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National Career
Now as never before, attention is being directed to care of our elders and disabled citizens and greater attention also is directed to the workers who provide hands-on-care and caring. The question is not just about skills and training but also how to bring more stability, respect, decency, consideration, support and collaboration to the fabric of everyday life for both resident or client and worker. In order to do this we must be able to work in tandem with our role models, peers, supervisors, clients, families, community, legislators, public policy officials, media and others. And National Nursing Assistants’ Week provides a timely opportunity to foster and showcase the wonderful things that can happen for residents and workers when we work together for quality care and respect. Can WE do this? “Yes, WE can”
CAREER NURSING ASSISTANTS DAY: June 10, 2010 The First Day of Nursing Assistants and Direct Care Workers Week--June 10, 2010--is designated as National Career Nursing Assistants’ Day to recognize nursing assistants who have dedicated their lives to the well-being of others for 5 to as many as 58 years. These “Wisdom Keepers” © play an important role in showcasing “Teamwork” because they are the “Historians of What Works.” They have developed a wide repertoire of soft skills for bringing resources, time and services together. For ideas on how to commemorate this special day, see our 2009 Planning Guide & PR Kit.
THE EIGHT DAYS OF NATIONAL NURSING ASSISTANTS WEEK: June 11-18, 2009 Each day of National Nursing Assistants’ Week 2009 addresses a different aspect of “Yes, WE Can” © and provides ideas, discussion guides, program plans and other resources that can be used for NAW and throughout the year. Programs initiated during National Nursing Assistants Week are designed to continue throughout the year. Yes WE Can...
For ideas on how to commemorate this special week, see our 2009 Planning Guide & PR Kit.
CREATE A REASON TO CELEBRATE NOW! Recognition for direct care workers has seemed to grow slightly in the past few years. While some of this recognition has to do with a growing awareness of the professional contribution of direct care workers, and is very welcomed, there has also been an increase in displays of "recognition" that are somewhat less sincere and driven by other motives. This last kind of superficial "pat on the back" might help people feel good for awhile, but not really change care practices for either the workers or the people they care for. What really changes things is when people come to a genuine understanding of the fundamental role that direct care workers have in creating quality in long term care in this country. Real change for the better only starts when people begin to understand the actual skills it takes to do this work. The very best way for this kind of genuine recognition and real change to happen is for direct care workers to advocate for themselves! Direct care workers have to take it upon themselves to educate the public, state and federal government agencies, and, in particular, their elected officials about the nature of the work and what workers need to do the job right. Here are some ideas that you can use to advocate for yourself:
The time to act is right now! YOU are the Great American Caregiver and this is your year. Make National Nurse Assistant’s Week a time, not just accept recognition from others, but a time to celebrate all the things you have done already to make your profession everything it can be!
NURSING ASSISTANT AUTHORS: CALL FOR ESSAYS 2009
Especially for: Nursing Assistants, Caregivers, Care Assistants, Home Care Aides, Geriatric Assistants, Resident Assistants, Personal Care Workers, Restorative Aides, Health Care Assistants, and other direct care providers in Nursing Homes, In-Home Care, Hospice, Assisted Living, and other Long Term Care Settings Nursing assistants and DCWs provide hands on care, but they also make a difference in the lives of the people in their care. This year, we want to showcase some of the creative ways you work with others in difficult situations, or to provide comfort, alleviate stress, encourage friendships, or create greater safety and well-being for our elder or disabled citizens. 2009'S QUESTIONS:
The Nursing Assistant’s Authors Project is a highlight of Nursing Assistants Week since 1978. The current title, "Yes, We Can” and focuses on Teamwork in the care setting. Just tell us about ways that you work with others to make care better for your residents, your coworkers and yourself as well. The 11th in this series of “Tips by Nursing Assistants for Nursing Assistants” ©. In return, you will be included in “Tips” and receive a complementary copy when it is printed, and receive info about including this achievement in your resume. Entries can be typed, handwritten or emailed, and must include your name, address and phone number. Please limit your essay to two paragraphs. If possible, enclose photos of those involved. Submit your own entry - or work with other nursing assistant(s) to develop a Team Entry by May 15, 2009 for special recognition during National NA Week. Entries must be received by November 15, 2009 to be considered for publication in the next Tips booklet. Click here to print the submission form
