title: Iowa certified nursing assistants study: self-reported ratings of the nursing home work environment.
abstract: Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) are the principal bedside caregivers in nursing homes, yet little is known about their perceptions of the work environment. This population-based, cross-sectional study used a mailed questionnaire to a random sample of Iowa CNAs (N=584), representing 166 nursing homes. Of the respondents, 88.5% (n=517) were currently employed in long-term care settings; however, 11.5% (n=67) indicated they had left their jobs. When CNA responses were compared with those of other occupational groups, general workers reported higher scores on involvement, coworker cohesion, work pressure, and supervisor support. Those who left their CNA jobs rated their work environment as characteristic of excessive managerial control and task orientation. Results of this study emphasize the importance of the relationship between CNAs and their supervisors, CNAs' need for greater autonomy and innovation, and the need for the work environment to change dramatically in the area of human resource management.
authors.affiliation: Adult and Gerontological Area of Study, The University of Iowa College of Nursing, Iowa City, IA 52241, USA. ken-culp@uiowa.edu
authors.forename: Kennith
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Culp
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ramey
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Karlman
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002568:Certification; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006272:Health Facility Environment / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D007484:Iowa; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009728:Nursing Assistants / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology*; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009745:Nursing, Supervisory / Q000458:organization & administration; D010558:Personnel Loyalty; D010563:Personnel Turnover / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012456:Salaries and Fringe Benefits / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017132:Workplace / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology