Extending Heartfelt Gratitude and Appreciation during National Nursing Assistants Week

We’re celebrating the 45^th anniversary of National Nursing Assistants Week this year from June 16 through June 22! Since 1977, this honorary week has taken place on the second Thursday in June. To the hundreds of thousands of Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) across the nation providing compassionate care day in and day out, we appreciate you!

Fun Facts

• Nursing assistants provide as much as 80-90% of the direct care received by residents in long-term care facilities. – National Network of Career Nursing Assistants
  
  
• The history of nursing assistants began during World War I. At that time, the American Red Cross implemented a program called Volunteer Nurses’ Aid Service, which was created to train individuals to assist nurses that were caring for injured soldiers.
  
  
• Only in Ohio, CNAs are referred to as STNAs. This acronym stands for State Tested Nurse Aide. STNAs perform the same tasks as CNAs; Ohio just gave them a different title for some mystery reason!

Nursing assistants provide direct care to patients and residents across a variety of healthcare settings, including long-term care facilities (skilled nursing and assisted living), rehabilitation centers, home health, private practice, corrections, hospitals and more. CNAs have recently broken into the travel field by working for staffing firms. They can also opt for per diem or PRN work, where they pick up shifts as needed.

We know that in long-term care settings, CNAs often develop strong bonds with their residents, as they work to provide compassionate care, coupled with humor, patience, and a sense of dignity.

We asked two of our LeaderStat CNAs to share a special moment during their work.

“I am a person who doesn’t mind going above and beyond for my team. I can’t tell you how great it makes me feel, as a CNA, to hear a resident say, “Thank you for coming in when I needed you. Thank you for being attentive to my care. You always come in with such a great spirit and attitude.” These comments confirm that being a CNA is my calling. Above all things, I feel I’m doing this work with purpose.” – Loria J.

“I’ve had a patient tell me that I’m an angel sent from heaven. He had a difficult time adjusting to his new scenery, but he would always tell me how much I meant to him.” – K’Mya W.

Nursing assistants receive kind words from patients and residents often. It’s important that they feel valued from everyone around them, including their coworkers, managers, leadership, and even from their patient’s loved ones. During this week and beyond, please take a moment to tell CNAs how much you appreciate all they do to provide quality care to so many people across the nation, particularly those who are elderly and have disabilities. From answering call lights and helping with activities of daily living, to providing a listening ear when someone needs it the most, our healthcare system simply could not function without the invaluable work and dedication of nursing assistants.

We are grateful for our dedicated CNAs who go the extra mile for every patient, every encounter, every time.


Join the National Honor Society of Nursing Assistants
The National Network of Career Nursing Assistants (NNCNA) has created a special group for those who have completed more than 20 years of service in the healthcare field. Apply to become part of the National Honor Society at no cost!


Submit an Essay or Project
Submissions for National Nursing Assistants Week can be completed solo, with a department/unit, or with colleagues. Participants have the option to write and submit short essays, skits, or songs! Submissions are due by September 20, 2022 to be eligible for a national award. Submit entries via the official Facebook group of NNCNA.

CNA Week 2022 Toolkit
The National Association of Health Care Assistants (NACHA) has put together a CNA Week Toolkit with social media images, links to webinars throughout June (including Laughter Yoga on June 16), discounted dementia care training, and more!