Are you satisfied with your job?

         I am a professional caregiver with aspiration to become a nurse. I have just become a legal resident of the U.S.A. and soon will apply to college. In the meantime, I am very thankful for opportunity of being acknowledged with lifestyle of small assisted living community.
          When you get sick, you go to the doctor, and your medical bills are payed by the company you work for (maybe not always fully, but in most cases big part of it is paid for)- isn't it a great job benefit ? When you are hired by legal institution, you are given special instructions and rules to follow. You know what you are expected to do. Anytime you are not treated right, you are legally protected by law. There is many more legal and financial advantages of being hired by a small assisted living facility. But more rewarding than these is personal satisfaction with the job.
         One of the reasons which makes me like my job is having co-workers. There should always be someone you can talk to on subject about your job. If you are having a problem with something, you can find out the way other person does. Right before the shift, you are being handled information from previous employee, so when you start your job, you know what is the news. Many job-relationships develop into friend-relationships, what is a gift, which can sometimes last a lifetime. Very important co-worker skill is minimizing existing conflict or not creating it. If you keep peace and good relationships with everyone, you will be able to communicate well between each other, what makes everyone be more efficient at work.
          There is no better workplace than a family-oriented atmosphere at your job. When staff makes you feel like at home, you have trust to people around you. When someone shows you respect, you automatically give it back. You can be sure that everyone did their job, so you can just take over without solving problems of people on the shift before you. For that reason, appropriately picked staff is a priceless addition to any assisted living facility.
          Not only great atmosphere of the place but also great location and views can influence satisfaction from doing your job. The place where I work, is very close to downtown San Diego. The sun is here just about every day of the year so it is possible to keep a beautiful yard all the time. The place I work at is located at the top of the hill. The scenic downtown view of San Diego is visible on one side. The airport, and the San Diego Bay area are facing front of the building. The view is even more breathtaking during the night when the lights of the airport are lighted. The residency is located about five blocks to the Balboa Park and San Diego Zoo. Therefore, if you need a minute of peace with nature, you certainly in a good spot.
          One of my main responsibilities working as a certified nurse assistant is to wake up residents, dress them up and bring them to the dinning room table. It is just enjoyable to see their reaction when I enter their room to wake them up in the morning. Some of them are all ready to get up, and help me put the cloths on, while others just stare at me and ask " What is going on? What do you want from me?" Most of the residents living in place where I work, are diagnosed with Alzheimer Disease. It was very surprising to me to find out that, even though they have the same diagnosis, they still keep their personalities and behaviors. Everyone of them knows what is going on around them and always looking for affection. Sometimes they will not allow you to dress them up and try to protect themselves by hitting you and telling you to leave them alone, but in real they don't realize what they are doing. As a caregiver, I am responsible to let them know I am there to help them and make them feel good. You never know what to expect from them. One night they can be aggressive and will not allow you to touch them, while the other night they calmly go to the restroom just as you asked.
         When I bring residents to the dinning room and sit them by the table, I am proud of them. Even though, many of them are in the very late stage of the disease, they still fully live their lives. And that is what I learn from them through working in assisted living community - always, no matter what you go through in life, try enjoy every minute of it and take every experience as a life lesson.