Posted by Genevieve Gipson RN MEd RNC (web site host) on September 26, 1999 at 09:24:25:
9/26/99
Hello all,
Thank you for all your concerns and wonderful ideas. This is how we will build a Network and create a voice for nursing assistants. In this memo, I want to tell you what I do with the messages you put on this board. Then I need your help from you for a project concering surveys,
1. You are working in the National Network for Career Nursing Assistants when you send info or questions to us. So I thought you might like to know what happens to the info you send.
When we receive your notes, we may contact you directly to find out more about your concerns, invite you to help with a project, or forward your memo or ideas to public officials who want to know more about you. If you give us your mailing address we send you a free copy of the Network News.
In fact, many Network NAs have already had meetings with State and Federal legislators and public officials who desire to help NAs. Those who attend the National Leadership Conf 10/31-111/99 in Washington DC will have an opportunity to create joint statements about NA issues and also to meet with folks from HCFA and other Federal Agencies. What you say is important and is being heard. You are a part of creating better care and a better workenvironment for the people who provide this care -the NAs ( that would be you.)
If you have not already done so, you might want to go to the page for the NA National Leadership Conf, also on this web site.
2. Need your help
I will be speaking to the National Assocation of Health FAcilities Survey Agencies in October. These are the folks who conduct the survey in your facility and give deficiencies and sanctions against the home for problem areas.
They want to work more closely with NAs and have asked me to talk with them about this. The will be talking with you more and we have a chance to help shape how they will do this. My questions are:
1. How much do surveyors currently talk with NAs?
2. What questions are being asked?
3. What is the general atttitute of the surveryor toward the NA?
4. What do you think they should discuss with a NA?
5. What would you like them to know about what you are doing?
6.What does a NAs need to know before this visit?
7. How can they use NAs better in the survery proces?
I look forward to your answers.
If you want to discuss this further with me or one of our advisors, you can always email me privately at [email protected]
Much thanks