Teaching and Maintaining Behavior Management Skills With Nursing Assistants in a Nursing Home

Abstract

This article describes a nursing staff training program in basic behavior management skills and a formal staff management system to encourage the application of these basic skills on the nursing unit. Behavioral skills training consists of a 5-hour in-service followed by three weeks of on-the-job training to ensure accurate application of behavior management skills. Following training, a staff management system is used to facilitate long-term use of the skills. Components of the staff management system include supervisory monitoring of the nursing assistants (NAs) by licensed practical nurses (LPNs), NA self-monitoring, verbal and written performance feedback, and incentives.

Impact of serious mental illness online training for certified nursing assistants in long term care

“…There is some evidence that medical education involving interactive participatory learning that allows physicians to apply skills may change practice behavior and possibly yield positive health effects (Davis et al, 1999). Indeed, long term care research suggests that the ingredients of a comprehensive successful CNA training program should also include administrative support, participative management involving all employees in feedback and decision-making, CNAs’ self-monitoring of new skills, supplemental training to prevent skill decay, and ongoing performance feedback and incentives (Burgio & Burgio, 1990; Burgio, et al 2002; Stevens, et al, 1998; Stevens & Hochhalter, 2006). CNA training alone may not be able to change the way SMI is identified and managed in NHs, and additional research should determine whether NH professional staff such as social workers and nurses need to take such training to assist in its widespread implementation.…”