Spotlight on: Annie Bryant, CNA

Annie Bryant is a 37-year veteran of the front lines at Regency Extended Care Center in Yonkers, N.Y. When it comes to the staffing crisis in nursing homes, Bryant is outspoken. She is active in 1199 SEIU, New York's Health and Human Service Union, and has testified before the New York City Council's Committee on Aging. In June 2001, Bryant addressed her fellow CNAs from the steps of the New York State Capitol in Albany. "We are the Joshuas of this day," she said. "We will blow our horns and sound our trumpets until they sign a safe-staffing bill."

What led you to become a certified nursing assistant?

Bryant: First of all, I like people and I enjoy talking to our seniors. And I enjoy caring for people. So once I got into it, it's something I fell in love with and the rest is history.

What was the field like when you started out 37 years ago?

Bryant: It was what they used to call "mom and pop" places for senior citizens who needed someone to look after them. It was a comfortable setting where you knew you could sit and talk with the residents.

In those days, did you have the same difficulty finding staff that you have now?

Bryant: No, there were quite a few people coming into the field. It's only in the past 10 to 15 years that it has gotten to the point that both nurses and CNAs are leaving.

What are some of the reasons for that?

Bryant: First of all, it's money. And second, it's staffing. Because people are not going into the field anymore, there's always a problem with short staffing. You do your best to help when there's short staffing, knowing that if any little thing goes wrong, you either lose your certificate or there's a possibility you could be brought up on charges. People are saying it's just not worth it.

Especially if someone could go down to WalMart and make just as much money.

Bryant: Exactly! And without the hassle and the aggravation.

What kind of training did you have to become a CNA?

Bryant: We had to go to nurses' aide training, and we are mandated by the state to have at least 12 in-services during the year to upgrade ourselves and maintain our knowledge. Because we're getting a new type of resident, what they're doing now is retraining us on coping with hostile residents?how to deal with Alzheimer's and dementia.

How should a caregiver deal with an agitated resident who might become violent?

Bryant: You need to get out of the way and call for help because it's not only physically dangerous for you and the resident, but you could lose your license and be charged with abuse. It's a critical situation.

You testified before New York City Council members that nursing homes are attracting workers at "the bottom of the barrel." Could you elaborate on that?

Bryant: Basically, it's people who don't care. They come in and they don't do the job that they know they can do, because they're only looking for a way to make a few dollars. In the meantime, the residents are not being properly taken care of. The feeling and the compassion for the residents are no longer there.

In addition to raising pay, what do you think could be done to attract and retain a higher caliber of workers?

Bryant: There should be longer-term courses that workers should be mandated to take to upgrade our training and to illustrate to us how to handle a resident who's hostile without injuring the resident or yourself.

And it's up to management and the directors of nursing to offer incentives for the employees. Promote "self- worthiness"?make the employees feel good about themselves and their job. From time to time in our facility, they do what we call the "Employee of the Month." There should be recognition for a person who's been working for 30 years or more.

Do you think mandatory staffing ratios are part of the answer?

Bryant: Yes?if we could encourage our legislators to pass a safe-staffing bill and allocate the necessary funds, we could turn the nursing home crisis around and make it better, not just for our seniors but for the workers also.

What do you find most rewarding about your work?

Bryant: To know that I've been able to put a smile on someone's face. To know that I have been able to at least be there to listen as they talk and sometimes cry. Sometimes they're angry because they're in a nursing home. I like to know that I made a difference in their lives. For example, I have a resident who likes to write letters to people, but she can't see very well. She wants to make sure the address on her letter is correct. So if I have a few minutes, I take the time to address the letter for her, make sure it's stamped, then take it and mail it.

What advice would you give a young person who is considering a career as a CNA?

Bryant: I would like them to know that if they love caring about people, they should go into the field. You get a lot of knowledge from our seniors in return. It's simply that love begets love. When we love our residents, they in turn reach out and love us.