Be In the Know!

It’s officially summer when the pace of every day life is supposed to be slower and more laid back.  Hmm…how’s that going for you? These days, it seems like we’re all running at full speed throughout the year!  However, at In the Know, we work hard to make your life easier…at least when it comes to inservicing your CNAs.  Our customers report that implementation of our inservice program is simple.  And, many of them have offered their own tips for sailing through annual inservice requirements.  Here are just a few of those tips:

“I add information and questions to my In the Know inservices that are facility-specific.  And, on each unit, I maintain a self-study folder box so that the CNAs always have access.”

“I utilize members of our team to present different inservices.  For example, an African American assistant administrator presented the ‘Understanding Cultural Diversity’ inservice to help CNAs understand that it is so much more than race.  Medical social workers presented the ‘Understanding & Supporting Advance Directives’ inservice.  And, a corporate compliance officer presented the ‘Maintaining Confidentiality’ inservice.”

“When I do a training, I copy the learner’s section of the inservice, the quiz and any puzzles or games–and distribute them to the aides.  The aides are very involved in the training.  Usually, we split up in groups during the inservice meeting and I assign a group leader.  We do some problem solving.  This allows the aides to practice critical thinking.  Then, we get together and discuss each other’s ideas.

“I develop a workbook for each In the Know topic which includes several copies of the learner’s section and a separate instructor workbook.  This has been especially helpful for the night shift.”

“To save paper, we try to recycle copies of each In the Know inservice throughout the year.  However, aides are welcome to keep their own copies if they wish.”

“We mail In the Know inservices to employees with their paychecks once a month.  It works great!”

“I print out the Certificate of Completion from my In the Know Supervisor Toolkit.  I make one copy for the company file and one for the employee to take home.”

“To let our employees know when and what the monthly inservice is, I ‘advertise’ it by writing a short article in our company newsletter.  (The newsletter comes out one week before the inservice meeting.)”

“I allow my home care aides to do their inservices on a self-study basis.  I pay them for an hour and provide them with a due date.  When I grade their quizzes, I let them know how they did and hand out certificates.  They really enjoy receiving that pat on the back.  Also, if a number of aides miss the same quiz question, I use that as an opportunity for further education.  It lets me know what they don’t understand.”

“Sometimes, I give the nursing assistants material from the inservice to preview.  Then, on the day of the meeting, they present their section of the inservice.”

“I’ll pull some interesting facts or statistics from each inservice and write them on separate slips of paper which are distributed to each participant.  Throughout the inservice, I have each person read his/her fact to the group.  This promotes participation, even among shy employees.

We hope these tips give you some ideas for streamlining your own inservice program, whether or not you use In the Know modules.  And, from all of us at In the Know, Happy Summer!

It’s CNA Week and that’s a great time to think about how you can help your nursing assistants continue to learn on the job.  Here at In the Know, we’re all about lifelong learning.  And we know that the best learning experiences are often a bit “outside the box”.  So, here are some tips that might spur both critical thinking and learning among your direct care staff:

• Institute a “Learning Award” and present it to the nursing assistant who completes the most hours of continuing education in a specific time period (calendar quarter or year) or on a specific subject pertinent to your workplace (patient rights or workplace safety).

• Encourage and support skills that go beyond client care, such as money management, parenting, career planning, resume writing, etc.

• Have a different nursing assistant lead each inservice meeting with you.

• Consider developing a tuition reimbursement plan and/or a college scholarship program for the nursing assistants at your workplace.

• Ask a CNA or two to join you when a medical equipment representative comes in to demonstrate or promote a new product.  The CNAs may know best if the equipment in question will work at your facility.

• Encourage your nursing assistants to volunteer for committees at work–ethics, quality improvement, safety, etc.  Then, give them the time and support to attend the meetings.

• At home health or hospice client care meetings, ask your aides to present each of their clients.  Don’t let them sit there quietly when they probably have such valuable input to share.

• On your CNAs’ yearly performance evaluations, make sure that at least one of their goals has to do with learning.

• Build a library of books at your workplace on a variety of subjects:  health care, motivation, parenting, physical fitness, healthy eating, etc.  Allow your CNAs to “check out” the books.

• Encourage your CNAs to become computer literate (if they aren’t already).\

• Start each inservice or staff meeting by asking your CNAs to share one thing they have learned since the last meeting.

• Assess the learning needs of your nursing assistants quarterly…or at least annually.

• Teach your CNAs to speak up if they are assigned to a client with an unfamiliar diagnosis.

• Have your nursing assistants lead a book club for the residents in your facility or teach the residents one of their favorite hobbies.

Whew…as you can see, the possibilities are endless!  But the bottom line remains the same:  give your nursing assistants the opportunity to learn and grow and they will be happier, more productive employees.  And, you’ll have a team of top-notch CNAs!

Did you know that people are talking about your CNAs?  It’s true!  People from all over the U.S. are speaking their minds about nursing assistants.  They are sharing their thoughts about the dedication and compassion shown by CNAs across the country and beyond.

Who’s doing all this talking?  Your co-workers…nurses and other nursing assistants.  Politicians…governors and senators.  And, celebrities…a diverse group including Mary Murphy (from So You Think You Can Dance), Dr. Patch Adams and actress Jane Fonda.

Where can you read their comments?  Visit Just for Nursing Assistants.  While you’re there, please consider leaving some comments of your own.  For example, what would you say to a CNA who feels discouraged?  Or, what would you say to someone who is thinking about becoming a CNA?  You may add your thoughts here.

Soon, it will be CNA Week (June 10-17).  That’s a great time to put the focus on your CNAs and give something back to this hardworking group.  At In the Know, we send our thanks to CNAs everywhere…and we hope you will spread the word about our new site, Just for Nursing Assistants, which was created just for them!