teaching materials to share with my CNAs

beatrice1 · Feb 23, 2012

I guess I should be more specific, I am talking about materials on things like dehydration...ect. Why I&O's are important...ect

Bea

CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN · Feb 24, 2012

Unless they are new to CNA, for the most part, they should know all of this already. I get where you are coming from thought. I don't have any info or teaching stuff for this, but have educated the staff on the "why it is needed" part of what i ask for and what we do.

example..dehydration. Most of the CNAs or people know that if you don't drink or eat you can become dehydrated...if you've ever had someone dehydrated to the point where the skin is tenting show the CNA this. Show them what you look for beside the I? O

LibAnne10 · Feb 25, 2012

This site has some excellent information to share with staff:

http://www.dads.state.tx.us/qualitymatters//qcp/nf/index.html

I hope it helps!

Libby, RN, DON

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Feb 25, 2012

Unless they are new to CNA, for the most part, they should know all of this already. I get where you are coming from thought. I don't have any info or teaching stuff for this, but have educated the staff on the "why it is needed" part of what i ask for and what we do.
example..dehydration. Most of the CNAs or people know that if you don't drink or eat you can become dehydrated...if you've ever had someone dehydrated to the point where the skin is tenting show the CNA this. Show them what you look for beside the I? O

You'd be surprised how many CNA's who've been doing it for years have no idea to the 'why' it's so important. To many it's just more useless paperwork. I've noticed if you explained the 'why' to the need for accurate I&O documentation etc they tend to be more deligent on getting the info. Showing them the trends that can be seen ie:more out than in, more in than out etc

Also, many don't understand how quickly the elderly can become dehydrated. Educating them on the importance of offering various types of fluids to the residents and doing so frequently also helps in their participation with getting the elderly to drink.

I've had many CNA's get that ahh-haaa look when I explain the 'whys' to what I need and what I'm asking for. They then understand the importance of it. If you show them the reasons getting accurate I&O is important and the consequences of not having an accurate record, many are more on board with it.

A visual might help. Fill up some of the cups at the facility (usually the 120-150mL plastic cups) with the amount of mL's a patient took on one shift and show them how much/little it really is. Then ask them how many water bottles they drink during their shift. It makes it much more real that the resident aren't taking in what they need to. I work 3-11 and did this with the CNA's on my wing. They didn't get that I was a little upset with how little Mr Smith had taken in. I poured the amount into the little plastic cups and showed them that 240mL is NOT much at all. They all stated that when they drink from those cups they need at least 3 or 4 to quench their thirst just one time for each time they want/need a drink..and there ya go..exactly what I was trying to convey!

lumbarpain, ADN, RN · Feb 25, 2012

I worked in Geriatrics for 17 years and my first job was the greatest, before the shift would start I would take 10-15 before the shift started out with my CNAs to discuss the most pertinant disease on the floor or gear it to the season, such as allergies, flu season, hot weather emergencies, etc. I would give a small simple quiz at the end, so each can hand it in at the end of their shift to see how much knowledge was retained or knew about the condition. I also treated my CNAs to chinese, Italian food at times twice a month. it was nice. And I never really had problems with them at all. Only a chosen few. Hope this helps. I found I had a better repore with the aides than the nurses...why? I dont know.

conscientiousnurse · Mar 5, 2012

"You'd be surprised how many CNA's who've been doing it for years have no idea to the 'why' it's so important. To many it's just more useless paperwork. I've noticed if you explained the 'why' to the need for accurate I&O documentation etc they tend to be more deligent on getting the info. Showing them the trends that can be seen ie:more out than in, more in than out etc

Also, many don't understand how quickly the elderly can become dehydrated."

As a CNA educator for a private school, I'd just like to give you some idea about how much you can expect the brand-new CNAs to know. (Those who've been CNAs for longer will have more education, since they've been having inservices, etc.) In my state, CNAs are only expected to have a minimum of 85 hours training, which includes at least 40 hours of clinicals in a nursing facility. At least in my school, we don't have time to cover the theory portion of class extensively, since we also need to get them up to speed on the practical skills. So, I can't guarantee that all my students would pick up those points you mentioned (the reasoning behind I&O, how easily people get dehydrated) in a good way, during the course. Depending on who's with them at clinicals, we may try to make up some lack while talking to them during that practicum, but there is only so many points you'll have time to cover during 85 hours of training. That's why on-the-job training and inservices are so important.

lumbarpain, ADN, RN · Mar 6, 2012

I am a brand new RN working in LTC which I LOVE. I have a pretty good repoire with most of the CNAs. Most of them are good workers but some just seem to do the job to get it done. Especially when it comes to filling out the I&Os and BM list..ect. I would like to "teach" why this information is very important to us nurses as to how our residents condition is changing or imporving...ect. Do any of you have any ideas as to how to give this information in a appropriate way.
I don't think they get enough teaching here and that is why they are so task oriented.
Any suggestions to a new nurse
Bea

I found that just plain reviewing repeatedly makes a difference and doing it very simply and making it fun and interesting. No one likes a boring class. Nursing was bad enough at times if the instructor was just reading things out of a book. A round robin effect is great too, I have found I learned many a thing from my Aides, so they can teach us nurses as well as we do them.