Quality Improvement Evaluation in Support of a Structured Onboarding Process for CNAs

Abstract An onboarding program for newly hired Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) is important for stabilizing competency and ability to perform high-quality care for residents in a residential facility. However, an onboarding program at an 80-bed residential living facility has not been consistent, which leads to concerns about the quality of care and competency levels. To address these issues, a project was conducted at this facility that serves a diverse population of elderly residents who require various levels of care. The focus was on newly hired CNAs who often face challenges in their roles due to inadequate onboarding. With this, feedback from both new and current CNAs was utilized to analyze the procedures. Interventions included the development of a prospective onboarding program that incorporates training, effective communication, and performance evaluations which aim to enhance overall CNA competency. The measures evaluated the effectiveness of the current onboarding program through surveys including pre- and post-onboarding competency assessments. In conclusion, enhancing the onboarding experience for CNAs will significantly benefit both staff and residents. By providing a more structured onboarding process, the team can cultivate a more skilled workforce, elevate the quality of care, and ultimately align with the organization’s goals and priorities. Keywords: CNA onboarding, Certified Nursing Assistant training, healthcare onboarding best practices, new hire orientation in healthcare, competency assessment, quality of care, residential living facility