Nurse Reporter Winter 2007 - Wyoming State Board of Nursing

Leveling the Roles of a CNA
through Expanded Training
The Wyoming Board of Nursing along with the Wyoming Nurses Association
and other interested nursing groups have been working this past year formulating a
plan to expand the role of the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) to meet the
needs of nurses and healthcare in the state. The Board would like to have the proposed
“Expanded Role of the CNA” incorporated into their Board Administrative
Rules and Regulations which will be promulgated in April 2007. To meet our goal,
we are asking your assistance.
CNAs are invaluable team members, without a doubt. Expanding their duties
and responsibilities through further training and safe delegation of nursing tasks by
registered nurses may assist in the provision of quality nursing care in this era of low
nursing supply. The Board is proposing two levels of CNA’s. A Level 1 CNA
would perform basic nursing skills and personal care activities currently in the
Wyoming Rules and Regulations and as required by the Code of Federal
Regulations. A Level II CNA would perform additional nursing tasks/skills such as
elimination, oxygenation, and nutrition and administration of specified medications
consistent with rules and regulations to be developed. All training for Level
II CNA would be given in an institution of higher education and the certification
and registry would be maintained by the WSBN.
What are your reactions to this plan? The WSBN is interested in your ideas. You
can have input into the next phase of this project by answering the following questions.
Survey to Registered Nurses Concerning your interest in Delegation
to a Certified Nurse’s Assistant in an Expanded Role
Please answer all questions as thoroughly as possible in order that the WSBN may act to
implement ideas that might improve your work satisfaction and improve patient care.
1. In what kind of health care facility do you work?
2. How many years have you worked as a registered nurse?
3. How many patients/residents are you assigned in a typical shift?
Is this reasonable? If not, how many are reasonable?
4. Would you be comfortable delegating designated duties/tasks to a CNA
prepared for that duty/task?
5. What tasks/duties would you like to be able to delegate to a prepared CNA?
6. Do you view delegation and those responsibilities inherent in delegation
as a benefit?
7. Do you view delegation to a CNA in an expanded role as an increasing liability?
8. What non-nursing tasks do you perform that detract from nursing functions?
9. Keeping in mind cost containment, what kind of changes in staffing would
you recommend that would lead to improved patient care?
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Please send responses to marcia@uwyo.edu or to the WSBN at 1800 W.
Pioneer Street, Cheyenne, WY 82001 by April 15.
12 W Y O M I N G N U R S E R E P O R T E R