Certified nursing assistants in long-term care facilities: perceptions of their initial training program
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2002-04-09
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Throughout the country, long-term care (LTC) facilities are faced with the challenge of providing residents with the essential care that this growing population deserves. One of the biggest challenges is the critical shortage of certified nursing assistants (CNAs) within the LTC industry. These essential frontline workers provide 90% of the care needed by residents living within these facilities. CNA training programs struggle to provide the LTC industry with well qualified care providers. This critical shortage is compounded by a career track that has maintained an excessively high turnover rate. Effective training programs could have a positive impact on this situation by preparing individuals with quality, realistic experiences during their initial training. Therefore, educators and regulatory agencies must be aware of the connection between the entire learning experience and the development of the CNA's clinical care skills.Following an extensive literature review, a 45-item questionnaire was developed to determine if a relationship exists in the perceptions by the CNA of their initial training program and (1) the number of months since graduation; (2) the county they were employed; and (3) the type of state-approved training program they attended. The questionnaire was administered to 222 CNAs in eight LTC facilities within four counties of Western North Carolina.CNAs identified the instructor as having an important role related to the elements of effective teaching/learning. Interestingly, some CNAs felt that the length of the training program was 'too short' in relation to the skills needed to care for residents living in LTC facilities. Other CNAs reported that the 'clinical skills' was of most value to them, as related to the number of months since graduation. CNAs also identified components related to overall job satisfaction and the highest-ranking item was the 'ability to work as a team'; followed by the 'number of residents I care for each day'. This study will provide a foundation for future research in using an established questionnaire regarding CNA's perceptions of their initial training and will provide individuals with the needed information to address job satisfaction for CNAs working in LTC facilities.
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EdD
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Adult and Community College Education
