title: Second-career CNAs in nursing homes: tapping an underused resource.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to describe the characteristics, work perceptions, and factors influencing employment of second-career certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in nursing homes. The qualitative descriptive design included a purposeful sample of 17 participants from 5 nursing homes. Data generation consisted of demographic surveys and audiotaped interviews that were transcribed, coded, and analyzed for emerging themes. Four themes were identified: negative first impressions of the work did not deter second-career CNAs, second-career CNAs lived out personal ideals and values through their work, positive relationships and job benefits retained second-career CNAs, and second-career CNAs expressed hopes for transforming nursing homes. Results revealed a group of committed, mature workers to fill labor shortages in an essential health care setting.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Regis University, Rueckert-Hartman School for Health Care Professions, Denver, CO 80221-1099, USA. kpenning@regis.edu
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pennington
authors.forename: Joann G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Congdon
authors.forename: Joan K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Magilvy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002321:Career Choice; D003120:Colorado; D004651:Employment / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015401:Nursing Administration Research; D009728:Nursing Assistants / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology*; D009735:Nursing Homes; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010558:Personnel Loyalty; D010560:Personnel Selection; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012456:Salaries and Fringe Benefits; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000078329:Workforce