Behavior Management Training for Nurse Aides: Is it Effective?

Nursing assistants are responsible for 80% to 90% of all direct resident care in nursing homes, but are the least well trained personnel. Even with currently mandated training, specific skills to meet mental health needs are not taught. Training in behavior management skills prepares aides to observe and respond to problem behaviors more effectively. Aides view their own use of skills as increased by this training. To be practically useful, mental health training programs for nurse aides should be provided by professional personnel in brief, concrete, self-contained units that model the skills they present.