What would make you feel...

[Kelly_the_Great]

like a valued member of the nursing team?

My hospital is attempting to create a culture change at our facility in which staff are empowered to create positive changes in their work environment and the quality of the services we provide.

I think it's important that ALL staff be involved. And I also feel that CNAs/UAP/PCAs are an essential part of the nursing team. However, I feel that our CNA team does not feel valued or a part of the "team."

We have a newly formed nurse practice committee and from that we are developing sub-committees, in which I hope to create an opportunity for representation from CNAs and ward clerks. So that's one initiative.

But I'd like to be able to provide outside resource materials for them as well and am having difficulty finding publications that are specific to paraprofessional healthcare workers. Do you guys know of any? Particularly, do you know of any that are in print? Like a CNA magazine? I can not find anything!

Well, I'll look forward to your input. And let me close by saying appreciate all that you do, quality patient care couldn't happen without you!

P.S. We're also going to be piloting a new program to include acuity measurement with staffing assignments - hopefully this will provide better assignments for the CNAs as well & allow them to work more closely with the nurse (as opposed to 2 CNAs having to pair up just to get the patients on the unit's personal care needs met).

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

Try a google search. I remember years ago, there was a website specific to nursing assistants. It was pretty good. I do think that there should be a CNA publication as well. LPNs and RNs have them, so, why not the CNAs? Also, you may start an egroup at Yahoo for nursing assistants. They used to have plenty of them as well in the past. It is free and you can manage the group the way that you want. Good luck! Just make sure that you let them know how they influence patient care and how important it is to update them on the progress patients are making under their care.

[jb2u, ASN, RN]

I do remember seeing a CNA Magazine before, but I believe that it was more for CNAs in LTC. Anyway, I agree with the above, try a google search.

[Ginny Weasley]

There is a very good website just for CNA's. It's called NursingAssistants.net I learned alot from that website. It has lots of tips on resident care, etc. Check it out : )