Facilitating Change Among Nursing Assistants in Long Term Care

Author(s):  
Francois Aubry ◽  
Francis Etheridge ◽  
Yves Couturier

In this article, the authors consider the implementation of change in long term care organizations (LTCOs) and present their study describing the process by which new nursing assistants are informally integrated into LTCOs in Quebec, Canada. The study method included 23 in-depth interviews with nursing assistants in two long term care centres. The findings enabled the authors to describe the informal process by which new nursing assistants are integrated into LTCOs and the manner in which informal work strategies enhance the work of nursing care, thus enabling the nursing assistants to manage heavy workloads. The authors discuss whether this teamwork is a deterrent to change or a lever for change and address issues regarding the collective structure of nursing assistant teams. Implications for practice include a Five-Step Innovation Plan. In conclusion, the authors propose that organizational change among nursing assistants in a LTCO is best accomplished when the leaders consider the nursing assistants’ strong sense of community to be a change engine rather than a change obstacle.

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 675-675
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Eaton ◽  
Kristin Cloyes ◽  
Brooke Paulsen ◽  
Connie Madden ◽  
Lee Ellington

Abstract Nursing assistants (NAs) provide 80% of direct care in long-term care settings, yet are seldom viewed as skilled professionals. Empowering NAs is linked to improved resident outcomes. In this study, we collaborate with NAs to adapt and test the feasibility and acceptability of arts-based creative caregiving techniques (CCG) for use in long-term care. We held a series of focus groups (n=14) to adapt, refine, and enhance usability. We then evaluated implementation in two waves of testing (n=8). Those working in memory care units were more likely to use all techniques, while those working in rehabilitation were more hesitant to implement. Participants reported using CCG to distract upset residents. Family members were excited about implementation, and NAs not participating wanted to learn CCG. Nursing assistants have the potential to become experts in creative caregiving but may require in-depth training to improve use.


2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 57-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward H Wagner

Residents in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities comprise a large percentage of the deaths from Covid 19. Is this inevitable or are there problems with NHs and their care that increase the susceptibility of their residents. The first U.S. cluster of cases involved the residents, staff, and visitors of a Seattle-area nursing home. Study of this cluster suggested that infected staff members were transmitting the disease to residents. The quality of nursing home care has long been a concern and attributed to chronic underfunding and resulting understaffing. Most NH care is delivered by minimally trained nursing assistants whose low pay and limited benefits compel them to work in multiple long-term care settings, increasing their risk of infection, and work while ill. More comparative studies of highly infected long-term care facilities with those organizations that were able to better protect their residents are urgently needed. Early evidence suggests that understaffing of registered nurses may increase the risk of larger outbreaks.


2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (9) ◽  
pp. 940-945 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah Patterson Burdsall ◽  
Sue E. Gardner ◽  
Thomas Cox ◽  
Marin Schweizer ◽  
Kennith R. Culp ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 325-333
Author(s):  
Feliciano Villar ◽  
Josep Fabà ◽  
Rodrigo Serrat ◽  
Montserrat Celdrán ◽  
Teresa Martínez

ABSTRACTObjectives:To explore the extent to which staff members in long-term care facilities (LTCF) have experienced situations of sexual harassment, how they commonly and ideally manage the situation, and how their work position influences their responses.Design:Cross-sectional quantitative study, using the vignette technique.Method:A total of 2,196 staff-members who were currently working in Spanish LTCF participated in the study. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Questions regarding sexual harassment were analysed by a vignette that described a case of sexual harassment. Participants had to choose common and best practices for dealing with the case, and report the frequency with which they had experienced similar situations.Results:The results indicate that 29.9% of participants had experienced an episode of sexual harassment in a LTCF similar to the one presented in the vignette. Responses to the situation were diverse and there were significant differences between common and perceived best practices. Differences were also found depending on the work position of the participant (manager, technical staff or nursing assistant).Conclusions:There is a need for a fuller recognition of the sexual needs of older people. However, the presence of inappropriate sexual behavior must also be acknowledged. The right of staff to work in an environment free of harassment must be respected. The need for explicit institutional guidelines and training opportunities is discussed.


2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. 636-636
Author(s):  
K. Cloyes ◽  
J. Eaton ◽  
L. Ellington

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