Posted by Genevieve Gipson RN MEd RNC on November 19, 1999 at 20:13:23:
want to update you and also to ask NAs in the Boston or DC area to be in focus groups relating to staffing issues.
1. The 2nd National Leadership Conference and the 6th Annual National Forum for NAs were held in Washington DC 10/31/-11/3/99. One of the major accomplishments for NAs has been gaining direct access to administration and public policy people in HCFA and in congress. Nursing Assistants have some good friends in HCFA's administrator, Nancy Min de Parle who has appointed a high level person in her office to work with us. She has also asked Abt,the reseach group that is conducting the National Staffing Studies to talk directly to NAs rather than relying on data alone to identify issues relating to staffing.
Two sessions were conducted at the National Leadership Program and we are now planning two more focus groups, one in the Boston and one in the DC areas. These sessions will be held with ABT reserachers and about 1 1/2 - 2 hours. NAs will attend on their own time and will receive a stipend for attending.
We prefer that NAs who attend have completed the Leadership Program, but that is not a prerequisite - the important thing is that NAs participating know the difference between "bitching" (which turns off the listener and does not address the issue) and dealing in positive ways with difficult issues. To be included in this study is a major accomplishment and those NAs who attend will have a responsibility to be the voice of all NAs.
We know that NAs have the words to use to discuss these issues and we would be happy to help you think through the best way to say them.
If you live in the Boston or DC area and would like to participate, please email me at [email protected] or to Shari.
If you do not live in these areas but would like your voice to be heard, then email your comments and we will make them a part of the record.
NAs know what it means to be short staffed and how it feels when you simply do not have the time to perform needed tasks of care. But the gap has has been that the people who make the laws and determine reimbursment have not had access to folks on the front line.
Now, largely through efforts of the National Coaltion,the National Network of Career Nursing Assistants and the Direct Care Alliance, we have been able to bring NAs into the decision making realm in two ways: through Leadership training and by making a place at the table for discussions such as the focus groups. The 2 groups conducted at the National Leadership Program conducted by the National Network were very successful and NAs who participated would be happy to discuss their experiences with those who would like to do this.
This is already a long message and I apologize but am happy to have this forum to create a National Voice for Nursing Assistants. Please feel free to call me at (330) 825 9342 or to email the NNCNA at [email protected]
National Nursing Assistants Week is June 1-8,2000. The focus is on Career Growth and the theme is: "Caring:Time to Make it Personal" More later on this.
GG