Abstract
The hospice and palliative nursing assistant is an essential member of the interdisciplinary caregiving team. In recognition of the important, specialized knowledge and skills required of these nursing assistants, the National Board for Certification of Hospice and Palliative Nurses established the first and only certification program for nursing assistants. Since 2002, more than 3852 nursing assistants have received designation as a Certified Hospice and Palliative Nursing Assistant. This study used two established instruments, the Better Jobs Better Care Survey of Direct Care Workers and the Perceived Value of Certification Tool, to ascertain the demographics and attitudes of hospice and palliative nursing assistants. A total of 795 nursing assistants (343 certified, 452 not certified) from across the nation participated. Data were analyzed to ascertain differences between the two groups. Those certified were older, made more per hour, had been nursing assistants longer, had been with their current employer longer, and were more likely to view their job as a long-term career when compared with the noncertified nurse. All study participants expressed high levels of regard for specialty certification; however, 25% of respondents were not aware of the Certified Hospice and Palliative Nursing Assistant program. Organizational support of certification was the factor most predictive of nursing assistant certification.