Posted by Gary R. Ilminen, RN on May 30, 19100 at 17:15:17:
In Reply to: Need ideas....new DON posted by Debbie on May 28, 19100 at 00:24:23:
: As a new D.O.N. of a long term care facility, and once a C.N.A., I DO know exactly how the C.N.A.'s feel. The facility where I have recently went, the care is good, the staffing is OK (I have seen alot worse), but the attitude of the staff in terrible! I need to be firm about the call ins. It only hurts the staff that come in and do their work. Any ideas out there?
: Debbie, RN/BSN
Debbie,
I was a DON for over seven years in two SNFs. The most powerful staff attitude pick-me-up I discovered was staff empowerment. I did this by implementing flexible self-scheduling (CNA staff included)in each facility and broadening staff involvement in management of the nursing department. This set the stage for heightened professional performance expectations. Self-scheduling is much easier to administer than top-down dictated scheduling and resulted in far fewer call-ins and no-shows because staff picked their hours. By expanding the part-time work force I was able to assure coverage for gaps and I was able to schedule the facility two months in advance, so gaps could be spotted and covered. CNA Staff involvement in clinical practice teams, pre-hire interview teams and my Performance Improvement committee also gave the CNA staff a big morale boost and sense of professional involvement. Just a couple ideas to try.