September 29 , 2008

HRMC forms CNA Practice Council

In an effort to better prepare nursing assistants for practice at Haywood Regional Medical Center, a new CNA Practice Council has been formed. The purpose of the council is to validate the importance of the hospital’s nursing assistants and provide this category of employees with an effective and meaningful initial orientation and ongoing educational development.

“The art of being a nursing assistant includes characteristics like compassion, a willingness to go the extra mile and a desire to help people who are experiencing an acute or chronic event in their lives,” said HRMC Director of Nursing Education Patrick La Rose. “Nursing assistants play an important role in the care we provide here at HRMC. We are fortunate to have some of the best nursing assistants in Western North Carolina employed right here in our hospital.”

One of the first projects the council is currently engaged in developing is the initial nursing assistant orientation. Council members are discussing the critical elements of what new nursing assistants need to know before they work on the floor in order to be successful.

In addition, the council is working through the content of what items must be covered in orientation to the department and unit. Once completed, new nursing assistants will be provided with one of the most advanced nursing orientations available.

“The involvement of our nursing assistants on this council demonstrates their professional commitment to our patients and to our community. We should be immensely proud to be working with such an exceptional group of professionals,” La Rose said.

Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) assist individuals with healthcare needs and provide bedside care — all under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).

Nurse assistants are needed to provide routine care so that nurses can provide care that only they can perform, such as formulating care plans, administering medication, and assisting in surgery room preparation. Due to other responsibilities, the nurse cannot spend large amounts of time in the room with the patient, so the nurse assistant is often referred to as the nurse’s “eyes and ears.”

Members of the CNA Practice Council include Robin Brookshire, Max Reed, LaRue Green, Becky Sims, Kathy Shipman, Carol Castillo, Sylvia Reese and Candice Franklin.

Kathy Shipman has worked at HRMC for 33 years, moving to the new campus after working at the old hospital, and said she plans to continue working as long as she is able. She earned her CNA certification at Haywood Community College in 1975. She has worked in the outpatient department at HRMC for 12 years and worked in the medical/surgical department the remainder of her 33 years.

Most CNAs on the council have not worked at HRMC as long as Shipman, but say hope to establish a long-term relationship with the hospital.

•Robin Brookshire worked in Home Health Care for five years after receiving her CNA certificate at Southwestern Community College. She renewed her certificate at Haywood Community College three years ago and is continuing her education at SCC to be an LPN. She joined the nursing staff at HRMC in February 2008.

• Becky Sims earned her CNA certificate at Haywood Community College four years ago and has been employed by HRMC for nine years. She began working in the Definitive Observation Care Unit and transferred to the Intensive Care Unit in February 2008.

• Carol Castillo has been employed at HRMC for two years. She received her CNA certification at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College in 2004, after working in Home Health Care and rehabilitation for more than 10 years.

• Sylvia Reese has been employed at HRMC for five years. She earned her CNA certification at Haywood Community College in 2008. She began working in the medical/surgical department and now floats to the Intensive Care Unit, Emergency Department, Women’s Care Center or anywhere she is needed. She is hoping to continue her education to earn a registered nurse license.

Max Reed, LaRue Green and Candice Franklin were unavailable for interviews.