SCRUBS, CNAs & CAREGIVERS
The TV Cast of Scrubs 2001-2010
Scrubs are the preferred uniform of the Medical Profession. From Surgeons to Interns to CNAs, people employed in some aspect of the Medical Field wear them. Although you may often find a Caregiver dressed in Scrubs.
CNA is the abbreviation for Certified Nursing Assistant. In order to avoid confusion, please be advised that although “nursing” is in the title, a CNA has NO nursing qualifications. And there are no federal guidelines for becoming a CNA; therefore, different states require different amounts of training in order to receive a certificate of completion.
In this State, a CNA must complete 100 hours of classroom training and 20 hours of hands-on training. All training is completed within 6-10 weeks depending upon the program’s curriculum. A State approved 70 question exam is mandated before passing the course—60 of the questions being multiple choice.
A “CNA” should not be confused with a “PCA.” A PCA is a Personal Care Assistant and requires much less training. Although one may wonder how little training that actually is.
CNA’s wear Scrubs and there are several CNAs working and providing assistance for the elderly in this Senior Living Complex.
Personally, I have been wearing Scrubs since High School although I have never worked in the Medical Profession. One year, I wanted to dress as a Doctor for Halloween. My Aunt worked in a hospital at the time and brought home a pair of official Scrubs for my costume.
In college, I wore Scrubs instead of sweats, because I found them extremely comfortable. On campus, there were many aspiring Medical students and so I wasn’t the only coed adorning the uncomplicated attire.
After graduation, I moved to California carefully packing my most comfortable outfit. I have managed to remain the same size since High School and so the Scrubs still fit perfectly. They were however becoming very worn after years of use. And so, I went to a Uniform Supply Shop and purchased another pair. This time, the scrubs were my favorite color purple. I didn’t wear them as often as I had in college, but they were still my “go to” stay at home alone lounge wear.
Not surprisingly, I threw them in my Suitcase along with my favorite jeans when I came back East. Since I wasn’t originally prepared to be here as long as I have been here, most of my clothes are still in California.
My Mother has a CNA who comes twice a week for 3 hours. She assists my Mom in taking a shower, making her bed, doing her laundry, and helping her with her grooming. My Mother doesn’t really need her assistance in all those areas, but I find it helpful. Twice a week, I don’t have to make my Mom’s bed or do the laundry and that provides me a much-needed break. I think my Mother just likes having someone else to “boss around.”
One day, my Mother’s CNA arrived to find me dressed in my purple scrubs.
She looked at me and said, “Did I wake you?”
I had showered and dressed in preparation for her arrival and so I simply said, “No.”
Mind you, this CNA arrives twice a week dressed in Scrubs. And she has a variety of Scrubs in solid colors, and in festive prints. She wears her Scrubs outside and I imagine around her house so why she thought I wore mine as pajamas, I don’t know. I guess she feels that it is only acceptable to wear Scrubs as a Medical uniform. Whatever.
While doing my laundry or wondering around the premises, I encounter a multitude of CNAs wearing Scrubs and I seem to fit right in. As a few of my Caregiving responsibilities are the same as those of a CNA, I feel it only fair that I be dressed appropriately.
Although I much preferred my life when Scrubs were an emergency Halloween costume.
What has my world come to?
One day, Jenny phoned offering me a momentary escape from Caregiving. I explained that I wasn’t dressed and would need some time before “escaping.”
She exclaimed, “Oh, just put on your little CNA outfit and come on down!”
TLC – “NO SCRUBS”
“A CAREGIVER’S CONSCIENCE” -THE BLOG
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