(foreground left to right) Janeanica Wade, CNA and Johnny Tafoya, CNA practice care on a simulated patient while Mary Flores, RN gives input and tips to help the incoming CNAs be better caregivers on day one. Also pictured in the background observing (left to right) are Megan Alvarado, CNA
and Jaleesa Castillo, CNA

July 21, 2017 – One of the biggest challenges in healthcare is knowing what to do and say when working with a real live patient on your first day. At Gila Regional Medical Center (GRMC) new Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) are going through a boot camp training to improve patient care. Mary Flores, a Registered Nurse (RN) and Sonia Sanchez, a CNA, put the new CNAs through potential patient situations to help them be more prepared for real life patient interactions. A combination of techniques, such as role-playing and hands on simulations, are used to represent actual patient care scenarios that the CNAs will encounter at GRMC.

"The boot camp really helps to give the CNAs some insight into their day-to-day duties," said Mary Flores, RN. "The training improves overall patient care and caregiver morale. It is also a great team building experience. We keep the training fun and educational so that it really sticks with the new CNAs."

Initiatives such as the CNA Boot Camp help GRMC's staff give better care and a better hospital experience for patients and their families.

"It is important for our community to know that when they come to GRMC they will receive the very best care," said Taffy Arias, Chief Executive Officer at Gila Regional. "It is a given that all caregivers have the expertise to do their jobs. What makes the difference is being able to deliver quality care with compassion and understanding."

Gila Regional Medical Center is a county-owned, not-for-profit, 68-bed acute care hospital with a strong commitment to the people they serve. Investments in technology and certified caregivers provide quality care delivery through a patient-centered approach. It is home to the Gila Regional Cancer Center; the Surgical Center of the Southwest and was rated a 4-Star Quality Care Hospital by the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services.