As you are well aware, a nurse aide’s job can be quite stressful. Being on the frontlines of client care is tough! Most nursing assistants are not fully prepared for the challenges that lie ahead on a daily basis. As a result, job burnout and quick turnaround of CNAs are very real problems being faced by many administrators.
One way to help reduce the stress felt by your nurse aides is to implement a relaxed (but professional) continuing education program. Here are some ideas for doing just that:
Home Study…Having the flexibility to study the material from the comfort of home is a great option. With In the Know inservices, you have the freedom to make as many copies as you need (within your single facility) of the inservice topic. You can send the learning materials home with your aides. (If you have email addresses for your CNAs, you can also simply email the “learner’s section” of the inservice to each of them.) All you’ll have to do is grade and file their quizzes! This method allows your CNAs to complete their necessary continuing education at their own pace.
Grab a Partner…Allow your aides to partner up (or assign them a study partner). Most of the time, having to work with someone else creates a higher sense of accountability. Working as partners also fosters teamwork, promotes problem-solving skills and gets your CNAs talking amongst themselves about the learning materials. They can think out loud, share ideas and learn from one another.
Take It As It Comes…Another idea is to create a library of inservices that is accessible to your CNAs during their work hours. Develop a “sign up sheet” (or use the one provided by In the Know). Then, allow your nurse aides to complete the inservices at work “on the clock” as time allows. Not only will you have more time for other aspects of your job, but your aides will feel like they are in control of their own learning.
With a flexible inservice plan, you’ll head off burnout and CNA turnover at your workplace. For more information, give us a call at 877-809-5515.
Do you have any different methods for inservicing your CNAs that you’d like to share? We would love to hear them!
