Reward system for hardworking CNA's..need help!

UM Review RN, ASN, RN · May 5, 2005

The nursing assistants (this title needs an overhaul), while technically "assisting," in actuality have their own job. Nurses know this, CNAs know this; so let's give up the charade.

What charade? They're not two separate jobs; they're all part of nursing duties and use nursing procedures and rationales. The CNA IS a nursing assistant and works under the direction and supervision of the nurse.

To get back to the OP's question:

I never saw happier staff than when we were all given carnations one day at work. I can't even remember what for. They looked great even on the guys and held up for the whole shift, somehow.

So I vote for a few fresh carnations on paydays to a few of those hard workers.

:flowersfo

We also used to get a little bonus for perfect attendance for the month--$35. Clocking in late or calling off or leaving mid-shift disqualified the person. But if you got all 12, it added up to about $400 more a year. Christmas money....

nightmare, RN · May 8, 2005

Our c/a's get an extra bit of money if they complete their rotaed hours per month.I wish there was an easy way to get rid of those that dont pull their weight.They curl up and sleep when your not chasing them,they call in sick at the last minute leaving you shift short ,they go home half way through a shift because they are "ill".The management are reluctant to get rid of them because then they have to find more c/a's to cover shifts.We have been trying to rota on at least one senior carer each night so that the lazy ones can be monitored and made to do their fair share of the work.Our c/a's can also do their SVQ care level2 which then makes them a senior carer with a bit more pay and responsibility.

I always thank the c/a's when they go off shift,I couldnt do the job without them and the good ones make the work and the night so much easier,the residents are happy and calm and well cared for and you know that you will come in the next night and not have complaints about unfinished work etc.They are the backbone of the nursing staff. :nurse:

mwaldon · May 8, 2005

I cherish our CNA's and I tell them on a regular basis. I also tell them when I have a issue with them. I sometimes give them a "cha cha" (candybar, coke, thankyou hug) but I always praise them infront of other staff and family. You can ask any CNA that I have... they know they are wonderful!

lovingtheunloved, ASN, RN · May 10, 2005

Dear Kristi,
I realize that you only have the best intentions, which I can appreciate. A "pat on the back" is a beautiful thing, especially in our industry -- they're way too few, and far between. We need our affirmations from each other. Though, here's the thing - and not necessarily directed at you, Kristi:
A reward system implies that one is superior to the other, which is evident in certain poster's referring to a CNA as "my."
They do not belong to you.
Along this same vein; We are actually talking about two separate jobs here.
It is completely impossible for one human to give meds, etc., while also handling the other (numerous) needs of the residents, plus vitals, of anywhere from 22-30 residents -- the usual patient load of a CNA on night-shift.
The nursing assistants (this title needs an overhaul), while technically "assisting," in actuality have their own job. Nurses know this, CNAs know this; so let's give up the charade.
The reality is this: We are a team. Nurses have their assignment, the CNA's (not "aides) have theirs. Many are also in nursing school, and occasionally come to work exhausted. I certainly hope that they are not the "lazy" ones to which you refer?
Surely you remember those days of complete exhaustion? Or, maybe you don't, depending on whether you worked as a CNA during nursing school - or have any prior experience with this particular job.
We don't have "lazy" CNAs where I work, anymore than we have "lazy" nurses. Apparently I work at some magical facility where we all respect - and enjoy - each other, with an understanding that this is "teamwork."
To truly gain the (much deserved) respect of "the" CNAs, may I suggest that the only treat that's needed is some basic respect? Let Admin. give out any "incentives."

EXACTLY.

Alicia18 · May 10, 2005

Yeah, being the best CNA I can is my job and I would do it whether or not Admin or my coworkers appreciate me. But a thank you DOES go a long way toward propping up spirits that are beginning to droop, or to remind CNAs that their hard work does mean something. I mean, yeah, we already know that, but it's nice to hear from someone else that we're doing a good job. Praise instills more confidence and happiness, I think. :)

Sue7573 · May 12, 2005

I have worked off and on at one nursing home since I was sixteen. (have worked at 3 other nursing homes other than this one). I was never more impressed than one time a nurse come to me and asked who had so and so this morning. I thought ohhh jeez what did I forget to do. I said "I did what's wrong" she said "nothing the family called and said they were impressed with the way she was cared for this morning and wanted to thank the CNA for it." I mean that meant sooooo much to me I was on cloud nine for the rest of the day.

