CNA Training

[QuigRN]

Last year I quit my job as a director of nursing and I am now the director of a CNA training program. My question is this: how do you reconcile what we teach them about bathing the correct way as described in their books, to what reality in a nursing home dictates? I don't want them to get a job and be blasted for using all the wash cloths for a bath but I can't teach them that they'll be lucky to get one wash cloth per person bathed or worse yet, have to use the corner of the towel. How can I keep it real for them?

[SaraO'Hara]

Perhaps have them practice both ways, but be very clear that the book is unrealistic?

We have similar problems in my CNA textbook; for example, several procedures are taught in a manner that works well for the state examination, but is absurdly inefficient or fatiguing when applied in real life (their bedmaking instructions come to mind...).

[Retired R.N.]

What are students in nursing programs taught about bathing? Are they also made aware of the "realities" in a nursing home? What happens in those nursing homes when the state inspectors drop in for their surveys?

Why can't the nursing profession unite enough to teach all members of the nursing team the same practices?

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

I remember the day we learned how to do bed baths in nursing school. One face cloth was used for the whole thing. Trouble is, I've been a patient in the hospital 6 times since then and not once has a nurse given anyone a bed bath. At the hospital here, they leave a face cloth and towel on the night table and walk away saying "Let me know if you need help"....no, lady, I'm in bed wrapped in bandages from the waist up with orders not to get out of bed, but that's ok...I don't need help! (by the way, the aides don't do much either unless you are comatose)

All of the education should be reality based. Trouble is, the surveyors reality hasn't been updated in 30 years.

[suebird3]

drop by the educators - nursing forum;maybe you can find some answers there?

suebird :)

[chadash]

I wouldn't sweat it too much. Just stress the principle of "clean to dirty"...and always wipe the eyes with a fresh cloth etc. You can always improvise and still follow good infection control.

[QuigRN]

drop by the educators - nursing forum;maybe you can find some answers there?

suebird :)

that's a good idea, i will. thanks!

i wouldn't sweat it too much. just stress the principle of "clean to dirty"...and always wipe the eyes with a fresh cloth etc. you can always improvise and still follow good infection control.

i just got back from a meeting with the nurses who help train and we thought along those lines. we will really stress infection control throughout the whole program and when we teach and do labs in those areas, we will address both the right way and the real world way.

thanks everyone for your help. if anyone else has ideas i'm all ears!!:thankya: