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Michigan just changed the rules for every CNA in the state. A federal report found nursing homes drugging dementia residents to keep them quiet. And one CNA refused to look the other way when a nurse told her not to chart what she found. Let's get into it.
THE PAY CHECK
Money, wages, and what you’re worth.
You're Probably Leaving CNA Discounts on the Table
Here's something most CNAs don't realize: you qualify for the same verified discounts that nurses get. ID.me, the free verification platform, includes Certified Nursing Assistants in their nurse discount program. Once you verify your CNA status (takes about five minutes), you unlock deals on scrubs, shoes, phone plans, electronics, travel, and more.
These aren't the generic "healthcare worker appreciation" deals that require a hospital email. This is verified access tied to your state certification. The savings add up fast on things you're already buying.
Set up your free account at id.me/nurses and verify your CNA status. Five minutes now, discounts from here on out.
Help us build something: We want to create a CNA discount resource on TheCNAGuide. If you know of any deals, perks, or freebies available to CNAs, hit reply and tell us. We'll compile the best ones and share the full list.
SHIFT REPORT
What’s happening in CNA world this week.
Michigan CNAs: New CE Requirement Just Took Effect
As of March 23, every Michigan CNA must complete 12 hours of continuing education per year to renew. If you work in a nursing home, your facility's in-service training counts. If you work in home health or a hospital, you'll need to find approved CE on your own. The renewal fee is now $40. If your certification expires on or after March 23, this applies to you.
Full breakdown on our Michigan page.Massachusetts Bill Would Make Assaulting Healthcare Workers a Felony
A healthcare worker in Massachusetts faces verbal or physical assault every 36 minutes. The state House passed a bill upgrading assault on a healthcare worker from a misdemeanor to a felony, with up to 5 years in prison (10 for serious injury). More than 30 states already have similar laws, and the trend is moving in the right direction. If you've ever been hit, kicked, or grabbed on the job and felt like nothing happened, more states are starting to treat that the way it should be treated. The bill is now waiting on a Senate vote before July.
WBURFederal Report: Nursing Homes Drugging Dementia Residents to Keep Them Quiet
The Office of Inspector General found nursing homes using antipsychotic drugs on dementia residents to control behavior, not to treat a diagnosis. Residents were medicated for playing with dolls, staying in bed, or repeatedly asking for help. Some facilities went further: coaching staff to add fake schizophrenia diagnoses to charts so the prescriptions wouldn't get flagged. This isn't a few bad facilities. The OIG called the findings "alarming" and widespread, and is pushing CMS to increase fines and refer clinicians to state licensing boards.
Skilled Nursing News
FROM THE FLOOR
Real talk from the job.
Don't Chart It Until Tomorrow
During last rounds, a CNA noticed new pressure sores on a resident who was already at risk. She told the nurse. The nurse's response: "Don't chart it until tomorrow, because then I have to do something about it."
She charted it anyway. And reported it.
That takes guts when you're the one with less authority in the room. But charting what you see is the job. Your documentation protects the resident first, and it protects you second. If something goes wrong later and it wasn't charted, you're the one answering questions about why not.
See something, chart it. Every time.
YOUR MOVE
Career paths, certifications, and what comes next.
Thinking About LPN or RN? Here's What the Path Actually Looks Like
If you've been thinking about moving up, you have more options than you might realize. CNA-to-LPN bridge programs typically run 10 to 12 months. CNA-to-RN programs take 2 to 4 years depending on whether you go the ADN or BSN route. Many are built for working CNAs with evening and weekend schedules.
The clinical hours you already have give you a real edge. You know patient care. You're comfortable in the environment. Nursing schools value that, and some programs offer accelerated tracks for candidates with CNA experience.
Before you start researching on your own, ask your current employer what they offer. Some facilities cover part or all of your tuition in exchange for a work commitment after graduation. It costs nothing to ask.
We put together a full guide on your options:
BREAK ROOM
You’ve earned a laugh.
Your Best C. Diff Story
A CNA shared their latest shift with a resident who's been on C. Diff treatment for about a week. Full gown. Gloves on. Hair pulled back. The whole suit-up. Walks into the room and greets the resident with a big cheerful "Hello, gorgeous!"
The resident immediately reached up and caressed her face.
Gown, gloves, hair back, the works. None of it mattered. She finished helping the resident get dressed, walked out, and scrubbed her face with soap and water.
If you've done long-term care, you have a C. Diff story. Got one that tops this? Hit reply. We know you have one.
Gown, gloves, hair back. None of it mattered.
That's your brief for this week. Back in your inbox next Wednesday.
Always improving: hit reply and tell us what you'd like to see more of, or less of. We read every response.
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See you next week
The CNA Brief
A publication of thecnaguide.com