Empowering CNAs was found to improve their work performance and job satisfaction, improve resident care, and reduce turnover in a study reported in the Journal of Gerontological Nursing, Vol. 34 No. 3.

In “CNA Empowerment: Effects on Job Performance and Work Attitudes,” Cynthia M. Cready and colleagues from the University of North Texas discuss their study of 298 CNAs and 136 nurses in 10 nursing homes. Five of the homes had CNA-empowered work teams. The other five employed more traditional management approaches.

According to the report, highly empowered CNAs and the nurses who worked with them thought the more empowered CNAs did their jobs better than other CNAs. “Highly empowered CNAs were perceived to have effective work procedures, to have enough time and staff to provide care, to support and work well with other CNAs, and to cooperate with the nurses.

“Collectively, both highly empowered CNAs and the nurses who worked with them seemed to be happier on the job. Highly empowered CNAs reported higher self-esteem, less burnout, more satisfaction, and more commitment to the nursing home. The nurses who worked with these CNAs also reported more satisfaction. Both were less likely to be thinking about leaving their jobs.”

According to the report, challenges for nurse managers who want to empower direct-care workers include:

• Finding time to listen to CNAs’ suggestions about how to modify the work;
• Providing consistent feedback;
• Involving CNAs in decision-making when a situation requires immediate attention;
• Allowing CNAs time to learn how to work together in a team meeting;
• Accepting that they will sometimes make mistakes; and
• Ensuring that their responsibilities are covered while they attend scheduled team meetings.

Elise Nakhnikian, Senior Online Editor
enakhnikian@phinational.org