The Calm Before the Storm

Karen walked into work with the same attitude she always had: prepared for a day full of chaos. Normally, it was the same routine — short-staffed shifts, one CNA running three halls, and everybody praying the nurse would at least help pass trays. But today was different.

For once, the schedule was actually fully staffed. Every CNA on the roster had shown up. Karen even had a moment of peace as she thought, “This might be the easiest shift I ever had.”

But the peace didn’t last long.

The Big Problem: No Supplies

As Karen headed toward the stock closet to grab her linen and wipes, she noticed something unusual. The door was locked. At first, she thought nothing of it. Maybe someone forgot to prop it open. But then the charge nurse strutted by with a smirk and jingled the keys like it was a game show prize.

“No diapers, no wipes, no linen until we say so,” the nurse announced.

Karen froze. “Wait, so y’all got us fully staffed… but NO supplies?”

The other CNAs just stared, their arms folded and faces twisted. Some were already whispering about grabbing old sheets off the laundry cart. Others were plotting how to “borrow” from another hall.

Karen muttered under her breath, “Fully staffed, but fighting for supplies like it’s Black Friday. Nursing home always gotta keep the ghetto Olympics going.”

The Breakroom Rumors

By lunchtime, the rumors were flying. Some said the nurses were hiding supplies to “teach the CNAs a lesson.” Others swore the administrator cut corners again, trying to save money. Karen just shook her head — she knew it was all politics, and somehow, the CNAs were always the ones caught in the middle.

But nothing could prepare her for the afternoon rounds…

The Twist: A Resident Speaks Out

While Karen was changing one of her regulars, Ms. Johnson — the resident who never missed a beat — suddenly said:

“Baby, y’all in here fussin’ over diapers, but when I was your age, we used cloths. Just rinse ’em out and hang ’em up. Ain’t no excuse.”

Karen nearly dropped the bedpan. “Ms. Johnson, with all due respect, this ain’t Little House on the Prairie. This is 2025. I’m not rinsing nobody’s booty rag.”

The whole room erupted in laughter, but Karen knew she wasn’t lying. This was the kind of mess that only happened in a nursing home.

The Ending

By the end of the shift, the CNAs had “borrowed” enough supplies from every corner of the building to get by. But the lesson was clear: even on a fully staffed day, the chaos never really ends.

And Karen swore to herself — next time, she was bringing her own pack of wipes.

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