Posted by Connie on September 29, 1999 at 17:27:10:
In Reply to: CNA recruitment and retention posted by Lori on September 27, 1999 at 19:22:21:
Recruting and retaining CNA's......Unfortunately it's
not just a money issue (although that's a BIGGIE!)
It's hard to recrute people into a business that
is so misunderstood. The general public views LTC
as a death sentence... no focus on finishing LIFE.
And it sure doesn't help that the only press that
we get is negative. You hear about the abusive aide
or nurse but rarely about the one that gave up their
day off to sit in a waiting room during surgery, or
at the bedside of a dying resident.
We need to start education early!! Get children
involved with the LTC. As they become members of
the work force maybe they won't be so quick to judge it as
a terrible place.
Once you become an CNA then you have to deal with
nurse's and department heads that look down on you
because you don't have a "degree". There is very
little respect for "just an aide"; and after you've
been shot down so many times it's hard to get back
up. We are rarely offered oportunities to advance
our knowledge unless we go back to school to become
nurses. An hour inservice once a month doesn't feed
our need for more knowledge. We are responsible
for our residents but given little chance to have
input in the decisions that shape their lives.
Surveyors want the residents to have a more homelike
environment, more personalized care but then say this
can be done with a 12:1 ratio. ?????? I'm consider
myself fortunate that I work for a county home and
not a "profit" one. I've done both and profit seems
to come before staff and residents needs.
CNA's need a support system. It's a tough job,
physically, emotionally, and mentally. Yet we
are often expected to work like machines and treat
the residents as "parts". With all of the expectations,
it is easy to become negative. And that can spread
thru a building faster than the "flu"!
New CNA's are often trained by someone with only a
few months experience because of turnover. This cheats
both the older CNA and the new CNA. They are put out
on their own without the skills they need to learn.
Leading to frustration, and feelings of inadequacy.
I could ramble forever, but have to be "taxi mom".
Take care all. And give yourself a *BIG HUG* for
the wonderful person that you are!:)
Connie