Immigrant and non-immigrant certified nursing assistants in nursing homes

Abstract

This study analyzes the 2004 National Nursing Assistant Survey and other survey data to examine the characteristics and experiences of immigrant and non-immigrant certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in nursing facilities. Descriptive results focus on differences in personal characteristics, working conditions, extrinsic rewards, work experiences, job satisfaction, and workplace discrimination. The findings indicate that immigrant CNAs are older, better educated, and somewhat more highly paid than their non-immigrant counterparts but also experience substantial levels of discrimination and language-related communication barriers at work. The paper discusses major policy issues that arise from the increase in immigrant labor in long-term care.