TEN STEPS FOR PLANNING click here for a printer-friendly version It is not too early to begin planning for the 33nd Annual National Nursing Assistants Week June 10-17, 2010. Safe Lifting is the focus and your Safety Committee is in the spot light. Each day of NAW addresses a different aspect of “Safe” competencies of caring for both caregiver and resident. 1. Get excited about the wonderful possibilities for honoring our important health care workers - Start talking and brainstorming about creative projects and programs that can be developed in your facility or in your area. 2. Bring people together for planning – The 33rd Annual. Nationwide observance of National Nursing Assistants Week provides many opportunities that are fun and also rewarding during NA Week but also throughout the year. It is not too early to appoint a Planning Committee to pull this all together. 3. Ask your Mayor to proclaim the week - Community awareness of the unique contributions of the nursing assistant can be enhanced when your Mayor proclaims Nursing Assistants’ Week to the citizens of your community. A Proclamation suitable for signing by your mayor or public official can be ordered at minimal cost at the address below or downloaded at no cost at our web site at < www.cna-network.org> Start your NAW Scrapbook now. 4. Brainstorm ways to recognize and honor nursing assistants - Nursing assistants can be a wonderful source of creative ideas when they know they are not being tested. Often the most “far-out” ideas are the most relevant and successful. The goal is to generate as many good ideas as possible and involve as many people as possible. Teams can be an effective way to generate ideas and also build positive communications. 5. Select and organize your projects and programs – Your Safety Committee is in the spotlight this year and projects include: Safe Competencies for Caring, Road Signs for Safe Lifting, “Achey Breaky Back,” Wisdom Keepers; and create your own TV show or work on your production of “I am a Team Player at the Safe Lifting Fair.” Have fun while sending an important message to others. Each day of NA Week provides a unique opportunity to focus on a different aspect of “Safe Lifting” Projects initiated during NA Week 2010 can be continued throughout the year for value added. Work on a committee, use your own great ideas, download materials from our web site, or purchase the NAW Planning and PR Guide (see below) The Planning Guide includes activities for each day of NAW and suggestions of ways you can continue these programs throughout the year. It also includes discussion guides, sample press release, Proclamation forms, certificate master, and info for planning. 6. Involve public officials and community leaders - In addition to signing a Proclamation, your Mayor may want to attend your celebration activities and may even have some ideas of his/her own. A Deputy Mayor in one state invited local Nursing Assistants Week Committee Members to her home for a home cooked gourmet meal. 7. Promote your events to the community - Newspapers, TV and radio stations are interested in local events and may provide special coverage of your events. Media representatives can provide guidelines for submission of your release. 8. Promote your projects in the facility – Internal networking can get people involved and build anticipation for the good we can do when we work together. Posters or invitations can be made by the NA Committee, a craft class, the Resident’s Council, family members or the local high school or college. Include in your scrapbook. 9. Keep it moving – It is June 10 - the first day of the 33rd Annual National Nursing Assistants Week. Your staff will cover resident care. You invited the newspaper to photograph your “Most Service Years Recipient.” Residents are busy coaching nursing assistants about hair styles and how to smile at the camera. The pins and t-shirts are ready for awards and the names are spelled correctly on the certificates. Your check off list is complete. You just brought it all together. Enjoy. 10. Plan to plan for next year - What was the best thing you did for Nursing Assistants Week? What would you like to do differently next year? Answering these important questions now will help your plans go even better next year. A final summary of your activities and outcomes – expected and unexpected can be a part of your scrapbook. Need more ideas? See our 2010 Planning Guide & PR Kit.
FIFTY WAYS TO SAY "THANK YOU" TO NURSING ASSISTANTS Nursing assistants are key players in the lives of the people in their care, and each nursing assistant is called to create an environment of caring for the resident or client and the worker as well. The nationwide observance of Nursing Assistant’s Week provides many opportunities to recognize and validate the role of the nursing assistant in the health care system. Public recognition of nursing assistants provides a valuable service, not only for making nursing assistants more visible, but also, to lessen the concern by family members when a loved one is in need of special care. The annual observance of Nurse Assistants’ Week and Career Nurse Assistants’ Day is a special time to celebrate and recognize the efforts of the Nurse Assistant in long-term care services. Here are a few ways to say thank you to this important worker:
Need more ideas? See our 2009 Planning Guide & PR Kit.
celebrations across the country We will be updating this list frequently -- so check back often! Click on the state/territory abbreviation:
If you are coordinating a state celebration, send details to cnajeni@aol.com and we will will them to this list.
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33rd Annual National