National Nursing Assistants’ Week

Now more than ever, attention is being directed to the care of our elder and disabled citizens. Greater attention is also directed to the workers who provide hands-on care and caring.

The 44th annual National Nursing Assistants’ Week provides a timely opportunity to foster and showcase the beautiful things that can happen for residents and workers when we join together in planning this special Week, “Nursing Assistants: Creating a Community of Caring.”

Fun projects can also be educational. NA Week Projects for 2021 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;” Communing with the Hearing Impaired;” Documentation for MDS; Person Centered Care, and Creating a Culture of Safety.

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 to benefit all.

The very best way for this kind of genuine recognition and real change to happen is for direct care workers to advocate for themselves! Nursing Assistants and 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:

• Make sure that you and your co-workers are registered to vote.
• Educate yourself and co-workers about the political issues that affect your jobs and the care you give. (Check news stories, participate in Facebook discussions, Pay special attention to potential cuts in Medicaid and job-training, and regulation changes. Talk to people in seniors and disabilities organizations.)
• Get to know your lawmakers! What is his or her name? 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.
• 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!
• Look for and create opportunities to speak to churches, civic organizations, seniors groups, etc.
• The time to act is right now! YOU are “Creating a Community of Caring” and this is your year.

Make National Nurse Assistant’s Week a time, not just to accept recognition from others, but a time to celebrate all the things you have done already to make your profession everything it can be!

Show appreciation to the nursing assistants you know with a card or surprise them with their favorite beverage. If you are a nursing assistant or considering training to become one, participate in events throughout National Nursing Assistants Week. Visit www.cna-network.org to find out more.