• MEMBERSHIP

Being a Member of the National Network for Career Nursing Assistants
is an important part of your career growth
A professional organization for nursing assistants since 1977

Especially for: Nursing Assistants and nursing assistant related groups,
organizations, educators, researchers, publishers and
those who support and endorse the work of the Career Nursing Assistant in long term care.

Because they remain in caregiving positions, Career Nursing Assistants provide predictability and stability to care, which in turn enhances the feeling of security for our aging, frail or chronically challenged population. Career Nursing Assistants also bring wisdom, patience, humor and a general attitude of caring to the daily lives of residents.

• OUR MISSION

OUR MISSION
We believe that the residents in nursing homes and other long-term care settings deserve courteous and appropriate care and a quality of life within the health care system.

We further believe that the nursing assistant who provides 90% of this direct-care deserves realistic assignments, appropriate training and supervision, adequate compensation and benefits, career advancement opportunities, recognition of effort, and a work environment that provides the support and supplies needed in order to perform tasks of care.

We will create a National Voice by, for and with nursing assistants and other direct care givers through programs of career development, recognition, education, research, networking and coalition building, peer support and advocacy for all nursing assistants in nursing homes, home care, and other long term care settings. The Nursing Assistant Initiatives 1990. (2000 Revised)

MY PERSONAL COMMITTEMENT AND PLEDGE

As a Career Nursing Assistant, I am committed to a career in health care, and will…
• Seek out new information and training that will enable me to provide this care
•Apply high moral and ethical values to my daily tasks of care
•Display a kind sense-of-`humor
•Demonstrates consistency by remaining in the health care setting over an extended period of time
•Demonstrates good work habits and carry out daily tasks of care in a conscientious manner
•Apply myself to the task at hand and with attention to Residents' Rights and safety
•Take the initiative to serve on care-planning committees, safety committee, local nursing assistant related organizations or other groups.
•Be an effective team member, support and and encourage my peers
•Help others to grow in positive ways as I foster my own career growth

As a Career Nursing Assistant, I will work in the best interest of the people in my care, my peers,
my supervisors, my employer, my professional organization, myself, and my career, by upholding
these commitmens.
Date________________________
Signature_________________________________________________________________________
Facility___________________________________________________________________________
City _________________________________________St____________________Zip_______________

______________________                            Date_______________________

National Network of Career Nursing Assistants
Retain one copy for your records. Return signed copy to :National Network of Career Nursing Assistants
3577 Easton Road, Norton, Ohio 44203-5661

• go to printable html version of this pledge

• download acrobat pdf version of this pledge

• IMPERATIVES FOR ACTION, THE "NA TO DO" LIST 2000

The Imperatives are the "to do" list developed by nursing assistants for nursing assistants. They are a series of statements about what we believe is possible and some ways we will do this. They provide direction for our joint efforts. The Imperatives were created through the seven National Forums (1994-2000), focus groups, questionnaires and e-mail with nursing assistants nationwide.

The Imperatives for Action 2001
1. To create a National Voice for Nursing Assistants
2. To promote career development with ethical foundation for nursing assistants
3. To expand the network of connections among and between nursing assistants and others in a variety of settings
4. To foster peer group development
5. To develop resources for the advancement of nursing assistants

To view additional details about the Imperatives click here.

The National Network of Career Nursing Assistants
National Leadership Council
3577 Easton Road, Norton, Ohio 44203
[email protected]

• MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

Benefits and Opportunities for Members

• A professional connection with NAs and related groups, organizations, publishers, researchers and educators nationwide
• Pin and Certificate available
• Local Chapter development and National Chapters for Male Nursing Assistants and NAs for Kids
• National Nursing Assistants' Week and Career Nursing Assistants' Day materials
• National Twenty Year Club and Annual "Most Service Years" Award
• National Leadership Council
• Nursing Assistant Authors' Program
• Annual National Forum on Nursing Assistants
• Discounts on educational materials and workshops
• Opportunities to participate in responder panels, review or planning committees, and others
• Newsletter, web site access, message boards, Listserves, and other

Career Nurse Assistants' Programs, Inc., Norton, Ohio, is founder and sponsor of the annual nationwide observance of Nursing Assistants' Week and Career Nursing Assistants' Day since 1977. CNAP is a non-profit, tax-exempt educational organization providing membership, education, research, networking and recognition programs for nursing assistants.

• NNCNA Online Membership Application

• "THE SAVVY NURSING ASSISTANT USES CARESENSE"

Especially for: Nursing Assistants, Caregivers, Care Assistants, Home Care Aides, Geriatric Aides/Assistants, Resident Assistants, Restorative Aides, Health Care Assistants, Child Care Assistants, and other direct care providers in Nursing Homes, In-Home Care, Hospice and other Long Term Care Settings

By submitting your good ideas and experiences, you can:
- Become a published author and see your good ideas in print
- Share your wisdom and ideas for improving care and enhancing your career as a nursing assistant
- Help others to gain a better understanding of the important role of the nursing assistant
- Receive a complimentary copy of "TIPS 8

The question is: "What does it mean to use common sense as well as skills in caring?

