Disadvantages of STNA – The high turnover rate

STNA is not just another job that you would like to take up. The nature of the job demands compassion and dedication. STNA is for someone who has a poised personality and could handle stress in an excellent way. If you don’t identify with such personality type don’t think of taking up STNA as a profession. This is unlike any other job where in case you don’t do well, your appraisals would get effected or you might face incentive cuts.

Being a STNA and not doing your job well could simply risk a patient’s life. One has to be very careful while opting for a job like STNA. The major reason why people choose it and then later realize that it’s not their cup of tea is because of the short duration and low investment factor of the STNA training course.

Most of the students find the short duration a tempting resort to start to earn pocket money. They don’t really research much about the role & responsibilities before jumping into it. What they see as the duties of a STNA is just the tip of the iceberg; it defiantly is not a pocket money earning kind of a job. Hence, STNA profession faces a high turnover rate.

Like everything else, being a STNA has its own downsides. These should be considered while choosing it as a profession.
1.    The role and responsibilities evolved in the STNA’s duties require lot of passions and compassion. Along with that there is a great deal of responsibilities that comes with it. The STNA is a person who is around the patient most of the time, it is indispensable for the patient to progress without STNA’s assistance and care however the doctor and the nurses get all the credit. To the extent that their dedication and efforts are taken for granted and are ignored. It is human to expect some appreciation and respect in your work. Despite being compassionate and dedicated lack of respect & appreciation in being a STNA discourages people to continue with the job.
2.    The sheer reason why a person works is to earn a living. People take up this profession primarily getting attracted to the low investment factor in the STNA training course. They expect earnings from this profession like any other. However, the kind of dedication and handwork this profession demands doesn’t seem to match the remuneration they get being a STNA. So people get frustrated as, despite the work they put in they don’t get remunerated accordingly. The responsibility & accountability that comes with the role is also a factor that contributes to discontinue as a STNA.
3.    The stress level at medical vicinity could simply be understood by the fact that we are talking about saving human life. Stresses around taking care of the patient and not getting frustrated even if the patient’s behavior is bad towards you, you are trained to overlook the arrogance and attitude. Sometimes, the medication makes the patients react rudely. STNA are also human at the end of the day, their stress levels are expected to rise. In an extreme situation like such, a STNA is expected to be poised few can’t sustain it and discontinue the job.
4.    Others find it difficult to combat at the emotional strings associated with the medical conditions of certain patience. Facing deaths and other emotional turmoil’s of the patient or their relative could be difficult for some people to witness on daily basis. Despite being compassionate & dedicated they get into depression. This is another downside of being a STNA.

The day isn’t complete without the night. The black isn’t complete without the white. STNA is a very noble profession but unfortunately the job of a STNA has its own disadvantages. Knowing the downside of being a STNA is important before investing time & energy into it.