We all know that ongoing education leads to reduced turnover and greater job satisfaction. Not to mention that
Do your CNAs retain knowledge from inservices?
continuing education is a yearly requirement for nurse aides! But, how do you know the information you provide to your nurse aides “sticks?” Here are some staggering statistics regarding adult learning retention. Over a period of three days:
- Adults retain 10% of information that is read
- Adults retain 30% of information that is seen
- Adults retain 50% of information that is seen and heard
- Adults retain 90% of information that is said and done (applying learning to real life situations)
Many factors affect adult learning retention including age, level of prior education and motivation. In some of our previous posts, we have given you ideas on how to motivate your nurse aides by keeping education fresh and interesting. Below are some additional strategies your organization can take with continuing education to ensure that your nurse aides actually retain the information you are giving them.
- Touch upon a medley of learning styles – As you know, our inservices may be used in a group setting or as self-study modules. If you choose self-study, perhaps get the group in a few times a year to interact in team activities.
- Encourage nurse aide participation – If using the self-study option, set aside time to address any questions your nursing assistants may have regarding the inservice material. If using group participation, use real-life situations, etc. to stimulate discussion.
- Use variety – Adding visual aides to reading material, such as PowerPoints, greatly enhances learning retention.
- Use active learning – Group discussions and activities, problem solving activities that involve critical thinking skills, games, etc. all lead to greater learning retention.
- Review job performance – Check for retention by making sure your caregivers are applying what they have learned to their responsibilities. Give continuous feedback and address any issues as they arise.
What do you do to make sure your nurse aides retain the information you share with them? Please share any tips and suggestions with us. We would love to hear from you!