A few years later and after I left and come back again I was never more insulted in my whole time there. I was doing my first round and trying to get the residents ready for breakfast, when I rolled one of the residents over to change her I found a little card under her chux. On the front it said congratulations! on the back it said "Take me to your Charge Nurse" I was already on fire. --I had been hearing rumors about this but was hoping they wouldn't do it.-- I took the card to our charge nurse and she literally clapped and jumped up and down and said I knew you would be the one, here you get a prize. OMG I was SO MAD for so many reason's and at a loss for words to describe how that made me feel about her, about my job, all I could think of to say to her was that I didn't think they should be allowed to put the cards under the residents and turned around without getting my "prize" !!!! After a little while I was cornered in the break room by the charge nurse and the unit coridinator and the "desk nurse" for lack of a better word for her, keep in mind we also had the three med nurses for our sixty bed facility, and on this particular day we had 4 CNA's on day shift. So anyway the three nurses cornered me and asked what in the world was my problem. MY PROBLEM :angryfire I mean I still am not sure I can put in words how I felt about that. First of all just like someone had said earlier in this thread that is my job. We are supposed to come and do a round first thing. I love my job, I am proud of what I do. I do a good job, a dang good job, my residents know it and any of the other employees that care to know, know it. I don't need a congratulations card from a nurse that has a title of "desk nurse" that has enough time to go "hide" little cards to catch some one not doing the job they are paid to do. NOW please, I don't want anyone to think I dont respect my nurses but literally that is what she did sit at the desk, she didn't chart, she didn't do schedules, she didn't pass meds, she didn't call doctors. Literally she sat there I think someone coined her as the go between the CNA and the Charge nurse "so not to have any one misunderstood in the event of a misunderstanding." Any way what if that resident had not of been wet. What if I had got her up before she had wet and I didn't change the chux. (cloth chux). SO now we are talking that I missed this card and they are at the desk saying well Sue didn't find her card I guess that means she isn't doing her job. And Why the HECK wasn't at least one of those three nurses on the floor actually working one of them could have got a group. Actually 3 of them could have taken a group. I just don't understand it. The real thanks would have been for the nurse to come down the hall and say hey I know you are busy what can I do to help.

And I personally don't like to be thanked publically. I don't know why. YES I like to be thanked and appreciated but I take it better if the nurse were to pull me off to the side saying something like you know ...... your hard work isn't going unnoticed, or for a nurse to say at the end of the shift thanks girl couldn't have got through the shift without you.

years ago when I first started working there we would have employee of the month. we had a nomination box up and any body could be nominated from anybody else. each month they would be tallied up and evaluated, every other month some one from the nursing department would get picked either by merit or drawing depending on the amount of nominations for each person. they would get their picture made and displayed with name on a plaque and a parking spot. At the end of the year the 12 employees of the month would be voted on by everyone in the facility. Then we would have employee of the year. I don't remember what they would get but it was good. I think it was PTO and a little gold pendant. And it was cool. and we worked together and we had Quality CNA's and we were all there not just on time but at least 15 min early waiting to clock in. We all liked each other. Never would there be a CNA hiding out or slacking. That was in 90 and 91. Then managment changed and the new management decided that there didn't need to be that kind of recognition. and now the moral is shot all to H E * * . My point is that yes recognition does go a very long way. but only if it is done in a sincere and respectfull way.

