Counseling for Nursing Assistants

Counseling for Nursing AssistantsThe day to day activities of a Nursing Assistantcan be rewarding and draining. Most of us onlyknow that they offer assistance with feeding,dressing, and bathing patients. However, they doso much more. They develop ongoing relationshipswith the patients as they have more one on one timewith them than any other medical staff. They alsoprovide comfort to the patient and their family.They do all they can from reading to them, helpingthem write letters, and holding their hand as theymove from life to death.

Experiencing the negative activities that occurin the Nursing Assistant profession can reallytake a toll on an individual. It is especiallyhard when someone they have been caring for takesa turn for the work, becomes terminally ill, ordies. They still have to go on with their otherpatients, but they can be left feeling empty andat a loss.Many medical facilities are aware of this issue.With being compassionate comes true feelings offriendship and loss. Counseling is a good way tohelp Nursing Assistants deal with the events thattake place in the working environment. Thiscounseling can be conducted through the employeror at the expense of the Nursing Assistant froman outside resource.Counseling services offered on site to NursingAssistants is generally offered free of charge,as long as the information being discussed is workrelated. The employer may have several paid

counselors that only provide services toemployees. Others use their counselors to provideservices to their employees, patients, and thefamily and friends of patients. You will need tolook into how it is set up at your place ofemployment for specific details.These counseling sessions can be ongoing or setup only when a Nursing Assistant feels the needto do so. It is important to understand that theinformation you discuss with the counselor atyour worksite will not be shared with youremployer. Too often, Nursing Assistants avoidthis type of support and help because they areafraid their boss is going to get a transcript ofthe entire session. All counseling sessions areheld in strict confidentiality. They only timeanything is reported is if the counselor feels youare in danger of hurting yourself or others.Since counseling is important in the medicalprofession, you may be able to encourage

administration at your place of employment to setup services for employees. While they may arguethat it is costly and not in the budget, beprepared to discuss the benefits to the overalleffectiveness of the staff. Employees with goodmental health will do a better job. They will alsochoose to continue employment longer than staffthat needs counseling but does not receive it.If your employer does not offer counselingservices, it is important that you look into anoutside resource for such services. The NursingAssistant field can be draining and emotional. Akey to staying on top of the game is to take careof yourself. This means both on a physical andemotional level. In reality, you aren 抰 going tobe effectively caring for patients if you haven抰 been taking care of your own needs. Counselingservices can be expensive, but most healthinsurance plans cover them. If yours doesn 抰 oryou don 抰 have health insurance, check in yourarea for discount programs and sliding scale

fees.Counseling services for Nursing Assistants is avital key to staying compassionate and interestedin your work. If you let the dark side of theprofession consume you, then you will no longerbe contributing to the well being of the patientsyou care for. Being a Nursing Assistant is a greatopportunity to care for others and give somethingof yourself to society. However, it can 抰 bestressed enough that you must take theopportunity and time to properly meet your ownneeds. This is one of the biggest reasons so manypeople in the medical field suffer from burnout.They simply do not take their own needs intoconsideration at the level they should.PPPPPWord Count 690