Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) offers healthcare to patients under the supervision of a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or a Registered Nurse (RN) (World Health Organization-WHO, 2010). In spite of there being some issues regarding legality and liability, individuals who carry the title of CNA should uphold strong work ethics and ability because most of them are involved in one-on-one interactions with patients (nursingassistantguides.com). Laziness and bad attitude towards patients breed very bad nurses and Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) whose service can endanger the lives of the self, patients and other health care professionals with whom an ill-mannered health professional works.
In cases where CNA exhibit unbecoming behaviour especially in terms of bad attitude or laziness in responding to patients and supervisors, disciplinary measures must be applied. This is done in order to maintain the integrity of the healthcare profession and ensure that the sanctity of life is upheld (White, 15). Of all the possible responses that can be applied in cases where CNAs exhibit the above described behaviour, it would be most effective if they all got accessed by the supervisor and a report of their conduct maintained through performance record cards (White, 18).
The supervisor fills in a report card on the effectiveness of the CNA. When a CNA registers a given number of “X” for a given behaviour, they should be asked to step aside from their roles. The supervising nurse takes the role of a professional board of directors where the CNA is give an opportunity to defend themselves in a manner similar to what goes on in a court. The board to ensure that the CNAs behave in a stipulated way uses equal and standard metrics to evaluate the level of wrong-doing and therefore the extent to which the given punitive measures are applied (Tideiksaar, 22).
The most common punitive measure applied by boards on their members is the loss of certification. In this case, the board revokes the certificate that it issued to a member. Tideiksaar advises that decision should be final and the bar to appeal for recertification should be set particularly high to prevent numerous wanton requests for recertification (24). However, it is prudent that decisions to revoke certificates be challengeable in a court of law to avoid witch-hunting and unfair dismissal of CNAs due to personal misunderstanding between them and their supervisors.
This punitive measure is advocated for by the founders of the National Association of Healthcare Assistants (NAHCA) led by Lori Porter. Lori is the current Chief Executive Officer of the association. She served as a Certified Nursing Assistant for seven years, a nursing home administrator for seven years and sixteen years as the leader of the NAFCA. She is known for her dedication to see CNAs deliver quality service to patients as she is of the firm belief that CNAs are at the heart of healthcare since they deal with patients at a personal level.
Lori identified low self-esteem as one of the problems affecting CNAs since they view themselves as the lowest in the provision of healthcare. This, Lori contends pushes some CNAs to be rude, arrogant, lazy and generally develop a bad attitude to their work. She however advises CNAs that her association fights for the rights and the fair treatment of all CNAs. In the same breath, Lori’s organization urges CNAs to be respectful in their work and to abide by the association’s code of conduct. Moreover, she categorically states that CNAs have to work hard and exude passion towards their work if they are to rise to higher positions in the healthcare profession. She warns CNAs who show laziness and have a bad attitude towards their work that they face bleak futures and more so they are bound to commit serious errors which could land them into legal cases. In this case Lori warns the CNAs that causing patients harm or death due to negligence is an offense for which they can pay dearly.
One of the mandates of the NAHCA is to offer professional guidance and disciplinary actions to errant members to ensure the integrity of the profession. In this regard, Lori is a vocal supporter of efficient punitive measures such as revocation of certificates to members who are proven to have disregarded work ethics. Laziness and bad attitude towards patients and hospital staff are some of the commonest cases reported to the NAHCA board according to Lori Porter. In regard to this, the board issues stern written warnings twice to all those reported to it. If a CNA is reported a third time, the board has a right to revoke the certificate. This Lori says has managed to keep CNAs in check and ensure that they behave accordingly.
I find this move as the most effective way to root out laziness and bad attitude from CNAs. The board to regulate the CNAs should be given power to even prosecute CNAs who negligently cause harm to their patients. This will serve to forewarn all CNAs to maintain integrity and professionalism. In any case, the board should be firm on the revocation of certificates issued to errant CNAs.
Works cited
“What is a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)? | Nursing Assistant Guides." Nurse Assistant: Certified Nursing Assistant Online Programs. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 May 2013. <http://nursingassistantguides.com/what-is-a-certified-nursing-assistant-cna/>.
Tideiksaar, Rein. Avoiding Falls: A Guidebook for Certified Nursing Assistants. Clifton Park, NY: Thomson Delmar Learning, 2006. Print.
White, Mary K. Certified Nursing Assistants' Feelings of Preparedness in Caring for Nursing Home Residents at the End of Life. Laramie, Wyo: University of Wyoming, 2007. Print
World Health Organization. Classifying health workers: mapping occupations to the international standard classification. Geneva, WHO, 2010.