Sue

sunshine9 · May 12, 2005

I have worked off and on at one nursing home since I was sixteen. (have worked at 3 other nursing homes other than this one). I was never more impressed than one time a nurse come to me and asked who had so and so this morning. I thought ohhh jeez what did I forget to do. I said "I did what's wrong" she said "nothing the family called and said they were impressed with the way she was cared for this morning and wanted to thank the CNA for it." I mean that meant sooooo much to me I was on cloud nine for the rest of the day.
A few years later and after I left and come back again I was never more insulted in my whole time there. I was doing my first round and trying to get the residents ready for breakfast, when I rolled one of the residents over to change her I found a little card under her chux. On the front it said congratulations! on the back it said "Take me to your Charge Nurse" I was already on fire. --I had been hearing rumors about this but was hoping they wouldn't do it.-- I took the card to our charge nurse and she literally clapped and jumped up and down and said I knew you would be the one, here you get a prize. OMG I was SO MAD for so many reason's and at a loss for words to describe how that made me feel about her, about my job, all I could think of to say to her was that I didn't think they should be allowed to put the cards under the residents and turned around without getting my "prize" !!!! After a little while I was cornered in the break room by the charge nurse and the unit coridinator and the "desk nurse" for lack of a better word for her, keep in mind we also had the three med nurses for our sixty bed facility, and on this particular day we had 4 CNA's on day shift. So anyway the three nurses cornered me and asked what in the world was my problem. MY PROBLEM :angryfire I mean I still am not sure I can put in words how I felt about that. First of all just like someone had said earlier in this thread that is my job. We are supposed to come and do a round first thing. I love my job, I am proud of what I do. I do a good job, a dang good job, my residents know it and any of the other employees that care to know, know it. I don't need a congratulations card from a nurse that has a title of "desk nurse" that has enough time to go "hide" little cards to catch some one not doing the job they are paid to do. NOW please, I don't want anyone to think I dont respect my nurses but literally that is what she did sit at the desk, she didn't chart, she didn't do schedules, she didn't pass meds, she didn't call doctors. Literally she sat there I think someone coined her as the go between the CNA and the Charge nurse "so not to have any one misunderstood in the event of a misunderstanding." Any way what if that resident had not of been wet. What if I had got her up before she had wet and I didn't change the chux. (cloth chux). SO now we are talking that I missed this card and they are at the desk saying well Sue didn't find her card I guess that means she isn't doing her job. And Why the HECK wasn't at least one of those three nurses on the floor actually working one of them could have got a group. Actually 3 of them could have taken a group. I just don't understand it. The real thanks would have been for the nurse to come down the hall and say hey I know you are busy what can I do to help.
And I personally don't like to be thanked publically. I don't know why. YES I like to be thanked and appreciated but I take it better if the nurse were to pull me off to the side saying something like you know ...... your hard work isn't going unnoticed, or for a nurse to say at the end of the shift thanks girl couldn't have got through the shift without you.
years ago when I first started working there we would have employee of the month. we had a nomination box up and any body could be nominated from anybody else. each month they would be tallied up and evaluated, every other month some one from the nursing department would get picked either by merit or drawing depending on the amount of nominations for each person. they would get their picture made and displayed with name on a plaque and a parking spot. At the end of the year the 12 employees of the month would be voted on by everyone in the facility. Then we would have employee of the year. I don't remember what they would get but it was good. I think it was PTO and a little gold pendant. And it was cool. and we worked together and we had Quality CNA's and we were all there not just on time but at least 15 min early waiting to clock in. We all liked each other. Never would there be a CNA hiding out or slacking. That was in 90 and 91. Then managment changed and the new management decided that there didn't need to be that kind of recognition. and now the moral is shot all to H E * * . My point is that yes recognition does go a very long way. but only if it is done in a sincere and respectfull way.
Sue

First of all, I cannot believe that the nurse stuck a card under a resident like that. That is a very disrespectful thing to do to a resident let alone a CNA. You better not be sticking cards underneath me whether I can talk or not. Secondly, I do understand with what you are saying with the being praised all the time. One of the nurses on the dayshift says everyday "Good Job Girls, thanks" but it all seems routine. Like if someone asked. Her CNA's could never say that she never thanked them. But when it came to helping pass out a meal, answer a light, transfer a patient, etc... she was the last one to help out when the girls were short. Do you honestly feel appreciated at the end of the day when you can't get a single helping hand when we are struggling and your gossiping the whole time and your gonna thank me at the end of a shift and have me think that you mean it. Not happening. Thankfully, not all nurses are like this. There's the good and the bad. Just like there are the CNA's that are good and bad. We just gotta keep doing what we do best. But I think that you were right to stick up for what you believe. I can't imagine that is the only way that they can figure out exactly who is doing there work. What if a resident was dry? Does that you mean that you did not check them because you did not find a card?

