Abstract
Aims and objectives: This study aimed to gain insight into the experiences and needs of certified nursing assistants regarding their coaching by bachelor-educated registered nurses in nursing homes. Background: Certified nursing assistants are key in providing day-to-day nursing home care. They are, however, not trained to meet the increasingly complex needs of nursing home residents. For certified nursing assistants to respond to high-complexity care, coaching by bachelor-educated registered nurses may be appropriate. Yet, knowledge of how bachelor-educated registered nurses can provide valid coaching is lacking. Design: An explorative qualitative design was adopted. Methods: Certified nursing assistants (n = 13) were purposively selected from 10 Dutch nursing homes. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in 2020 and 2021, and thematic analysis was applied. Results: Two main themes emerged: connecting with certified nursing assistants, and the coaching activities themselves. Certified nursing assistants deemed several aspects important for bachelor-educated registered nurses to connect with them: respecting the autonomy of certified nursing assistants, being visible and reachable, adapting communication, clarifying own job description, and participating in care. Certified nursing assistants perceived coaching by bachelor-educated registered nurses as valuable when they fulfil their needs through activities such as empowering, teaching, and mediating between management and certified nursing assistants. Conclusions: Valid coaching of certified nursing assistants appears possible and requires specific competencies of bachelor-educated registered nurses.
