The case for ethics training classes in our nation’s nursing facilities
Posted by Patti on June 29th, 2007 / Print This Post
I’m forever finding little known to CNA’s –web sites that offer excellent advice and tips. I found this site through some searches and then an entire series of articles that we can all relate to.
Advance For Long Term Care Management
Employee Ethics: Do our staff know right from wrong?The following incidents make the case for ethics training classes in our nation’s nursing facilities. (Names have been changed, but the situations did occur). Brenda, a registered nurse, clocked out after her 8-hour shift and walked down the nursing home hallway towards the parking lot. She was stopped on the way by a frightened CNA who said a resident was choking and needed help. Brenda looked at her watch, tapped it, and told the CNA she was “off the clock” and left the building. Fortunately, the CNA was able to quickly get support from another nurse and the resident was assisted.
Lisa, a certified nursing assistant, observed a resident under her care spilling cranberry juice on the floor of her room. Lisa left the spill without concern for the resident or staff falling, or the staining of the floor. A housekeeper, hours later, found the spill and cleaned it up. Hundreds of dollars were spent to replace the tile.
Rhonda, a certified nursing assistant, alleged mistreatment of three residents by a fellow CNA. She reported that the aide “body slammed” three residents into their wheelchairs. Upon investigation by the administrator, there was absolutely no proof of the wrongdoing. A personality difference between the two aides was the only possible explanation. Following State law, this incident and the name of the accused was reported to the CNA and Nurse Registry.
A common thread can be found linking these incidents. Brenda, Lisa and Rhonda failed to consider how their actions affected others’ health and wellbeing. In most health care facilities, there are regularly scheduled inservices. Fire safety, activities, abuse reporting and other topics are addressed. The questions remain are we effectively educating our workforce, or do we need to first lay a foundation for learning? I believe the latter is the case.
Do you ever attend an in service that talks about the ethics and rights and wrongs?
There are MANY more excellent articles located at this site. Check it all out.
August 4th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
AS a Clinical Instructor in a nursing home, I have education centers behind the nursing desks on every unit. These centers have continuing education articles for the CNA’s. They read and sign an in-service sheet. That way, they have more time with the residents and spend less time off the unit at an in-service.
August 5th, 2008 at 12:07 am
My questions are these: Are the articles a supplement to training classes or a replacement of the classes? Is reading the articles voluntary or mandatory? Some people may not want to participate for many reasons, including the fact that they may not be good or enthusiastic readers. Beyond signing a sheet, what evidence is there that the articles are actually read and understood?
Good ethics training classes should bring people together in learning situations where the presentation of what needs to be learned is more controlled. Information should be presented in a manner that can accommodate a wider variety of learning styles that appeal to more senses (oral, written, audio, etc.). In addition, participants should get helpful feedback immediately, along with supportive interaction and follow-up later.
August 5th, 2008 at 9:26 am
I guess I should have made my comment clearer. These inservices are just for continuing education. I still provide the interactive approach as well. I also try to make the inservices fun as well as informative. As the saying goes.. Knowledge is power!
August 6th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
I have found these read-only in services to be useless. Most aides don’t have the time to really read and absorb the info; many others don’t understand the material and have no one to ask questions of; nothing replaces a real meeting type in service given by one who can answer, provide examples, seek input and test for understanding. I DO think these read only articles should be around however, because some aides DO get something out of them. A little of both would be great!