Be In the Know!

Give your CNAs a "thumbs up"!

There is nothing more uplifting for a CNA (or any employee for that matter) than when they are recognized for a job well done.  Many employees feel that their boss is quick to point out any deficiency or mistake, but feel that getting positive reinforcement is difficult and infrequent.  If your nursing assistants are deserving of recognition, here are a few ways to show them that you appreciate it…without spending a dime!

1. Send them a handwritten note. A CEO of a Fortune 500 company frequently handwrites “thank you” notes on $2 bills.  In more than 3 years of doing this, only one employee has asked if the bill could be spent.  This tells us that instead of spending the $2, the employees prefer to keep it as a positive memento
2. Share the love. Ask each employee to write something down about an exemplary aide who has earned their respect and admiration.  Put all of their comments into a small picture frame and give it to the aide.
3. Up-front parking. Create a sign for the best parking space at your office or facility.  The sign should read: “Employee of the Month,” or something similar.  Make the right to this parking space competitive, and you won’t believe what lengths your aides will go to in order to win the competition, and the parking space.
4. TGIF. Allow a deserving CNA to take off early on a Friday afternoon.  This may not be possible due to client care responsibilities, but if you feel that you can get along without the aide for the afternoon, offer him or her the rest of the day off.  Naturally, you’ll want to treat these few hours off as time “on the clock” as a reward for this employee.
5. Well days. Many people can relate to this:  You need a day off.  You may have something really important to do, or you may not.  So you decide to call in “sick.”  Most of the time this makes you feel guilty about missing work, right? Reward a job well done by allowing your employees to earn “well days.”  These are days off when an employee can do whatever they need or want to do, but does not have to fib about feeling ill.
6. Rank and Title. It may or may not come with a raise in pay, but if outstanding aides continue to show that they are responsible and accountable, offer to add “Senior” or “Shift Leader” to their title.  It is amazing how much pride your new leaders will take in this small gesture.
7. Go public. Create and distribute a company-wide newsletter detailing an employee’s exemplary performance.  This will honor that particular nursing assistant, while creating motivation for the rest of your staff.A quick “thank you.”  The most cost effective way of acknowledging hardworking employees is to simply thank them…and it only takes a second.  Everyone appreciates being appreciated.

If one or more of these rewarding gestures appeals to you, give them a try with your staff.  Then, come back to this blog and let everyone know what the response was to your show of appreciation.  We would love to hear from you!

Thanks for reading,

Evan

Evan Leekley

evanleekley@knowingmore.com

Have you ever hired nursing assistants and, after HR paperwork and a quick tour of your facility or agency, sent them off to a full day’s work? Does orientation seem like a waste of time with CNAs? After all, many of them don’t stick around long, so why bother? Well, here’s a tale from my past that spells out the problem with that theory:

When I started my first job as a new nursing graduate, it was on a busy hematology/oncology unit at a big teaching hospital. I was green, intimidated and in need of a good orientation. Did I receive it? Nope…instead I was thrown into a full patient assignment. (There was a preceptor assigned to me, but she was busy with her own caseload.) When I expressed my concerns to my preceptor, she said to me, “Look, we know an orientation would be nice. But, you’re a warm body to fill a spot on this shift. Just do the best you can because none of us have time to help you.”

What happened? Well, thankfully, I avoided causing any harm to my patients! But, my stress level went sky high; I felt alienated from my co-workers; and I spent my days off worrying about work. Before long, I developed strep throat and walking pneumonia. After a month, I transferred to another oncology unit where the staff was willing to orient me.

So, guess what? Once again, the heme/onc unit was short staffed! Their neglect of my learning needs was shortsighted and cost them another “warm body”. And, as time went on, I found out that the cycle continued; very few nurses wanted to work on that unit. Their attitude about orientation harmed everyone: the supervisor, the staff and the patients!

