Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Unit 2 Role of the Nursing Assistant

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Objectives Spell and define terms. Identify members of the interdisciplinary health care team. Identify members of the nursing team. List job responsibilities of the nursing assistant.

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Objectives Make a chart showing your facility’s lines of authority. Describe importance of good human relationships. Describe legal importance of working within the established scope of nursing assistant practice.

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Objectives Discuss the potential for career growth and advancement, and identify opportunities for expanding the scope of nursing assistant practice. List the ways to build productive working relationships with staff members.

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Objectives List rules of personal hygiene and explain the importance of a healthy mental attitude. Describe appropriate dress for the job.

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Interdisciplinary Health Care Team Patient Members of patient’s family Physician Nursing team Other specialists

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. The Nursing Team The nursing team consists of: –Registered nurses –Licensed practical (or vocational) nurses –Nursing assistants

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. The Nursing Team Nursing team provides skilled nursing care RNs plan and direct nursing care in cooperation with the physician’s orders All members of the team provide direct patient care

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Organization of Nursing Care Primary nursing Functional nursing Team nursing Partners in practice Nursing assistant has a functional role in each

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Primary Nursing Care is given by an RN –Responsible for a patient’s care during his or her entire hospitalization Licensed staff and assistants help when an RN is not on duty RN is responsible for six to eight patients

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Functional Nursing Task-oriented way to organize care service Charge nurse responsible for all patients Others are assigned specific tasks –Medications, administering treatments, or providing hygienic care

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Team Nursing A team leader (usually an RN) –Determines nursing needs of patients Team members receive assignments –From and report to the team leader

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Team Nursing Team nursing is successful when: –Members understand the philosophy, purposes, and goals of restorative nursing –Understand their responsibilities –Attend the care plan conference

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Partners in Practice RN or a primary nurse –Partnered with a nursing assistant or other team member Team members –Work together to meet the needs of their assigned patients

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Partners in Practice Method combines positive aspects of team and primary nursing into the partnership model In some facilities: –Team members work on same schedule

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Patient Focused Care Patient is focus of service Goals –Limit number of people involved in patient care –Contain costs –Meet patients’ needs efficiently Staff members are cross-trained

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Teamwork Successful alternative models of care are effective because they: –Promote cooperation and teamwork –Provide opportunities for growth

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Teamwork Learning to work with others as a member of a team –One of the most important skills to master during your nursing assistant education

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Regulation of NA Practice Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) –1987 federal law regulating the education and certification of nurse aides Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation Program (NACEP) –Minimum training standards for nurse aides

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. OBRA Give nursing assistants recognition through registration Help define the scope of nursing assistant practice

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. OBRA Provide better uniformity in care provided by nursing assistants Promote educational standards for nursing assistants

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Lines of Authority Learn your role and line of authority within your facility Refer to Figure 2–4

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Lines of Authority

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Guidelines for the Nursing Assistant Only perform tasks you have been trained to do Seek higher authority when necessary Know your scope of practice –Live by it

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Roles and Responsibilities Nursing assistant works directly with the patient –Provide physical care and emotional support Nursing assistant’s specific duties –Vary depending on his or her workplace

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Personal Vocational Adjustments Nursing assistant must be: –Willing to learn and grow –Dependable –Respectful of his or her coworkers –Empathetic, patient, and tactful with others

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Interpersonal Relationships Interactions between people Patients and staff

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Attitude Single most important characteristic you bring to your job Developed throughout your lifetime Shaped by your experiences

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Attitude Should reflect: –Caring –Courtesy –Cooperation –Emotional control –Empathy –Tact –Patience

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Patient Relationships All patients are different You should meet patients’ varying needs You should meet families’ needs

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Adapting to Change Learn all you can about the change and your responsibilities Try to understand the need for and value of the change Find ways to adapt and accommodate to the change Try to be open-minded and flexible

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Change Be a team player Adjust your attitude – Look forward to the change Keep your sense of humor – Make change fun

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Change Compensate for stress and pressure –Make time for activities you enjoy when you are off duty View change as an opportunity for growth Change is inevitable –But growth is optional

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Staff Relationships All health care workers share a single goal: – To help the patient There is much you can do to help accomplish this goal

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Personal Health and Hygiene Your uniform should be appropriate, clean, and neat You should wear an appropriate identification tag Refer to Figure 2–10

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Personal Health and Hygiene

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved. Reducing Stress Get sufficient rest Practice good nutritional habits Participate in satisfying leisure activities Participate in stress-reducing activities