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35th Annual National
Nursing Assistants Week
June 14-21, 2012

National Career 
Nursing Assistants Day
June 14, 2012

Now as never before, attention is being directed to care of our elder and disabled citizens and greater attention also is directed to the workers who provide hands-on-care and caring.

The 35th annual National Nursing Assistants’ Week provides a timely opportunity to foster and showcase the wonderful things that can happen for residents and workers when we join together in planning your special Week, “Nursing Assistants @ the Heart of Care.”

Fun projects can also be educational. NA Week Projects for 2012 include Recognition events, Mayor Proclamations, memos to families and news releases; and also include Programs such as the "Meeting the Future with Skill and Confidence;" "Making friends with IT;" Preventing Rehospitalizations; Info tech for care plans;  Nursing Assistants Input to  the New MDS;  Person Centered Care and Palliative care.  We also continue the focus on Safe Lifting and decreasing worker injuries. 

In order to make a difference, we need to seek out and involve our role models, peers, supervisors, clients, families, community, legislators, public policy officials, media and others.  Nursing Assistants Week provides a venue to bring folks together to create projects and programs that will continue throughout the year for the benefit of all.

CAREER NURSING ASSISTANTS DAY: June 14, 2012

The First Day of Nursing Assistants and Direct Care Workers Week--June 14, 2012--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 “Safe Lifting” because they are the “Historians of What Works.” They have developed a wide repertoire of skills and wisdom about how to prevent injuries to self and others. Click here for more info about National Twenty Year Club.

Click here to join the National Twenty Year Club.

For ideas on how to commemorate this special day, see our 2011 Planning Guide & PR Kit.

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REASONS TO 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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CALL FOR ESSAYS AND PROJECTS FOR 2012
Also see our 2011 Planning Guide & PR Kit

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"Nursing Assistants Authors"
Call for Essays and Projects 2012

• Share your wisdom and ideas for creating a safe care setting for workers and residents as well

• Help others understand the important work of the nursing assistant

• Become a published author

• Win prizes at the NA Convention 2012

Many changes are occurring in health care today.  Projects for NAWeek are designed to help the NA recognize achievements and growth of the past and  respond in positive ways to some of the new demands and opportunities.   Focus areas include: Professional Development, Care Skills, Soft Competencies, Work place Relationships and Self Advocacy.   Safety Committees remain in the spot light to foster Safe Patient Handling and decrease worker and resident injury.  This year, we want to showcase  some of your growth experiences as a NA and your ideas about how to create a better future for NAs. Projects initated for National Nursing Assistants Week are designed to continue throughout the year to address New Roles and New Goals of  nursing assistants and other hands on workers in health care services.

Work by yourself, with your team or  committee, or with colleagues to produce an essay, photos, audio tape or video tape. 

NURSING ASSISTANTS: NEW ROLES, NEW GOALS
Choose one or more of the following formats

Especially for: Nursing Assistants, Caregivers, Care Assistants, Home Care Aides, Geriatric Assistants, Resident Assistants, Restorative Aides, Health Care Assistants, and other direct care providers in Nursing Homes, In-Home Care, Hospice, Assisted Living, prisons, schools and other Long Term Care Settings

1. HOW HAS YOUR WORK CHANGED SINCE YOU STARTED TO WORK AS A NURSING ASSISTANT?  Just tell us what you did as a NA when you first started and the  new equipment; new  approaches to wandering or confused residents; new procedures; new positions; and  new ways of working together that have occurred in your work setting..  How has the work setting itself changed and how has your approach to safety on the job changed as well?  

2. HOW DO YOU THINK THE POSITION OF NURSING ASSISTANT WILL CHANGE IN THE NEXT 5-10 YEARS?   The demand for nursing assistants can only increase as our aging population increases.  But tomorrows residents will have their own ideas about the services and settings. The Culture Change will create new models for care.  NAs must take a more active role with MDS and other reporting systems.  Computers usage will increase in health care.  New equipment and programs will address safety for workers and residents alike.   New models will be developed for advancement at the bedside and into other health care positions. Just tell us your view of the future for NAs?  What do you want to be doing in the next 5-10 years in  your job and what skills do you think you will need to do this? In what ways does the care setting itself need to change to respond to these new directions?  

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 June 1, 2011 to be eligible for  special discounts and inclusion on our web site.

Click here to print the submission form

Mail completed entry to:

National Network of Career Nursing Assistants
3577 Easton Road
Norton, Ohio 44203-5661
PH: (330) 825 9342 Fax: (330) 825 9378

TEN STEPS FOR PLANNING

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Planning  

It is not too early to begin planning for the 34th Annual National Nursing Assistants Week June 16-23, 2011.  The Slogan for NAWeek ‘11 is “New Roles: New Goals.” Many changes are occurring in health care today and  Projects for NAWeek are designed to help the NA recognize and respond in positive ways to some of the new demands and opportunities.    

Who are Career Nursing Assistants?  

Nursing assistants are key players in the lives of the people in their care. Each day, more than 4.5  million caregivers provide hands-on care to our nation’s frail, elderly, or chronically challenged citizens in nursing homes and other long term care settings.  These important workers have various titles including: Nursing Assistant, Direct Care Worker, Nurse Aide, Care Assistant, Caregiver, Hospice Aide, In-Home Care Aide, Resident Assistant, Hospice Assistant, Geriatric Aide, Restorative Aide, Health Care Assistant, and others  

Steps  

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 34th 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 – Projects include: Professional Development, Care Skills, Soft Competencies, Work place Relationships and Self Advocacy.   Safety Committees are also in the spot light to foster Safe Patient Handling and decrease worker and resident injury.    
   
   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 “New Roles New Goals” Projects initiated during NA Week 2011 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 16 - the first day of the 34th 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.

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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 2010 Planning Guide & PR Kit.

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celebrations across the country

If you are coordinating a local or state celebration, send details to cnajeni@aol.com and we will add them to this list.

© 2009-2012 Career Nurse Assistants Programs Inc. All rights reserved.

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