Certified Nursing Assistant/Home Health Aide Program Philosophy

The philosophy of The Santa Barbara City College Certified Nursing Assistant/Home Health Aide (CNA/HHA) Program is consistent with The Certified Nurse Assistant and Assessment Program (NATAP) Model Curriculum. The CNA NATAP Model Curriculum was originally published in 1994 and provides guidance to CNA training programs. The NATAP curriculum contains a statement of philosophy, which is "to promote quality of patient care; to provide entry-level skills for employment as a CNA and to provide awareness of opportunities/choices in health care occupations...The CNA curriculum is based upon the following beliefs

• Individuals have the right to optimum health care delivered in a safe environment by a competent caregiver.
  
  
• Learning occurs in an atmosphere of mutual respect; where questioning is welcomed, problem solving is encouraged, and opportunities for guided practice exist.
  
  
• The CNA is an important member of the health care team. The CNA, under the direct supervision of licensed nursing personnel, provided direct care to the resident; promotes comfort measures, and collects, records and reports data.
  
  
• Individuals have the right to the fulfillment of their basic physical, psychosocial, and spiritual needs."
  (Chancellor's Office, 1998, p.V)

The major concept on which the SBCC CNA/HHA curriculum is based follows Maslow's Theory of Basic Human Needs. The premise of this theory is that all humans have needs that must be met for survival. These needs are arranged in a hierarchy so that as lower level needs are met, higher level needs emerge. These needs starting from lower to higher level needs include physical, safety and security, love and belonging, self-esteem and self-actualization. Taking into account the above needs, the SBCC CNA/HHA Program recognizes individuals as bio-psycho-spiritual beings. Principles from the program are taken from the physical, biological and behavioral sciences and woven into the curriculum.

The NATAP Model Curriculum also focuses on underlying concepts, which are called the Six Principles of Care. These concepts are privacy, infection control, communication, safety, independence and dignity. The importance of the CNA in adhering to all six concepts when they are taking care of residents is stressed throughout the entire curriculum.

References
Chancellor's Office, California Community Colleges (1998). Model curriculum for nurse assistants (NATAP). Sacramento: Chancellor's Office, California Community Colleges.