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Working Short-Staffed AGAIN?! Oh, So We Just Playing Squid Games Today?

If you’ve ever walked into work already tired and heard, “We’re a little short-staffed today…” then you KNOW the struggle. 😤 Every CNA knows what it’s like to work a full 12-hour shift with HALF the staff—running up and down halls, answering call lights like we’re in a race, and praying for a break that…

Karen Ford
2–3 minutes
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A Black CNA standing in a huddle with other CNAs, looking exhausted before the shift even starts. In the background, a nurse and administrator are smiling like it’s no big deal. The CNA has a thought bubble that says, “Oh great, another Hunger Games shift.” The tone is funny but realistic.

The Morning Staff Meeting – When You Know You’re Doomed

The first clue that today is about to be hell? The staff meeting.

💬 “We’re a little short today, but we’ll make it work!” – Admin (who will sit in their office all day)
💬 “Just do what you can!” – Nurses (who won’t lift a finger to help)
💬 “It’s not that bad.” – A CNA who ain’t worked the floor in months

Nah, it IS that bad. Because being “a little short” really means we’re missing half the staff, and we’re about to do the work of three people.

A Black CNA running down the hallway, sweating, while every call light is flashing like a Christmas tree. In the background, a nurse is sitting at the desk on her phone, ignoring everything. The tone is exaggerated but true to life, capturing the stress of working short-staffed.

The Chaos Begins – Call Lights, Falls, & A Never-Ending To-Do List

Five minutes into the shift, and every call light is already on. 🚨

  • Room 201 needs to go to the bathroom… again. 🚽
  • Room 204 dropped their remote and “can’t live without it.” 📺
  • Room 207 just “wanted to see you.” 👀
  • Room 210 is on the floor. 😱

Meanwhile, where’s the nurse? Oh, that’s right, hiding at the nurse’s station “charting.

A Black CNA standing with her arms crossed, looking fed up. A nurse and an administrator are giving her a fake “motivational” speech about working harder with fewer staff. The CNA’s thought bubble says, “Y’all got me messed up.” The scene is funny but shows how ridiculous these speeches sound when you’re drowning in work.

The “Do More with Less” Speech – Like We’re Magicians

Short-staffed shifts always come with the same dumb speech from management:

💬 “Just prioritize!”
💬 “Work smarter, not harder!”
💬 “We’re all a team!”

Okay, so WHERE is this team y’all keep talking about?? 🤨

Let’s be real. “Prioritize” just means let call lights ring longer, and “work smarter” just means figure it out on your own.

The “Break” That Never Happens

Ah, breaks.

At some point, you think, “Maybe I can actually sit down for five minutes.” But then:

🚨 Room 302: “I need the bedpan NOW.”
🚨 Room 305: “Can I have some water?”
🚨 Room 311: “I forgot to tell you, I need my meds.”
🚨 Supervisor: “Can you just do one more thing?”

Sis, I JUST SAT DOWN.

A Black CNA sitting in the breakroom, looking happy for a split second before a coworker runs in yelling, “Hey, we need you!” The CNA is mid-bite into a sandwich, looking like she’s about to cry. The scene is funny but painfully relatable for CNAs who never get real breaks.

The End of the Shift – When You Look Like You Survived a War

After 12 hours of non-stop madness, you finally clock out…

  • Shirt is wrinkled.
  • Feet feel broken.
  • Mind is fried.
  • Did I even pee today??

And guess what? They’re short-staffed again tomorrow.

🚶🏾‍♀️💨 And this is why CNAs quit.

A Black CNA dragging herself out of the facility, looking like she barely survived. In the background, a coworker is yelling, “See you tomorrow!” while the CNA gives a side-eye. The scene is funny but true to life, capturing how CNAs leave shifts feeling completely drained.

CNAs DESERVE Better!

🔥 Have you ever worked a shift so short-staffed you felt like you were in Squid Games?
💬 Drop a comment & share your craziest short-staffed experience!
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