Healthcare system sponsored CNA training program creates opportunity and increases workforce

Title : Healthcare system sponsored CNA training program creates opportunity and increases workforce

Abstract:

Background: The recent jump in turnover attributed to the pandemic of the majority of positions within hospitals has subsided, with the exception of one vital role, Certified Nursing Assistants (NSI Nursing Solutions Inc., 2024). Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) was the position with the highest percent of turnover in hospitals at 41.8% an increase from 33.7% in 2023 (NSI Nursing Solutions Inc., 2024). 

Problem: Turnover, recruitment, and retention of CNA staff is a problem impacting the care provided by hospitals and long-term care facilities in the U.S. With the turnover rate continuing to grow, healthcare organizations must create innovative programs to recruit and develop new CNA’s to grow the workforce to fill these vital vacant positions. In order to do so healthcare organizations must remove all barriers and provide entry to the healthcare field by developing facility-based CNA training programs. 

Method: A facility-based New York State Department of Health approved CNA training program was developed and implemented that provided paid training and guaranteed fulltime employment to trainees accepted to the program. This program was then expanded to a long-term care facility within the same healthcare system to provide paid training to develop CNA staff to be employed fulltime at the long-term care facility and a second acute care hospital within the healthcare system.

Results: These facility and hospital-based training programs provide entry into the healthcare profession. These programs remove barriers faced by under-privileged individuals who desire to become CNAs. In return for paid training and certification as CNA the trainees are provided with fulltime employment in return for a 2-year commitment to healthcare organization. This structure improves recruitment, retention, and turnover of the CNAs within the organization. 

Biography:

Dr. Balcuk was the Director of Nursing Recruitment and Retention at Mather Hospital located on Long Island, New York where he led the development and implementation of a New York State Department of Health approved hospital-based CNA training program. The program used blended learning which led to the change in state guidelines for CNA training.  Dr. Balcuk has been a Registered Nurse for 14 years including roles as an Assistant Director of Nursing, ACLS and BLS instructor, Clinical Educator, and has worked clinically in the Emergency Department and Telemetry units as a staff nurse and Assistant Nurse Manager. Dr. Balcuk has earned his Doctor of Nursing Practice from Chamberlain University with a focus on healthcare systems leadership. His DNP project focused on the stress management of new graduate nurses during their professional transitional period to improve patient care, job satisfaction, and retention. He presented this work at the National Nurse Educator Summit in April 2024. His work has been published in Nursing Economic$. John has earned a Master of Science in Nursing Education from Long Island University. He is board certified in Nursing Professional development and as a Nurse Executive.