Be In the Know!

At In the Know, we believe that lifelong learning is the key to both professional and personal success.  But, this isn’t just a meaningless mission statement stuck in a frame and hung on the wall.  Instead, it’s a way of life at our company. As the founder of In the Know, I created an atmosphere that encourages learning for each employee.

For example:  we have an In the Know library, filled with books relating to a variety of subjects—especially (but not limited to) health care.  Every employee has two hours of “library time” each week.  While they are encouraged to select reading material from the company library, they are free to read whatever they like.  The only “rule” is:  If you come across a great idea or are inspired by something you read, please share it with your coworkers.

What’s the result?  My employees and I are always reading, reviewing and researching…on a constant quest to continue learning.   Every day around our offices, you are likely to see a couple of excited employees huddled over a headline or hear someone say, “Wow…listen to what I just found out!”  New ideas are valued and it makes for motivated employees who enjoy coming to work.

How are things at your workplace?  Do you think your CNAs are inspired by you to add to their knowledge base and/or expand their skills?  At inservice time, do they sense your excitement about the topic at hand?  Do your nursing assistants know they can come to you for more information about a specific client care issue?

If you would like to promote lifelong learning among your aides, try sharing a few of these tips:

Instead of a “to do” list, keep a “to learn” list. Encourage your CNAs to jot down any learning needs they have.  For example, do they want to know more about diabetes, pressure sores or time management?  Put them on the list.  Would they like to learn more about quality improvement, patient rights or ethical issues?  They get added to the list, too.

Keep your eyes open! Suggest that your CNAs observe a coworker whom they admire.  A lot can be learned by watching, especially when you observe people who are really good at what they do.  Some of their habits may rub off!

Practice what you learn. Knowledge by itself is great…but it takes on real value when it is applied.  Share with your CNAs how you put new knowledge to work for you on the job and suggest they try the same thing.

Show others how it’s done. A great way to learn is by teaching others!  Ask your aides to help train new employees.  Or, each time you hold an inservice meeting, ask a different CNA to help lead the meeting.

Learn in groups. If your nursing assistants complete their inservices as self-study modules, suggest that they work together in groups of two or three.  They can bounce ideas off each other and, as a result, learn more than they would “going solo.”

Think outside the box. If your CNAs stick to the exact same routine every day, they may go on “autopilot” and stop learning.  Encourage them to switch things up a bit—as long as it doesn’t interfere with a client’s needs or rights.

Make learning a priority. The motivation to keep on learning has to come from within. Show your CNAs that lifelong learning is a daily habit for you and they may decide to make it a priority in their lives, too.

Do you have tips that have helped you create an environment of learning?  Please share them with us…we’re always open to learning new things!

Take care,

Linda

Linda Leekley BS, RN

President, In the Know

There is an old saying that managing employees would be so much easier if it were not for the people!  Of course that is not true for the most part, however, supervising employees can be a stressful job.  When you factor in different personalities, work ethics, unavoidable outside forces, client care, it is a wonder anyone does it!  Below are several tips on how to supervise effectively (and not make yourself crazy in the process):

• Communicate clearly.  Almost every “issue” in the workplace is caused or exacerbated by someone’s communication that is unclear, too late, too early, non-existent, etc.  Make sure your message is clear by communicating your organization’s vision and goals, and guiding others to accomplish them.

• Listen!  Take the time to truly listen to your employees.  Learn to listen twice as much as you talk.  One of the first signs of an organization in trouble is that communications break down. Err on the side of too much communication, rather than not enough.

• Prepare! Nothing can create a more peaceful workday than having everything well-organized.  Figure out what is not in place, fix it, and make it work for you.  If you are not the organizing type, get a co-worker’s help.  They will feel flattered and you will benefit by being better prepared for each day.

• Prioritize! Recognize what is important from what is urgent. As you well know, in healthcare, nothing is ever predictable.  Expect the unexpected.

• Address issues as they arise.  Convey performance issues as they occur.  It is not fair to the rest of your employees or clients if someone is falling behind in job performance.  Be specific about what you saw that you consider being a performance problem.  Follow your organization’s steps for performance counseling and address issues accordingly.

• Praise accomplishments. Take the time to recognize acknowledgments.  Saying “thank you” goes a long way in making a good nursing assistant feel appreciated and valued.  Write a handwritten note, or provide a treat such as a pizza party.  Your nurse aides work hard and deserve to have some occasional fun.

• Recognize your own signs of stress. Take care of yourself so you can take care of others.   Health care professionals experience a particularly high level of stress.  You are both a manager and a caregiver.  Pay attention to your stress level, and know when to “time out.”

How do you “survive” being a supervisor?  What tips do you have for being an effective leader?  Please send your comments along.  We would love to hear from you!

Happy Teaching!

Linda Leekley