👩‍⚕️ Are CNAs Being Heard? What Frontline Caregivers Really Think About Workplace Culture

The unsung heroes of long-term care? Certified Nursing Assistants. CNAs are often the first in and the last out when it comes to caring for our most vulnerable. But beneath the scrubs and heartwarming compassion lies a tough question:

Do CNAs feel appreciated, supported, and truly part of their organization’s culture?

That’s the question I set out to answer with my recent study: “Health Care Communication of Values and Cultures from a CNA Perspective.” Spoiler alert: the results reveal a major gap in how we talk about culture—and how CNAs actually experience it.

🧐 Why This Study Matters

Healthcare turnover, especially among CNAs, is sky-high. And while we often talk about "workplace culture" as a buzzword, I wanted to know how that culture actually feels on the floor.

I deployed a 29-question survey in a private CNA Facebook group with 95,000 members. Only 20 people responded (thanks to rising spam concerns), but what they said still speaks volumes.

📋 Four Big Hypotheses I Tested

I wanted to know:

1. Do CNAs feel valued by their employers?

2. Do they feel their company provides effective communication?

3. Do they believe their work is making a difference?

4. Is there a connection between a positive work environment and strong teamwork?

🗣️ What CNAs Told Me

🧍‍♀️ Feeling Valued: A Mixed Bag

Many CNAs said they somewhat feel appreciated by their supervisors—but the scores were lukewarm. For example, on whether they feel their work is recognized, the average was only 5.9/10. Pay fairness and input into schedules also received low scores, signaling a disconnection between leadership and frontline staff.

📡 Communication: We’ve Got a Problem

This was the most concerning result. Out of eight questions related to communication, only one had positive feedback. CNAs feel left out of decisions and underequipped to do their jobs well. Communication breakdowns directly affect patient care and staff morale.

❤️ Making a Difference: Still a Bright Spot

Despite cultural challenges, CNAs strongly believe their work matters. They rated their impact on residents’ lives positively—a testament to their heart, dedication, and sense of purpose.

🧩 Teamwork & Culture: Connected

When asked if good communication from management led to stronger teamwork, most CNAs agreed. However, inconsistent leadership presence and unclear values still pose a barrier to creating a truly cohesive environment.

🏥 What It All Means for Healthcare Leaders

Culture isn’t a mission statement—it’s how your people feel Monday through Friday. And CNAs are feeling unseen, unheard, and unsupported in communication-heavy roles that require trust and clarity.

Leadership matters. Training matters. Values matter. And communication is the thread that ties it all together.

🔄 Recommendations for Facilities

If you’re a healthcare administrator, here’s where to start:

• Listen intentionally to CNAs—through regular check-ins, surveys, and open-door policies.

• Train managers to model and reinforce organizational values daily.

• Create communication channels that flow both ways.

• Conduct regular audits on staff morale, culture, and communication quality.

Need help starting? That’s where Talk Tactics comes in.

📣 Talk Tactics Can Help

We work with long-term care facilities to improve internal communication, boost team alignment, and create cultures that staff want to stay in—not flee from.

✅ Schedule a “Care Clarity Audit” today✅ Empower your CNAs and strengthen your culture from the inside out

👉 Let’s talk about how communication can save your team.