Certified nursing assistants are being reminded of why their work matters, thanks to an enrichment course offered by their union and nursing facility. 

Nursing staff at The Gardens at West Shore, a 229-bed skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility in Camp Hill, PA, recently completed the 15-week course. The class serves as continuing education that helps increase individual health awareness and promote disease prevention. The course was provided by the SEIU Training and Education Fund.

Beverly Fry, administrator at The Gardens at West Shore, said the course started about six years ago and about 50 staff members have participated. 

Fry described the facility’s working relationship with SEIU as “amazing” and said their collaborative efforts are done to help better educate, spur professional growth and increase job satisfaction, which “ultimately impacts patient satisfaction and positive outcomes for all.” 

“(The course) shows them that we are committed to their personal and professional growth,” Fry told McKnight’s

Tara Toms, program specialist for the SEIU Training and Education Fund, said the course adds “a deeper ‘why’ to the work.” 

“When CNAs have a chance to step back and remember their reasons for getting into this field,” Toms said, “and when they find meaning in what they do, it carries over to patient interaction and increases quality of care.”