The Imperatives are the "to do" list developed by nursing assistants for nursing assistants, developed in the National Forums (1994-2001) and with input from NAs in surveys, focus groups, questionnaires, email, message boards and other means.

The Imperatives are a series of statements about what we believe is possible and some ways we will do this. They provide direction for our joint efforts.  During the National Forums, we discussed what has been accomplished in these areas and how to move forward to affect positive changes in these and other areas.

The Imperatives for Action: Our “To Do” List

1.         To continue to create a National Voice for Nursing Assistants

Action

·         Foster self-directed groups. 

·         Foster NA participation on planning or policy committees for local, state and national policy groups and in inservice meetings or workshops.

·         Develop guidelines and dialogues for nursing assistant responder panels. 

·         Create additional Position Statements on specified topics relating to NAs.

·         Involve additional chapters and groups in planning for the National Nursing Assistants Week and other local and national projects.

·         Expand the Nursing Assistant as Authors Program.

·         Develop a comprehensive plan for contributing to journals and other publications

·         Publish or disseminate the findings of the Position Statement Project by Nursing Assistants.

2.         To promote career development programs and ethical foundations for nursing assistant care

      Action

·         Continue to develop the "National Code of Ethics for Nursing Assistants"

·         Develop Standards of Practice, a hierarchy of skills and competencies actually required of the nursing assistant in performance of daily tasks of care.

·         Seek avenues to redefine the role, responsibilities, training needs and unique position of the nursing assistant in the health care system

·         Provide Leadership Training and promote Chapter development on local, state and national levels

·         Develop guidelines for a Nursing Assistants Speakers Bureau.

3.         To facilitate networking and collaborative projects among nursing assistants related groups, organizations, educators, physicians, researchers, publishers, and others.

      Action

·         Continue to develop the Task Lists for Individual Members, Chapters, Twenty Year Club, Savvy Authors Group, and other groups of the NNCNA.

·         Develop collaborative projects and liaison between the Network and other related organizations.

·         Disseminate information to help nursing assistants use NA related Internet connections.

·         Foster continued development of the Nursing Assistant Internet Committee and the Male NA Task Force on Staffing.

·         Increase visibility of the National Network of Career Nursing Assistants with other professional and funding organizations.

4.         To foster peer group development on local, state and national levels.

Action

·         Promote peer support, group development for nursing assistants on facility, local, state and national levels.

·         Develop on-going programs for mentoring for Chapter development.

·         Maintain regular contact with chapters and the Nursing Assistant Leadership Council.

·         Develop strategies for funding for Task Force and Chapter Development.

5.         To develop additional resources for career growth and program development.

Action

·         Collaborate with others to develop a clearinghouse for nursing assistant related resources.

Seek funding to develop and implement a Resource Center for Nursing Assistants that can be replicated in other parts of the country.

For more information contact:

  Genevieve Gipson RN M.Ed. RNC

  National Network of Career Nursing Assistants

  Career Nurse Assistants Programs, Inc

  3577 Easton Road

  Norton, Ohio 44203.

  (330) 825 9342

  (330) 825 9378-fax

  cnajeni@aol.com