How do you use common sense when performing daily tasks of care? Just tell us about a situation in which you had to use your good common sense as well as your skills to make things better for a specific resident.

Each day, the NA is called upon to deal with people who present a myriad of personalities, habits and preferences as well as physical care needs. The Savvy Nursing Assistant knows that simply performing a procedure correctly does not ensure the desired results. As an example, the procedure for providing fluid intake is fairly simple and straightforward. However, adapting this procedure to a resident who is disoriented or one who has swallowing problems requires a great deal of common sense as well as your skills in caring.

"CareSense" refers to the ways you use your past experience (common sense), to enhance your skills in performing tasks of care.

The Essay Contest has been a highlight of NA Week since 1978. The current title, "Savvy Nursing Assistants Use CareSense " will be the 8th in the series. We want to include your ideas in this booklet. Won't you take a few minutes to tell us about your experiences? In return, we will list your name as a contributor - this makes you a "published author" and you will learn how to include this new status on your resume. In addition, we will send you a complementary copy of the essay booklet as soon as it is printed.

Judges will look for your best ideas that required both care skills and common sense to deal effectively with a situation, and what you learned from the situation. Entries can be typed or handwritten, and must include your name, address and phone number. Please limit your essay to two paragraphs. If possible, please enclose photos of those involved. Submit your own entry - or you may work with other nursing assistant(s) to develop this as a joint entry. Return the completed form to the address below. Entries must be received by September 30, 2001 to be included in "Tips 8."

• Online Essay Entry Form

• WORKSHOPS AT YOUR SITE

The following programs address specific issues of nursing assistants in long term care. Certificates and Inservice reports are provided. Most classes are eligible for contact hours from professional organizations. Each workshop provides the opportunity for the NA to develop specific skills and a plan for applying these new skills in the work setting. Trainers and supervisors are encouraged to attend with nursing assistants groups.

Clinical Teaching Skills for Instructors, Supervisor and Nursing Assistants Mentors ©
(12 hours and assignments)

This course provides skill training for the teaching team comprised of instructor supervisor and nursing assistants who help the new NA to transfer classroom learning to clinical settings. The goal of the course is to increase retention rates for new nursing assistants and to formalizing the role of the mentor within the facility. In this course students will examine the ways adults learn; and practice a repertory of clinical teaching skills. Attention is also directed to building the teaching team as an effective unit.

The WH2O Patrol © (3 hr)

Dehydration is a major issue which contributes to skin breakdown, confusion, bowel and bladder problems, and other problems for the resident.. Studies have shown that as many as 90% of the residents and clients receive less than adequate fluid intake on a daily basis. This workshop provides both individual and unit specific skills and plans for assuring adequate fluid intake by residents.

Encouragement: The Language of Caring © (3-5 hours)

Encouragement requires that a person develop a special language that communicates confidence and respect for differing perceptions and beliefs of others. Encouragement provides a framework in which difficult issues of diversity, abuse, neglect, low esteem, and job dysfunction can be addressed with an aim to create positive outcome. In this session, students will discuss and practice a variety of skills for encouragement in a variety of situations.

National Leadership Training Program for Nursing Assistants © (12 hours and assignments)

Nursing assistants provide leadership in many ways when they work with the new nursing assistant, serve on a safety or care planning committee, or work with peers in regional, state and national organizations. They also use skills of organizing, decision making and problem solving when performing daily tasks of care. The goal of the project is to build a repertoire of leadership skills that can be used in the clinical, committee, or group settings.

Telling My Story: Portfolio Development for Nursing Assistants © (3-5 hours)

Today's health care system is changing rapidly and the NA who provides 80-90% of all direct care in nursing homes also must be prepared to face this kaleidoscope of changing roles and expectations. Often, NAs do not give words to their own experiences, knowledge and strengths. This session provides a framework in which the NA can begin to define her/his role and responsibility within the health care system and to develop a plan for future growth.

"Working with Groups and Committees" (Part 1 and Part II - 5-6 hours each)

This session provides skill training to help the nursing assistant and others to be effective member of the facility's care planning, safety, purchasing, or other committees. Working with Groups Part 1 is directed to nursing assistants or others desiring to work more effectively in a group or committee. Part II focuses on the facilitator role in the group process and provides skill training for group leaders..

To schedule a course or workshop or for m more information about a session, please feel free to contact us: By Email to: [email protected]

• FACTS ABOUT NURSING ASSISTANTS

Each day more than two million caregivers provide hands-on care to our nation's frail elderly or chronically challenged citizens in nursing homes and other long term care settings (US Dept Labor).

These important workers have numerous titles
such as:

• Nurse/Nursing Assistants

• Caregivers

• In-Home Care Aides

• Hospice Assistants

• Care Assistants

• Geriatric Aides/Assistants

• Resident Assistants

• Restorative Aides

• Health Care Assistants

Nursing Assistants provide as much as 90% of the direct care received by residents and clients in Long Term Care Facilities.

Career Nursing Assistants have the following characteristics:

• 28% stay 5 or more years

• 12.6% stay 10-55 or more years
  

• provide stability and consistency to care
  

• maintain positive relationships to residents
  

• value job security and peer relationships
  

• considered to be health care experts in their own families