~Announcing~

32nd Annual National Nursing Assistants' and Direct Care Workers Week 2009-

June 11-18, 2009

32nd Annual Career Nursing Assistants Day - June 11, 2009

Yes WE Can ©

The Teamworks Initiative <www.cna-network.org>

TEN STEPS FOR PLANNING ©

It is not too early to begin planning for the 32nd Annual National Nursing Assistants and DCW Week June 11-18, 2009.

Our focus for 2009 is on TEAMWORK and the Circle of Caring. Each day of NAW addresses a different aspect of

soft competencies of caring. Watch for more info on our web site at < www.cna-network.org>

1. Get excited about the wonderful possibilities for honoring our important health care workers - Start talking and

brainstorming about creative projects and programs that can be developed in your facility or in your area.

2. Bring people together for planning The 32nd Annual. Nationwide observance of National Nursing Assistants Week

provides many opportunities that are fun and also rewarding during NA Week but also throughout the year. It is not too

early to appoint a Planning Committee to pull this all together.

3. Ask your Mayor to proclaim the week - Community awareness of the unique contributions of the nursing assistant can

be enhanced when your Mayor proclaims Nursing Assistants Week to the citizens of your community. A Proclamation

suitable for signing by your mayor or public official can be ordered at minimal cost at the address below or downloaded at

no cost at our web site at < www.cna-network.org> Start your NAW Scrapbook now.

4. Brainstorm ways to recognize and honor nursing assistants - Nursing assistants can be a wonderful source of creative

ideas when they know they are not being tested. Often the most far-out ideas are the most relevant and successful. The

goal is to generate as many good ideas as possible and involve as many people as possible. Teams can be an effective way

to generate ideas and also build positive communications.

5. Select and organize your projects and programs Plan to do some Cartooning for Teams; work on an I am a

Team Player at the Skin Fair, I Choose Respect or Taking Care of Self - and have fun while you are sending

an important messages to others. Each day of NA Week provides a unique opportunity to focus on a different aspect of

TEAMWORKS. Projects initiated during NA Week 09 can be continued throughout the year for value added. Work on

a committee, use your own great ideas, download materials from our web site, or purchase the NAW Planning and PR

Guide (see below) The Planning Guide includes activities for each day of NAW and suggestions of ways you can continue

these programs throughout the year. It also includes discussion guides, sample press release, Proclamation forms, certificate

master, and info for planning.

6. Involve public officials and community leaders - In addition to signing a Proclamation, your Mayor may want to

attend your celebration activities and may even have some ideas of his/her own. A Deputy Mayor in one state invited local

Nursing Assistants Week Committee Members to her home for a home cooked gourmet meal.

7. Promote your events to the community - Newspapers, TV and radio stations are interested in local events and may

provide special coverage of your events. Media representatives can provide guidelines for submission of your release.

8. Promote your projects in the facility Internal networking can get people involved and build anticipation for the good

we can do when we work together. Posters or invitations can be made by the NA Committee, a craft class, the Residents

Council, family members or the local high school or college. Include in your scrapbook.

9. Keep it moving It is June 11 - the first day of the 32nd Annual National Nursing Assistants Week. Your staff will cover

resident care. You invited the newspaper to photograph your Most Service Years Recipient. Residents are busy

coaching nursing assistants about hair styles and how to smile at the camera. The pins and t-shirts are ready for awards and

the names are spelled correctly on the certificates. Your check off list is complete. You just brought it all together. Enjoy.

10. Plan to plan for next year - What was the best thing you did for Nursing Assistants Week? What would you like to do

differently next year? Answering these important questions now will help your plans go even better next year. A final

summary of your activities and outcomes expected and unexpected can be a part of your scrapbook.

Find more info on our web site - www.cna-network.org. (currently being renovated bookmark and watch for more info)

The National Network of Career Nursing Assistants

3577 Easton Road, Norton, Ohio 44203-5661

(330) 825 9342. (330) 825 9378 fax. Email - cnajeni@aol.com.

~Founder and sponsor of the annual nationwide observance of Nursing Assistants Week 1977-2009~