An important part of Nurse Assistants' Week and Career Nurse Assistants' Day is the National Classroom Project. Each year, the National Classroom Project brings nurse assistants together to discuss an issue of concern to worker and resident as well. In the National Classroom Project, nurse assistants in your facility or agency will join other nurse assistants nationwide to focus on attitudes and respect in caregiving and explore a number of perspectives and possibilities associated with the value and art in caregiving. You can participate in the National Classroom by conducting a series of daily dialogues or by conducting a workshop, class, project, bulletin board or public session to tell the story about what nurse assistants do that makes them "Specialists" in the care they give.  

Dialogue sessions can include discussion, exercises or events that help the nurse assistant to talk constructively about the issues that affect them and the people in their care. The Dialogue is a discussion session about an issue that relates to the important role of the nurse assistant in providing care. The Dialogue topics for 1998 focus on various aspects of professionalism, values, attitudes and respect. The ultimate purpose of a dialogue session is a change in perception about the nurse assistant's power to affect positive changes in their daily work-lives.  
  Topics for Nurse Assistants' Week National Classroom Project  

June 4, 1998 - Day 1: Service National Career Nurse Assistants' Day is a special day to recognize and validate the experienced nurse assistants with an award or recognition event.  

June 5, 1998 - Day 2: Effectiveness What does it mean to be an effective nurse assistant or caregiver? What do you do that makes you a specialist in the art of caring? What does it mean to be a "Specialist"? The word "Art" means those things that make your daily life more pleasant, friendly or meaningful. What do you do to let others know that you value and respect them? Give us an example of how you make daily life more pleasant, friendly or meaningful to yourself and for the people in your care.  

June 6, 1998 - Day 3: Skills and Strengths What skills do you use every day in the provision of care? How did you learn to do this? How comfortable are you when performing these skills? What are your strengths as a caregiver? What skills do you want to improve in your career as a nurse assistant?  

June 7, 1998 - Day 4: Values What does it mean to have a professional attitude and respect for others? What does it mean to have a kind sense of humor? How do you individualize the care you provide to your residents?  
June 8, 1998 - Day 5: Work Habits and Organizing Daily Duties How do I sequence the tasks I need to accomplish today? How do I set priorities on my daily tasks of nurturing and caring for others? How do I make time to take care of myself?  

June 9, 1998 - Day 6: Decision-Making What decisions will I need to make today? How do I go about discovering new ways to look at old problems?  

June 10, 1998 - Day 7: Learning How do I seek out new ideas and methods for improving care? How do I incorporate new ideas into the work that I perform daily? How do I make decisions about the care that I provide?  

June 11, 1998 - Day 8: What's Next? Where do I go from here? How do I help to promote the good work of the NA? How do I build my own career path?  
 

 
1. Select a discussion leader who can encourage others by acknowledging positive accomplishments, recognizing strengths and focusing on assets. 

 
2. Appoint or ask for a volunteer to write down important discoveries on paper or newsprint. 

 
3. Start the session by sharing first names. Build self-respect by acknowledging individual talents. 

 
4. Clearly state the topic and questions to be answered. You may want to provide a worksheet or write questions on a blackboard or flip chart. Establish the time limit for discussion to 30-45 minutes. 

 
5. Establish a few simple rules such as the following: 

- Do not judge answers. Some of the far-out answers often lead to wonderful new ideas, - Stay on topic. The goal is to generate as many answers as possible, - Avoid censoring, or negative comments. Choose to see the things that can benefit both resident and worker.  
 
6. Acknowledge each comment. Use encouraging words such as "Good idea!" or "That's interesting!" 

 
7. Show respect for each other by listening, giving your attention and acknowledging the concerns of others. Develop a sense of humor about even serious topics. 

 
8. Summarize the main points, thank the participants, and invite them to the next session. 

 
9. Review your discoveries and suggestions with the DON, administrator, inservice director, the local Gerontology Coordinator, Ombudsman, Congressperson or others. 

 

© Copyright 1998 Career Nurse Assistants' Programs, Inc. All rights reserved.

Award-winning web site design and fast hosting by Empowering You!
Website: