Associations between state regulations, training length, perceived quality and job satisfaction among certified nursing assistants: cross-sectional secondary data analysis.
BACKGROUND
In the U.S., there are federal requirements on how much training and annual continuing education a certified nursing assistant must complete in order to be certified. The requirements are designed to enable them to provide competent and quality care to nursing home residents. Many states also require additional training and continuing education hours as improved nursing home quality indicators have been found to be related to increased training.


OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the associations among state level regulations, initial training quality and focus, and job satisfaction in certified nursing assistants.


METHODS
Cross-sectional secondary data analysis.


METHODS
This study used the National Nursing Home Survey and National Nursing Assistant Survey as well as data on state regulations of certified nursing assistant training.


METHODS
2897 certified nursing assistants in 580 nursing homes who were currently working at a nursing home facility, who represented 680,846 certified nursing assistants in US.


METHODS
State regulations were related to initial training and job satisfaction among certified nursing assistants using chi square tests and binomial logistic regression models. Analyses were conducted using SAS-callable SUDAAN to correct for complex sampling design effects in the National Nursing Home Survey and National Nursing Assistant Survey. Models were adjusted for personal and facility characteristics.


RESULTS
Certified nursing assistants reporting high quality training were more likely to work in states requiring additional initial training hours (p=0.02) and were more satisfied with their jobs (OR=1.51, 95% CI=1.09-2.09) than those with low quality training. In addition, those with more training focused on work life skills were 91% more satisfied (OR=1.91, 95% CI=1.41-2.58) whereas no relationship was found between training focused on basic care skills and job satisfaction (OR=1.36, 95% CI=0.99-1.84).


CONCLUSIONS
Certified nursing assistants with additional initial training were more likely to report that their training was of high quality, and this was related to job satisfaction. Job satisfaction was also associated with receiving more training that focused on work life skills. Federal training regulations should reconsider additional hours for certified nursing assistant initial training, and include work life skills as a focus. As job satisfaction has been linked to nursing home turnover, attention to training may improve satisfaction, ultimately reducing staff turnover.
Chung-Ang University Red Cross College of Nursing, Seoul, South Korea.
Kihye
K
Han
University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD, USA. Electronic address: trinkoff@son.umaryland.edu.
Alison M
AM
Trinkoff
University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Carla L
CL
Storr
University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Nancy
N
Lerner
University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Meg
M
Johantgen
University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Kyungsook
K
Gartrell
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008875:Middle Aged; D009728:Nursing Assistants / Q000523:psychology / Q000592:standards*; D011787:Quality of Health Care
Certified nursing assistant; Education; Job satisfaction; Nursing home; Regulation; Training