Posted by Genevieve Gipson RN MEd RNC (web site host) on November 24, 1999 at 15:30:39:
The Millennium Gathering of Nursing Assistants
January 8, 2000
11:00am - 1:00 PM
your time. your place
There is much to do. Each NA can take has an important role to create a postive and supportive work environment for yourselves and the people in your care. This begins with us reminding ourselves that each NA is "the Key Player" in the lives of a person who needs care. We need to thank ourselves for the many selfless and sensitive things we do, forgive ourselves for oversights and know that our combined thoughts and actions can make a positive difference in our own work setting and in the lives of our residents.
I cannot guarantee you that others will always treat you with the respect you deserve, but I can guarantee you that you can always afford to act in a professional manner with others.
This gathering takes place in your facility as nursing assistants pause in their daily duties to join thoughts and hearts with thousands of other nursing assistants across the country. Our goal is to start the new Millennium with a spirit of good will and anticipation of the good we can accomplish together when we work together for positive change.
How to connect:
In groups in your own facilty; on a 1:1 basis; get together for lunch or coffee; connect on a web site, message board, chat room; or email to your friends.
You may also want to take a few minutes on your own simply to think about how valuable you are to the people in your care. Be sure to contact your local newspaper or TV Station about your Gathering - this is a part of promoting NAs to the community.
Some words to get you started:
"I am an important part of the care team and have done some pretty wonderful things in this past century. Which are (add your own words here). I will work to achieve positive changes in my career as a nursing assistant, and in my relationships with residents, families, peers, supervisors and others. I will also work to foster a better community understanding of the important role of the nursing assistant in long term care."
You may also want to review and reconfirm the Career Nursing Assistants Pledge:
As a Career Nursing Assistant I pledge to
-Provide a high quality of care to the people in my care
-Be committed to a career in health care
-Seek out new information and training
-Apply high moral and ethical values to daily tasks of care
-Display a kind sense-of-humor
-Demonstrate consistency and good work habits
-Take the initiative to serve on committees for advocany and positive change
-Be an effective team member
-Help others to grow in positive ways
If you would like more info, ideas or a sample news release that you can send to your local newspaper announcing your Millennium Gathering of NAs, you can email me privately at: [email protected]
Best of luck
GG