The Certification of Nursing Assistants in Wound Care

Objectives:

To develop educational program that prepares Nursing Assistants for national wound care certification examination

Literature:

Hospital acquired pressure ulcers have become a growing and more frequent problem in our hospital settings. To alleviate the physical, psychological, financial and compliance issues associated with this condition it is important for hospitals to implement effective reduction and prevention strategies. Nursing assistants perform many of the duties associated with skin breakdown prevention.  These duties include: skin care, turning and positioning patients, and feeding patients.  Traditionally only professional nurses have received wound care certification.  As nurses rely heavily on nursing assistants to provide direct patient care and that pressure ulcer prevention and treatment requires continual evaluation and intervention, the certification of nursing assistants in wound care and prevention is an integral part of quality patient care delivery. 

Project Design and Implementation:

A systematic search of the literature on wound care education was conducted.  Peer reviewed and grey literature were included.

Results:

A national nursing assistant certification exam in wound care was found during the literature search. National certification for nurses in wound care is associated with a decreasein wound care incidence and progression.  Certification of nursing assistants in hospice and palliative care is associated with better reported patient outcomes and better nurse aide job satisfaction and engagement. Curriculum required for success on the exam was also found and synthesized.  We are beginning to develop a review program for nursing assistants to use within our facility to prepare for the exam and to receive certification in collaboration with our nurse researcher, professional practice director, and nurse educators.

Recommendations:

For certification in delivery of patient care specialty areas to be available to nursing assistants to assist nurses in providing quality patient care and to increase nursing assistant engagement and job satisfaction.