“CNA stands for “certified nursing assistant,” an entry-level role that provides vital support to both patients and nurses. From transporting, bathing, and feeding hospital patients to stocking medical supplies and logging patient information, CNAs are on the ground working to enhance patient outcomes.”
BUT IT IS DEEPER THAN JUST A JOB
When I became a CNA, I thought I was stepping into a job — something to earn experience before medical school. What I didn’t expect was how much it would change the way I think about people, pain, and what it actually means to care.
I’ve helped patients bathe, cleaned up messes, lifted bodies that couldn’t lift themselves. But the hardest — and most important — part has never been physical. It’s the emotional weight: the family member who cries in the hallway. The patient who won’t eat because they’ve given up. The patient who’s embarrassed to ask for help with the bathroom. The moment you realize that someone’s pain isn’t just physical — it’s invisible and complicated.
Being a CNA taught me that care isn’t always about fixing. Sometimes, it’s just about being present. Sitting with someone who’s scared. Talking slowly with someone who can’t hear well. Taking an extra minute even when you’re behind.
I’ve also seen how race, class, language, and age all affect the way people are treated in the healthcare system. It’s made me more aware — and more committed — to becoming the kind of doctor who sees patients as people first.
This job has shown me the kind of care I want to give in the future — not just informed by science, but grounded in humility, empathy, and respect.
“We Take Care of Our Own”
The idea of nursing homes is something the people from my mother country, Myanmar, do not approve of.The society of Myanmar is based on collectivism. They prioritized togetherness—family. Elders are cared for at home by family. That’s our duty, our responsibility, and a reflection of filial piety—a core value in our culture. So when someone sends their parents to a nursing home, it can be seen as disrespectful or even shameful, as if they’ve failed in their role as a son or daughter.
Between Love and Hustle
But working as a CNA in the United States has helped me see things differently. In Western society, where hustle culture is deeply rooted, people are often working long hours or juggling multiple jobs. Time and energy become limited. In this context, nursing homes aren’t always a sign of neglect—they can be a way to ensure that loved ones receive consistent, professional care when families cannot be there every moment. There are pros and cons. Families may not be physically present every day, but many still visit, still love, and still care deeply.
Caring for Strangers, Loving Like Family
Being a CNA helped me understand that both perspectives are valid. I still hope that one day, I can personally care for my parents when they grow old. But even if I can’t, I now understand that love and devotion can take many forms. I may not have been able to care for my parents yet—but I was able to care for someone’s parent, someone’s grandparent, someone’s family. And that means everything to me. I’m proud and grateful to have been part of someone’s most vulnerable moments—and to have offered compassion when it was needed most.
In a way, I became the kind of caregiver I once thought only families could be.
Beyond Books: Where Life Teaches More 
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