperature
Checking blood pressure
Monitoring sugar levels and vital signs
Wound care
Why the Right Employer Makes All the Difference
You can be the best caregiver or CNA in the world, but if you aren't working for the right company, you may not be in love with your job. Caregivers report that pay varies greatly, and it often doesn’t reflect in an honest way how much is put into the job emotionally, mentally, and physically.Low pay is a significant reason why some home care services are low-quality. If a home care company doesn’t value its caregivers, caregivers won’t value the hard work every day.Are you searching the web for "High paying caregiver jobs near me" or “VA caregiver pay”? Commonwise Home Care in Charlottesville, VA understands that caregivers often don’t receive the training, pay, or respect they deserve. That’s why we’re committed to holding a higher standard when it comes to caregiver pay. We pay our caregivers as much as we can, with the most competitive salaries of any in-home care service.
Apply for a Rewarding Charlottesville Caregiver Career
Being a caregiver isn’t easy, but it can be an enriching career path. Whether you have an official CNA certification or just starting a caregiving career, there are many benefits to this profession.The best way to ensure that you are thriving in this career is to work for a high-quality in-home care company. They will make sure you have adequate training, help when you need it, and are appropriately compensated.If you want to be appreciated by your employer for your work, explore Commonwise Home Care for Charlottesville jobs in the elder care industry. We have many employment opportunities in Charlottesville, VA available for people just like you. Read more about our at home care services or call our Care Team today at 434.202.8565.