Is your nursing assistant (NA) training program experiencing a decline in enrollment? If so, you are not alone! This downward trend in enrollment is painfully seen by training programs throughout the country. Training programs accustomed to long waitlists are now canceling unfilled classes and worst yet, cutting NA instructor hours or terminating NA instructors.
The pandemic, coupled with the ability to disseminate information rapidly and the added graphic and gut-wrenching personal accounts shared on social media sites about NA's deplorable working conditions, insulting pay, and poor leadership exposed deep flaws in the healthcare system. These very public personal stories and numerous other factors result in the unwillingness of individuals to enter the proverbial "burning building". Sadly, the refusal of individuals to become certified nursing assistants (CNA) has a profound trickle-down effect at the bedside and beyond! From NA programs possibly going out of business, to less CNAs at the bedside just to name a few, and most importantly patients suffering from lack of care!
So how do we address the decline in low enrollment? This is a multifaceted dilemma and unfortunately without an easy or fast fix. However, a good place to start is by encouraging and supporting individuals to follow their career goals despite workplace difficulties, follow their calling as healthcare providers, and encourage their participation in needed change.
Read how Wisconsin and Minnesota are training the National Guard to fill nursing assistant positions in nursing homes: Wisconsin article here and Minnesota article here.
Webinar Recording
Did you miss the G-W and FACETS Healthcare Training webinar on February 16, 2022? No worries! The recorded version is available to all registrants; you may click here to register even though the webinar has passed.
For information about the partnership and the unique bundle package, contact a G-W Educational Consultant here or contact a customer service team member at
A one-year subscription to FACETS Healthcare Training's state-specific online NA test preparation at a deep discount.
Strategies and Tips for Nursing Assistant Instructors
G-W will host FREE webinars covering various nursing assistant topics starting March 24, 2022, and every other month thereafter. Dr. Sue Roe, DPA, MS, BSN, RN author of The Nursing Assistant: Essentials of Holistic Care, and Vicky Castillo MSN, RN, CNE, founder/CEO of FACETS Healthcare Training, CNA Test Prep will moderate.
Join our debut webinar on March 24, 2022, at 1 PM PT / 3 PM CT/ 4 PM ET. Topic: Learn how to search for, select, and incorporate nursing assistant resources appropriately and effectively when teaching in an online instructional environment. Register here.
