CNA Turnover and Retention in nursing homes

As the aging population continues to increase, so will the need for adequate staffing in skilled nursing facilities. Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) are essential staff members as they provide the most direct care to residents. Unfortunately, they also have the highest turnover rate among long-term care nursing staff. CNAs can be grouped into stayers, switchers, and leavers. There are many factors which affect CNA turnover and cause these staff members to become either switchers or leavers. These factors include: the demand of direct care work, nursing home status and demographics, pay and benefits, the relationship with their supervisor, and job status. Skilled nursing facilities with lower CNA turnover are able to achieve a higher quality of care. Like many skilled nursing facilities, UPMC Senior Communities is dealing with the issue of retaining CNAs. Common themes for CNA turnover at this organization include the physical demand of the job, negative relationships between CNAs and their supervisors, and lack of career advancement. The public health significance of examining Certified Nursing Assistant turnover and retention in nursing homes is related to the fact that for the most part, the aging process will affect everyone. As the population ages, if skilled nursing facilities do not increase their retention rates for CNAs there will not be enough long-term care staff available to care for everyone that will need it