Sue7573 · May 12, 2005

I had worked at that nusing home (with the card thing) on three different occasions before I moved out of town. I worked at another facility there in the new town and was flat floored at the goings on there. Let me explain that I had been accustomed to an absolute split, almost visible line drawn between the nurses and CNA's that there was never going to be a nurse to cross over and actually help the CNA (which for that very reason is why I had not gone on to be a nurse before). Oh now let me say if some one was watching or if the survey team was there we had plenty of help, but other wise it usually was nurses against CNA's. At this new nursing home I only worked weekends so I never saw the 'big wigs' much. I hadn't worked there very long when the administrator herself come in on a saturday. I asked around and was told that all of the office people take turns coming in on sat to be Manager on Duty. I had never heard of that. Any way we were feeding breakfast and I was in a room with a slow eater had been there for a while. This resident was fairly young and very cohereant he knew as much about anything at the nursing home as any one that worked there. The administrator stuck her head in the door and asked if I had Mrs. ______ I said yeah is she ok. She said "oh yeah she is fine. She was trying to get out of bed so I bathed her and got her up." I got so nervous. I tried to excuse myself to go check things out. The resident asked what was wrong with me. I said I have never had that happen. I am sure I will get wrote up for not having her up before. He said no, no, don't worry about it that the adminstrator does that all the time. After I got finished feeding him. I asked around and asked other nurses if I was in trouble. I mean I had just never had any one help out like that. I worked there for two years and found out that all the nurses and all the office people (except one) helped out. Not one time did a nurse walk out of a residents room all the way to the desk and page me to go empty a bed pan or better yet fix the call light position of the patients room she just come out of. Heck one night I had worked a double and was doing my books. I was wore completly out and still had my last round to make. I was dragging my butt like it weighed a ton and one of the nurses said "come on I will do the last round with you." I immediatly straightened up and said no no I am fine I can do it. He said "No I know you are tired you have just pulled two doubles in a row you have worked hard all day long let me help" and he did. we worked side by side. all the way through the round. I mean that is thanks. that is what I would do. I just want to be recognized as an important member to the team. Not as if I am at the mercy of the hall nurse or charge nurse.

Sue

lovingtheunloved, ASN, RN · May 15, 2005

The things that the CNAs have been posting is what my unarticulate self was trying to say. So ditto.

tinkCC · May 24, 2005

Yeah, being the best CNA I can is my job and I would do it whether or not Admin or my coworkers appreciate me. But a thank you DOES go a long way toward propping up spirits that are beginning to droop, or to remind CNAs that their hard work does mean something. I mean, yeah, we already know that, but it's nice to hear from someone else that we're doing a good job. Praise instills more confidence and happiness, I think. :)

I totally agree with you. I have been off sick for 2 weeks (contracted MRSA from a resident) and when I went by my facility to drop off my release to return to work I checked on my wing ..So many of the residents I care for are total care and it was their being happy and relieved that I was coming back was my reward. When one cried (in fact the one I got MRSA from) and hugged me saying she thought she would never see me again, it really tugged at my heart. I work with other aids that are close to verbal abuse at times and it makes me sick. I work with some nurses that will not lend a hand when I have a resident that requires two people assist. I know I if I make it in to the LVN class in August I will never be that kind of nurse. I think the most reward a CNA .. a good CNA can get is a nurse that understands her/his work load and is willing to help when he/she can. The real rewards come from the families and the residents you care for. So it is the appreciation of those I care for and their families that makes the most difference for me :)

ktwlpn, LPN · May 24, 2005

I don't care to be patronized nor do I patronize others..I would like to be treated as a professional on a daily basis and I certainly will accept a "well done" when I deserve it.I don't appreciate candy or cookies or pins-I find that kind of thing demeaning to our profession(too cutesy for me) I am very verbal with all staff I come into contact with-from cna's to dietary and housekeeping and maintenance....If anyone seems to go over and beyond I let them know I appreciate it...I don't refer to the cna's as "my aides" and I don't like it when the supervisor or DON calls us "her nurses" I find that demeaning also....My job peformance is not a reflection of theirs and the cna's I work with that do perform well do so because they have that work ethic.They take pride in a job well done.They are not brown nosing me to curry favors and then cutting corners behind my back....The best ways to let the good staff know they are appreciated is by doing your part to weed out the others...We all know that many times we tend to ignore poor performance because we are busy and it's so much trouble to document and follow through but we owe it to our patients and co-workers ......But there is no harm in buying luch now and then....or bringing in breakfast....

Sue7573 · May 25, 2005

" I know I if I make it in to the LVN class in August I will never be that kind of nurse. I think the most reward a CNA .. a good CNA can get is a nurse that understands her/his work load and is willing to help when he/she can. "

I often say that and I want to be the best nurse I can be. That is the main reason I refuse to work in the nursing home I am currently at as a nurse. We had a nurse that was awesome she helped out when she could she would stand up for the nurse aides and was all around the best nurse I had ever met. She was fresh out of school and had worked as an aide in the same nursing home while in school. She was making the other nurses look BAD eventually they (being the administration) loaded her up with paperwork and riding her tail for every little thing until she couldn't help us any more. She tried but couldn't for the trouble she would get into (of course the trouble was never from helping us) any way she still works there and she is still a very good nurse but she is not the awesome nurse she was before. And now all the nurses like her because she is just like them. (most of them) I don't want being a good nurse beat out of me.

Sue