Comments on: States Use Stimulus Funds to Help Direct-Care Workers http://phinational.org/archives/states-use-stimulus-funds-to-help-direct-care-workers/ PHI works to improve long-term care -- by improving the jobs of home health aides, certified nurse aides, & personal care attendants. Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:27:46 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Mary Brown,RN http://phinational.org/archives/states-use-stimulus-funds-to-help-direct-care-workers/comment-page-1/#comment-4014 Mary Brown,RN Thu, 02 Jul 2009 03:48:22 +0000 http://phinational.org/?p=3939#comment-4014 I have to agree with you. I can see the funds being used to improve esthetics in facilities desiring to increase curb appeal and improve their census. This would stand to serve the owners in the form of heightened profits, but does nothing for the employee. In addition, it does nothing to improve the care the residents receive. The CNA has the most difficult job in any facility due to the fact that they are with the resident more than any other employee, and have to work with the residents when they are truly at their worst. It requires mounds of patience, love, and a very strong desire to help those who cannot help themselves. The good ones are very dedicated to their residents and would do the work no matter the pay. That is not the point. I have worked with many who worked three jobs to make ends meet. The result is fatigue, burnout, frustration, and the potential for abuse. Educating and stabilizing the existing workforce by providing consistent wage increases would help to keep those dedicated CNA's at the bedside as you have pointed out. A one time bonus may be gracious, but is not likely to solve long term financial issues. Food, clothing, housing, insurance, and transportation are but a few of the concerns facing these workers who are forced to survive on minimum wage income. I have heard so many times, "Everything goes up but our pay". It is long overdue for these workers to rise to the level of their peers in being able to financially sustain themselves and their families. I fear the funds will not find their way down the most useful path. It is the CNA's, and subsequently the resident's, who so deserve a boost. I have to agree with you. I can see the funds being used to improve esthetics in facilities desiring to increase curb appeal and improve their census. This would stand to serve the owners in the form of heightened profits, but does nothing for the employee. In addition, it does nothing to improve the care the residents receive.
The CNA has the most difficult job in any facility due to the fact that they are with the resident more than any other employee, and have to work with the residents when they are truly at their worst. It requires mounds of patience, love, and a very strong desire to help those who cannot help themselves. The good ones are very dedicated to their residents and would do the work no matter the pay. That is not the point. I have worked with many who worked three jobs to make ends meet. The result is fatigue, burnout, frustration, and the potential for abuse. Educating and stabilizing the existing workforce by providing consistent wage increases would help to keep those dedicated CNA’s at the bedside as you have pointed out.
A one time bonus may be gracious, but is not likely to solve long term financial issues. Food, clothing, housing, insurance, and transportation are but a few of the concerns facing these workers who are forced to survive on minimum wage income. I have heard so many times, “Everything goes up but our pay”. It is long overdue for these workers to rise to the level of their peers in being able to financially sustain themselves and their families.
I fear the funds will not find their way down the most useful path. It is the CNA’s, and subsequently the resident’s, who so deserve a boost.

]]> By: Genevieve Gipson http://phinational.org/archives/states-use-stimulus-funds-to-help-direct-care-workers/comment-page-1/#comment-3981 Genevieve Gipson Mon, 22 Jun 2009 12:29:26 +0000 http://phinational.org/?p=3939#comment-3981 These three states have clearly stepped up to the plate to address issues of careworkers in long term care. North Dakota looks like it could provide a wage increase to workers but with no assurace the funds would actually be used this way. The Montana plan calls for $16 million for workers which may be in the form of training (who determines quality, accessibility, relevance?)and one time bonuses for workers in the future. The Oregon plan would provides funds to train 300 new NAs but with no assurance they will be appropriate for the job nor have a potential to remain in position. How much better to put funds into stabilizing the existing workforce. While we commend these states for trying to address issues of direct care, we also wonder if consideration has been given to using these funds to stabilize the existing workforce and build stonger career paths that will help to keep good workers at the bed side. Genevieve Gipson RN MEd RNC National Network of Career Nursing Assistants These three states have clearly stepped up to the plate to address issues of careworkers in long term care.

North Dakota looks like it could provide a wage increase to workers but with no assurace the funds would actually be used this way.

The Montana plan calls for $16 million for workers which may be in the form of training (who determines quality, accessibility, relevance?)and one time bonuses for workers in the future.

The Oregon plan would provides funds to train 300 new NAs but with no assurance they will be appropriate for the job nor have a potential to remain in position. How much better to put funds into stabilizing the existing workforce.

While we commend these states for trying to address issues of direct care, we also wonder if consideration has been given to using these funds to stabilize the existing workforce and build stonger career paths that will help to keep good workers at the bed side.

Genevieve Gipson RN MEd RNC
National Network of Career Nursing Assistants

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