It’s the same with nursing assistants. If they are not oriented properly to their role within your workplace, they are likely to become stressed, overwhelmed and anxious to move on to another job. This vicious cycle is part of why CNA turnover is so high across the United States.

There is good news. Studies have shown that, on average, when an organization institutes a high quality orientation, their turnover rate decreases by 50% within two years! That’s one reason why we developed a complete CNA Orientation Program entitled, “Getting Off to a Good Start”. We wanted to help you with your aide retention rates AND provide the tools and support that nursing assistants need when they begin a new job.

“Getting Off to a Good Start” includes information on professionalism, communication, teamwork, patient rights, infection control, time management, stress management, personal wellness, customer service, cultural diversity, quality improvement, documentation and LOTS of practical client care tips. And, the program gives the learner SIX hours of inservice credit…right off the bat!

If you want more information on our CNA Orientation Program, please feel free to give us a call at 877-809-5515. We’re happy to answer any questions you have and/or email you a preview of the program.

Happy Hiring!
Linda

Linda Leekley BS, RN
www.knowingmore.com

Today, you can read about our final group of nursing assistants who were selected by their supervisors and all of us at In the Know to be honored for being outstanding on the job:

Miranda M., who is a real team player at Dependable Home Healthcare in Martinsville, Virginia

Linda L., a top-notch CNA at Carolinas Medical Center-Union in Monroe, North Carolina

Josephine A., a real star at Good Samaritan Lutheran Health Care Center in Delmar, New York

Nita W., who believes in the mission of the Area Agency on Aging of West Central Arkansas in Hot Springs, Arkansas

Marie S., who excels at her job at the Jerome Home in New Britain, Connecticut

Supervisor, Fiana P., told us that she is so glad to have Miranda on her team. She has been able to please some of their most challenging clients. The agency stands by its name, Dependable Home Healthcare, and Miranda is ALWAYS dependable! Miranda has chosen a career as a nursing assistant, but it’s obvious that nursing is in her heart.

At CMC-Union, Kathleen R. reported that Linda is an extraordinary person. She is always so friendly and courteous to both patients and staff. Linda is always willing to help. She has been working for the hospital for a long time and knows everyone. You can always expect a lift in your spirits when you see her in the hall. Linda’s patient care is outstanding!

Supervisor, Marjorie H., told us that Josephine is always doing all the little extra things that make a resident’s day. The residents confide in her; if they are grieving, she cries right along with them. And, if they need a “lift”, all she has to do is show them her beautiful smile. Josephine’s co-workers are all glad that she is part of their team!

Missy M., Director of Health Services, reported that Nita has been working with their Agency for many years. Even though she has since earned her LPN degree, Nita continues to work full-time as a CNA because she believes in the mission of the Agency to help seniors lead independent, meaningful and dignified lives. Nita sees clients in their homes on a daily basis and always goes above and beyond to see their needs are met. She is the eyes and ears of the Agency and they feel so lucky to have her. The quality of their clients’ lives is so much better because Nita is looking after them!

At the Jerome Home, Kathy F. told us that Marie is an outstanding CNA. She works the 3-11 shift on their dementia unit. Marie is faced with challenging behaviors every day. She has learned to respond with a caring tone–which is sometimes all that is needed. Marie is always striving to improve her education and skills by participating in many of the classes offered at her facility. Recently, she was selected to take part in a phlebotomy training class so that she can draw blood as needed for her residents. Marie is a star employee!

We also send special recognition to all the CNAs at Washington County Hospital in Nashville, Illinois. Your supervisor, Clara S., told us that she is fortunate enough to have outstanding CNAs on every shift…and there was no way she could nominate just one. So, congratulations to all of you!

WOW! Such amazing stories of personal and professional growth! We send a big thank you…to Miranda, Linda, Josephine, Nita, Marie and all the thousands and thousands of other hardworking CNAs who bring so much of themselves to their jobs!

CONGRATULATIONS from the Team at In the Know!