Blogs

At Just for CNAs, we know how hard you work every day as a nursing assistant.  When you get home from work, the last thing on  your mind is continuing education.  If your employer does not provide this ongoing training, it is probably next to impossible to fit it in your schedule.  Here at Just for CNAs, we want to help you complete your required continuing education credits.  With our online system, you can ensure that your are up-to-date with just a few clicks of the mouse.   

Through October 31st, we're giving away two free inservice topics with your purchase of the four modules of your choice (with coupon code FALL4FREE).  To take advantage of this offer, follow these steps:  read more »

Have you heard of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)?  It is a government agency that (among other things) collects statistics about the health and wellbeing of Americans. Would it surprise you to know that, according to the AHRQ, more than 55 million Americans are being treated for high blood pressure? That breaks down to one out of every four adults!    read more »

Did you know that tobacco use causes more deaths each year than HIV, illegal drug use, alcohol use, suicides, motor vehicle injuries, and murders combined?  Here is some information that may give you a new perspective on the dangers of smoking.  read more »

On October 1st, 2010, all long-term care facilities were required to switch to MDS 3.0 (Minimum Data Set).  This change effects everyone who works within one of these facilities- including you!  We're here to help you understand what this switch means and what changes you may have to make during your every day work.  Don't stress... simply check out our two-part inservice series all about MDS 3.0!

MDS 3.0 for CNAs- Part One

MDS 3.0 for CNAs- Part Two

Show your supervisor that you are ready and willing to tackle MDS 3.0 head on!

New Topic Addition:  "Building Trust & Confidence with Clients"

Frequently, as a CNA you must intrude on your client's intimate space.  Imagine having someone you don't know very well provide all of your private personal care. This can be a very uncomfortable situation!  But, when you set the tone and build the relationship on trust and confidence, you can minimize the discomfort.

For example:

Setting boundaries early in the relationship with your client will help you build trust.  To set clear boundaries, try the following:  read more »

One in seven Americans has an orthopedic impairment.  Unfortunately, this number will only rise in the coming years (which means doctors will perform more and more surgeries).  As a CNA, it's often your job to care for clients after orthopedic surgery.  Do you know all of the ways you can help your orthopedic client(s) transition back to a healthy and active lifestyle?

Check out our newly added inservice: "Caring for Clients after Orthopedic Surgery" to review common orthopedic surgeries, learn the possible complications after joint replacement surgery, discuss the importance of pain management and more.

Did you know?

• The idea of therapeutic humor is emerging as a beneficial, evidence-based, healthy addition to traditional medicine.
• Just one minute of laughter equals 45 minutes of complete physical relaxation.
• Laughing for at least ten minutes a day has been proven to lower blood pressure, reduce arthritis pain and promote more restful sleep.

In the healthcare workplace, it can be hard to always keep a lighthearted attitude.  However, just a couple minutes of laughter a day can make a huge impact in your life and in your clients lives!

By studying our inservice, "The Role of Humor in Healing", you'll learn all the ways that you can bring humor with you to your workplace.  Also covered within this lesson are all of the roles that humor plays in the healing process.  Scroll down for a sneak peek into the inservice:  read more »

There's no doubt about it...working in the nursing field is stressful.  So, how is your stress level these days?  Try taking this quick little "Stress Test" (developed by clinical psychologist Dan Johnston) to see if you could use a little stress management.  

Remember...when stress becomes a way of life, it can lead to health problems--from tension headaches to heart attacks, ulcers and even cancer.  In fact, up to 75% of disease may be stress-related!

So, if the results of your Stress Test show that you could use some tips on how to reduce and/or manage your stress, consider completing our Stress Management Skills inservice.  It might be the best thing you do for your health this month!

Take good care,

Linda

As a nursing assistant, one of your primary roles is to collect and communicate information.  That information is collected by observing clients and communicated by reporting to the nurse and/or documenting in the client's chart.

By being able to recognize what is abnormal, you'll be ensuring a better outcome for your client(s)!  For example:  your client, Mrs. Jones has a slightly reddened area on  her hip that was not there last week.  She tells you that the area is sensitive to the touch.  You know that these symptoms are the early signs of a pressure sore.  By catching and reporting these abnormal observations, Mrs. Jones has a better chance of receiving quick treatment for her developing pressure sore.  read more »

Did you know that the average American spends more than 1800 hours a year at work?  People who are unhappy with their jobs spend those hours feeling stressed, impatient, unfulfilled... and even angry.  People who are satisfied with their jobs are more productive and successful-- and the hours fly by!

If you dislike your job, you are probably shortchanging yourself, your clients and your employer.  You are losing out by spending all those hours wishing you were someplace else.  Your clients miss out by not having a satisfied professional caring for them.  And your employer gets shortchanged because you are probably giving less than your best effort.

By studying our NEW inservice "How to Really Love Your Job," you can learn different ways to feel more satisfied at work.  And, you won't believe how easy it is to really make positive changes!