Assistant nurses must be properly evaluated

In the medical field, one group has long been overlooked in the spotlight given to doctors and nurses: Certified Nursing Assistants, or CNAs.

These are direct care workers, jobs that involve the physical and mental labor of providing medical care, often caring for up to 22 patients at a time and responsible for feeding, bathing, dressing, changing and positioning them, as well as communicating, comforting and protecting them.

CNAs are the ones “on the ground” who don’t walk away when families are venting their grief and anger at a system that can only provide insurance paperwork, medication updates, and obscure acronyms.

They are not saints or heroes, but men, women and non-binary individuals from all walks of life who are doing the practical work of caregiving.

The disparity between the demands of nurses’ work and the compensation they receive is stark. Despite the physically and mentally taxing responsibilities they handle, nurses’ pay pales in comparison to other professions. Nurses work hard on the front lines of care, often for the same wage as washing a dish. While many doctors and administrative staff worked from the safety of their homes, nurses risked their health and well-being to go to work during the pandemic.

According to PHI, a leading advocacy group for direct care workers, more than 4.8 million direct care workers provided assistance to millions of people in 2022, but despite this critical role within the health care system, the median hourly wage for direct care workers was just $15.43. As a result, 39% of direct care workers live in or near poverty, and 46% rely on public assistance programs to cover living expenses.

They often work in poor conditions, without trade union representation to advocate for their rights and wellbeing.

If we do not begin to compensate direct care workers commensurate with their importance, the lack of support (indeed, contempt) for the “unglamorous” direct care jobs by a health care system dedicated to extending life beyond meaning and dignity will ultimately destroy our long-term care system. We cannot afford to continue to neglect a role that is becoming increasingly important as our population ages and the demand for care increases.

As a society, we must commit to supporting and empowering direct care workers. We must fight for fair wages, better working conditions, and access to essential resources. We must provide workers with the tools to do their jobs safely and properly. As a community, we must stand up to fight for economic recognition, professional respect, and meaningful CNA staffing standards that truly honor the valuable role direct care workers play in caring for our loved ones.

We all need to heed the call to action and come together to support this multi-billion dollar industry. Let’s stand with CNAs, amplify their voices, and work to create a future where direct care workers are valued, supported, and celebrated for the valuable professional contributions they bring to the health care system. The well-being of our society depends on it.

Copy story link

” previous