Reading Skills for Healthcare Workers

Nurse assistants help provide health care for people who cannot always take care of their own needs. Helping others and connecting socially with patients provide job satisfaction for many nurse assistants.

​

There are many challenges to being a nurse assistant too. Patients may not always be happy to have others help them with their daily needs. They may be abusive towards the nurse assistant. They may be disrespectful, speak rudely, or even try to spit on or hit the nurse assistant. Family members may not always be kind either, perhaps because they are not happy with the treatment that the family member is receiving. It is a good idea to withdraw from such situations, giving the patient or the family member a few minutes to cool down before trying to deal with the matter. If the situation becomes worse, ask for help from a coworker or supervisor.

​

Nurse assistants are sometimes treated with disrespect from their own coworkers, especially those in higher positions. Nurse assistants must follow instructions from nurses and supervisors on a daily basis, causing some nurses and supervisors to act in a condescending way toward nurse assistants. If a coworker acts rudely toward you, talk to him or her privately about the issue. Don’t let the stress of the job affect your job performance. If you do your job well, hopefully others will notice and respect you for it.

​

Contributing to a positive work environment can sometimes be difficult in a high-pressure job like a nurse assistant. It is important to not become angry or upset when negative experiences happen on the job. Be sure to spend some time with family and friends when you are not working, and take time to pursue a relaxing hobby or two. Enjoying your free time will help you to deal with challenges and stressful situations at work.