CNAs: Why The High Turnovers?

You see all of these advertisements about getting your Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification through these schools. They are often fast-track, meaning that classes are in session for at least four to six weeks. There are a huge demand for Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs); this is expected to increase by twenty-one percent through 2022.

There is the exam--you can either pass the exam or fail the exam. You get the job working as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA); you realize that it takes a lot of work and your energy. All of this can turn into a high turnover--especially in a long-term care facility.

Why The High Turnovers?

The following are some of the influences in which Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) make the decision to leave their jobs and possibly their career in health care. These are four major reasons:

• Problems with their physical well-being
• Lack of health benefits and paid leave
• Lack of job satisfaction
• Low pay

Problems With Physical Well-Being

In the majority of cases with Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), their physical problems are the result of constant demands by their everyday duties and activities. Any one that has ever worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) knows that it is a very physically demanding, which is often associated with duties, such as transferring patients/residents from bed to wheelchair (and vice versa), depending on your shift, moving heavy equipment (example: mechanical lift), and the lifting and twisting associated with re-positioning patients/residents. Doing all of these things on a daily basis can take its toll on the physical body.

There are some facilities that offer excellent health benefits and paid leave to Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs); these work places have the higher number of workers.

Lack of Job Satisfaction

The reason for the lack of job satisfaction among Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) was because of the emotional stress, due to dealing with the patients/residents on a daily basis, the constant demands of the job and very little respect from the upper management, as in supervisors.

Some Registered Nurses (RNs) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs/LVNs) are assigning extra work to Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) because they do not want to do the "dirty work." This is in reference to giving patients/residents bed baths, cleaning bed pans, incontinence care, etc. Many nurses have the thought of " I have a license, I am above the "dirty work."

Low Pay

Full-time Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) can expect to earn about $24,000 a year, or approximately $11.73/hr, depending on location. Becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) requires less schooling than it is to become a Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN/LVN). There is a big gap in pay rates between Certified Nursing Assistabnts (CNAs) and Registered Nurses (RNs) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs/LVNs).

This high turnover rate is having a negative consequence not only on the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNAs), but the entire health care. Patient/resident care becomes almost non-existent; there is the high cost in health care for hospitals and/or facilities. This is because the healthcare management team have to recruit and train new employees. In essence, the more job vacancies, the more work hours lost.

Are you a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)? Please feel free to share your thoughts in the Comments box.

Deciphering Hypertension as a Certified Nursing Assistant

Did you know that hypertension affects approximately seventy-five million people in the United States alone? It plays a vital role in the risk for stroke, myocardial infarction (MI), vascular disease, and chronic kidney disease (CKD).

What is Hypertension?

Hypertension refers to the systolic blood pressure (SBP) of 140 mm Hg or higher, or a diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of 90 mm Hg, or taking anti-hypertensive medication. According to recommendations of the Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC 7), the blood pressure (BP) classification for adults eighteen years old and older is the following:

• Normal: Systolic lower than 120 mm Hg, diastolic lower than 80 mm Hg
• Pre-hypertension: Systolic 120-139 mm Hg, diastolic 80-89 mm Hg
• Stage 1: Systolic 140-159 mm Hg, diastolic 90-99 mm Hg
• Stage 2: Systolic 160 mm Hg or higher, diastolic 100 mm Hg or higher

There are two types of hypertension. One is primary or essential hypertension; this is the most common and the most misunderstood. Primary, or essential hypertension is responsible for ninety to ninety-five percent of adult cases.The other is secondary hypertension, which has a primary cause such as renovascular disease, endocrine disease, renal disease, and medication. Secondary hypertension is responsible for two to ten percent of cases.

What Is The Impact That Hypertension Have On A Patient/Resident Short-Term and Long-Term?

Although the short-term impact of hypertension is unknown, the long-term impact of hypertension includes heart failure, stroke, coronary disease, and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Hypertensive emergencies include aortic dissection, which can be life-threatening as with hypertensive encephalopathy.

Treatments For Hypertension

In treating hypertension, always begin with limiting sodium intake, reducing alcohol use, increasing physical activity, losing weight (if overweight), and eating healthier foods, as in low-fat foods. If these measures are unsuccessful, then hypertension is likely the cause and may to be further evaluated.

How To Deal With a Patient/Resident With Hypertension

There are medications for the treatment of hypertension; these should be prescribed and administered. The blood pressure should be checked on a regular basis to ensure the medication is working properly. If the blood pressure is low, then the medication can be put on hold. A diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables, low sodium, and low-fat should be given for hypertension.

Providing the Hypertensive Patients/Residents with Much Comfort As Possible

Most people who suffer from hypertension are asymptomatic and no specific measures need to take place. In contrast, if a patient/resident with hypertension have symptoms such as blurry vision, headache, chest pains, or palpitations, then the blood pressure is likely elevated. With an elevated blood pressure, a visit to the emergency room (ER) is likely guaranteed; the blood pressure needs to be controlled in a hospital or an inpatient setting.

To ensure safety and comfort for patients/residents with hypertension, here are the following steps to do:

• Limit sodium intake
• Be physically active for approximately half an hour each day
• Eat a balanced diet, which should include fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy foods
• Reduce alcohol intake
• Have lab work drawn annually for cholesterol check, thyroid, kidney function, etc. that is recommended by a primary care provider
• Lose weight (if the patient/resident is overweight)
• Be compliant with every medication and take them as prescribed.
• If symptoms such as headache, chest pain, or blurry vision occur, go to the emergency room (ER) for evaluation immediately

How do you handle hypertension as a Certified Nursing Assistant with patients/residents? Please feel free to add your comments in the Comments box