Nursing Communication

[Miguel 4]

Does anyone have any creative ways that they have been able to bridge the communication and encourage Nursing Involvement with Care Planned Activities??

 

-Miguel

[Pennie 26]

Hey Miguel,

Don't know if these suggestions will help but they can't hurt. Some of the different things I have done are:

1. I buy Pizza or some sort of lunch for nursing all shifts.

2. I have contest that involve the different units. i.e. Halloween , Thanksgiving, Xmas. The best decotaed units get prizes. Chek w/ admin but on one of these the staff gets a paid day off or they can tak ethe 8 hrs pay. What I do have the unit nurse for each unit decide who helps & the ok the days off. Basially a unit wins & she/he takes over fron there. This is a hugh involvement at the facility. Othe rawards can be printed T-Shirts, a meal, gift cert etc.

3. Have activities that involve the satff i.e. races that have the differnt units where they compete against each other Have a unit nurse lay in a bed unmade, have CNA's from different unit try to make it while th enuser fights them. the nurse wants her team to win, blind fold 2 CNA,s & have 1 try & feed the other, balloon race etc.

4. Offer special lunches you can charge a small amount or it can be free like nachos, hot dogs, ice cream sundaes etc. Have the res make items & serve them w/ act staff help.

5. Sit with them during lunch or breaks & ask about their family, friends etc. get to know them. Let them know how much you appericate their work & help.

6. Answer a call light or ask if you can help ass't residents to meals etc.

7. Have a contest where the CNA who brings most res. or the res. on the list (per CP's) to act.

8. Secret Pals amoung staff works great too.

After you do several of these things you will have the help of most of them. Once they see you appericate them & their work & that you don't think you are any better (not that you do but they may think you do) you will have enlisted some good co-workers.

Just be creative on what you do & on ways to reward them,

Plus the DON should be insiting that they help according to the federal regs.

Speak w/ him/her about the problems if no luck then speak w/ Admin. As last resort get the CMS guidelines out & hi-light areas about all being involved in res. lives.

Lastly if all else fails then when state gets in & if they ask you about why res are not at activities be frank w/ them about them not helping.

Back this up w/ documentation on why res. in not at specific activities

i.e. res. not OOB, not dressed, whatever the reason was.

 

Also.. I have passed out a few trivia print-outs with residents names listed, that they might have a familiar topic of discussion. Though they may toss them in the trash, at least they will have a participation answer for state.. when asked how they helped with activities..

 

Best of luck to you Pennie