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Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Nursing Homes: Managers, CNA’s (Certified Nursing Assistants), Residents

Sometimes I read research that has fairly predictable results. But the fact that the results were discovered through research validates them more. Consider these words: nursing homes, managers, CNA’s, residents, satisfaction. There is a general thread that connects them in a nursing home setting.

It’s common knowledge that managers generally set the tone at the workplace. Having been a school principal, I know that to be true. This research focused on the role managers play in creating a person-centered workplace. In order to develop this kind of workplace, managers must interact with staff in ways that will encourage their satisfaction, loyalty, and commitment. When this is done successfully, residents benefit.

In this 2007 research study explained in the “Journal of the American Medical Directors Association,” CNA’s and residents’ families from 156 nursing facilities completed surveys to measure their satisfaction, loyalty, and commitment. I already knew CNA’s would have plenty to say on this, because these are popular topics when I talk to them at nursing homes I visit as a hospice volunteer. The survey responses were analyzed.

What was the conclusion of the research? You’re probably way ahead of me. The conclusion was that the work setting that managers establish greatly impacts the lives of the CNA’s. Caring managers who produce a person-centered workplace can inspire workers to become excellent caregivers who enhance the lives of patients. This principle is so simple and so important. It’s a shame it’s not practiced in all workplaces.

Frances Shani Parker, Author
"Becoming Dead Right: A Hospice Volunteer in Urban Nursing Homes”
Hospice and Nursing Homes Blog

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