And Yet Another Survey Tells Us What We Already Know…
Posted by Heather on August 31st, 2008 / Print This Post
The results from a long standing survey of nursing assistants is in. And McKinght’s LTC News has the scoop:
Most nursing assistants in nursing homes enter the field to help others, according to the National Nursing Assistant Survey, a detailed sampling of the attitudes and opinions of nursing assistants. Released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the survey was prepared by the Division of Health Care Statistics, Long-Term Care Statistics Branch.
When asked their main reason for taking jobs as nursing assistants, the majority—62%—replied that they like to help other people.
This is good news.
Some nursing assistants, however, aren’t entirely satisfied with their jobs. Almost 25% say they are actively looking for employment either at another facility or in a different field all together. The two biggest reasons for job dissatisfaction (besides “other,” which came in at 55%) are poor pay—37%—and the discovery of a new and better job—29%.
Hmm. Let’s take some guesses at what these “others” are: poor prospects, poor management, poor benefits, mandated overtime, work related injuries, lack of respect from nurses, management, families, residents/patients, and the community at large.
This survey lasted a year. How many aides even heard of it? What happens now, with all this information? Who does it go to? What, if any, lessons and legislation will come of it? If I honestly thought something positive would come from it, I would be more upbeat here. But I suspect nothing will change.
September 1st, 2008 at 7:39 am
We posted about this survey here before it began.
And I have the same questions. Which, for the most part, will never be answered. Lots of thought, analysis, recommendations and the like will come from this report. But nothing substantial or meaningful to nursing assistants, who are just too busy and who often cannot even afford a computer and Internet access to participate in the debate.
It’s not being pessimistic- it’s being realistic.
September 1st, 2008 at 9:44 am
Maybe they’ll use the info as a form of proof solid that CNA’s are good people who deserve more respect. After reading the post about the aides who abused the dead woman and the four who abused their residents, its hard to get that respect.
The poor media attention, the negatives, are what keep us down.
September 3rd, 2008 at 11:56 pm
I took part in it. And wondered when we would hear back.
NOW as said, what will come of it? I suspect it costs a lot of money to do and hope that money isn’t wasted. But in a sense we all know it will be! Nothing will change.
September 4th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
So long as aides will accept jobs at low wages thats what employers will pay when i got into it i decided right up front that i wouldnt accept a job that paid under 10/hr i however did cave and accepted 9.43 as my starting wage and 5 years later am up to 11.20 which is excellent pay in most places but here in upstate ny its so expensive to live its marginal pay and as much as i like being a cna im pushing myself into lpn school for financial reasons