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32nd Annual National
Nursing Assistants Week
June 11-18, 2009

National Career 
Nursing Assistants Day
June 11, 2009

Yes, WE Can!
Teamwork

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 11, 2009

The First Day of Nursing Assistants and Direct Care Workers Week--June 11, 2009--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.

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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...

• Day 1 - Honoring our Wisdom Keepers ©

• Day 2 - Honoring the power of “WE” ©

• Day 3 - Teamwork, the Language of “WE”

• Day 4 - Lightning the Load

• Day 5 - Solving Problems Together

• Day 6 - Taking our Place at the Table

• Day 7 - Sharing Outcomes

• Day 8 - Reaching Out to Peers

For ideas on how to commemorate this special week, see our 2009 Planning Guide & PR Kit.

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CREATE A REASON TO CELEBRATE NOW!
From William Painter, Past President of Board NNCNA, Advisor to the Male Nursing Assistant Task Force

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:

1. Make sure that you and your co-workers are registered to vote.

2. Educate yourself and co-workers about the political issues that affect your jobs and the care you give. (Check news stories. Pay special attention to potential cuts in Medicaid and job-training, and regulation changes. Talk to people in senior’s and disabilities organizations.)

3. Get to know your lawmakers! Call your legislators. Write letters. Find out who the big wheels in long term care are in your state legislature and contact them. Get a small group together and make an appointment.

4. Practice your message and avoid complaining - be assertive and professional. It is your government and your money being spent! Don’t be chicken! They hear from the other "experts", but if they are ever going to understand how it really is, they have got to hear directly from you!

5. Look for and create opportunities to speak to churches, civic organizations, seniors groups, etc.

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!

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NURSING ASSISTANT AUTHORS: CALL FOR ESSAYS 2009

• Share your wisdom and ideas for working with others for better care

• Help others understand the important work of the nursing assistant

• Become a published author and receive a free copy of your published work

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:

1. How does teamwork among co-workers make a better environment for residents and workers as well? 2

2. What do I know now about teamwork that I wish I had known when I first started as a NA?

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

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 32nd annual nation-wide 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 or downloaded at no cost. 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 – Plan to do some “Cartooning for Teams;” work on an “I am a Team Player at the Skin Fair,” “I Choose Respect” or “Taking Care of Self “ - and have fun while you are sending an important messages to others. Each day of NA Week provides a unique opportunity to focus on a different aspect of “TEAMWORKS.” Projects initiated during NA Week 2009 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. 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 11 ... the first day of the 32nd 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 2009 Planning Guide & PR Kit.

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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:

1. Display photos of your NAs with notes about favorite foods, hobbies or families.

2. Plan an awards ceremony and invite your mayor and local and state legislators.

3. Conduct a Poster Contest or Essay Contest about Teamwork.

4. Select teams of nursing assistants to conduct Daily Dialogues during the 8 days of National Nursing Assistants’ Week.

5. Create a poster consisting of "thank you" notes from family members and staff. Include pictures of your nurse assistants. When complete, enlarge your poster to 5X8 feet and post it in a prominent place.

6. Provide computer training for nursing assistants and encourage them to connect with resources and nursing assistant groups in other areas.

7. Ask NAs to write and star in a video about your nursing home.

8. Enroll eligible Career Nurse Assistants as members in the National Network of Career Nursing Assistants or the National Twenty Year Club.

9. Convene a Council or Chapter of the National Network of Career Nursing Assistants in your facility or area.

10. Conduct a special project during NA Week. Give your NAs the responsibility, authority and guidelines for planning.

Need more ideas? See our 2009 Planning Guide & PR Kit.

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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. 

© 2009 Career Nurse Assistants Programs Inc. All rights reserved.

Genevieve Gipson RN MEd RNC, Director • cnajeni@aol.com