Re: FRUSTRATED- hope for a better future if we work together

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: : Debbie : Thanks for your memo. You are the reason why there is a National Network for Nursing Assistants. We need the Network as a National Voice for NAs and you need to be a part of this movement. : I am also forwarding your memo to Martha Mohler - probably the foremost authority on Staffing issues in this country. Martha has been a real champion for NAs and is in a position to help us get some important things done in regard to this issue. : I am just returning from SC where we did a State Wide Training Program for NAs - about how they could effect change in their faciltiy, their region and their state. We also discussed some internal strategies for address the very issue you raised about staffing rations. More than 220 NAs attended this dynamic and timely conference and they are moving ahead to form a Chapter of the National Network in SC. Other states and Regions are doing similar things and my guess is that your state is already working on this with us in some way. : : Some important events coming up are the 2nd National Leadership Training Program for NAs and the 6th Annual National Forum on NAs 10/31-11/2 in Washington DC. We need you to attend so you can connect with others and be part of the process of creating positive changes in the way care is provided. : Please know that we have worked extensively with legislators and public policy officials and have found many of them to be receptive and willing to support - but there is much to be done. We need to continue this good work. It is also important though that we speak as "one voice," and that our Position on these and other issue be clear, concise, professional, directed to the right people and with the endorsement of other influential groups. : Many of our NA groups are working on Position Statements. You can help now and at the conf in DC. We will be fine tuning these at the Leadership TP and taking them forward to endorsement and policy levels. You can be part of the solution by helping with this process. : We also have some chat sessions scheduled for NAs who desire to work constructively on these issues. At this time, chats are by invitation and you will be notififed by email of date and time. It is unfortunate that we have found it necessary to screen our chat rooms, but some folks have misused our efforts-- for their own private gain, and without regard to the intended purposes of the Network. : If you like you can email me privately so we can discuss funding source that may enable you to attend. Best of luck. : Genevieve Gipson RN MEd RNC : Career Nurse Assistants Programs, Inc : National Network of Career Nursing Assistants : Web Master for this site : Founder and sponsor of the annual nationwide observance of Career Nursing Assistants Day and National Nursing Assistants Week. : : . : From Debbie : : I know we have all worked short before, but this is : : ridiculous. For a long time now at our facility we : : have had anywhere from 14 to 23 residents per aide. : : The 14 I can handle pretty well, but when I have 23 : : residents, (total care) it is much too much. I don't : : know how they expect us to do our great job. We try : : and we cry. I don't know what the answer is-except to : : hire more CNA's. No one is moving on it. We are not : : having call ins at this time, we are just short-staffed. I know this is an old, familiar complaint, : : and I don't really like to go on and on about being : : short, but does anyone think 23 residents to care for : : is too much? Any ideas?? We think the DON and ADON : : and even the Administrator should go on the floor when : : this occurs. Is this unreasonable?? I am talking about : : the afternoon shift by the way. I have been with this : : facility for 7 years and do not want to quit, hoping : : things will get better----it's not happening.In fact, : : since everyday we have 1 or 2 dayshift people stay : : overtime, they leave at 7:30pm and then the hall they : : were on only has 2 aides, which is 32 residents to : : care for from 7:30-10:30. I am surprised there have : : been no incidents from this working short. Honestly, : : we do the best we can, we feel bad for the residents : : and for the family members. We are not allowed to use : : the word short--but they can tell we are, just by : : how long it might take to answer a call llght. : : How many residents should one aide be responsible for : : on the afternoon shift?? We do our own showers also, : : but not when we have 23 residents. Isn't that a shame? : : What is legal?? Thanks for listening, I know this is : : long, but I am looking for support before I give up and : : look for another job. Debbie

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