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Nursing Leadership and Management Resources
AAPACN’s nursing leadership and management resources include articles, tips, and tools to help DONs/DNSs and other facility leaders fill the gap between clinical nursing and the regulatory and business knowledge needed for success. AAPACN helps you ensure survey readiness, improve QMs and 5-Star results, and strengthen your facility’s bottom line.
- The Art of Delegation for the Director of Nursing Services: Safe Practices and Strategies to Overcome Common ChallengesThe role of the director of nursing services (DNS) in a skilled nursing facility (SNF) can be stressful due to the number of competing priorities in each day. Delegation, when done properly, can help relieve …
- Keys to Competencies in Infection Prevention and ControlUnder F-tag 726 (Competent Nursing Staff) in Appendix PP of the State Operations Manual, nursing staff, including registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical or vocational nurses (LPNs/LVNs), and certified nursing assistants (CNAs), must have “the competencies …
- AAPACN’s Nursing Department Culture Assessment and Improvement WorksheetTo improve staff retention, the director of nursing services (DNS) and administrator should regularly assess the nursing department’s culture. AAPACN’s Nursing Department Culture Assessment and Improvement Worksheet can help the DNS and administrator review multiple …
- Improve Staffing and Quality Care Through Individualized Culture Change of the Nursing DepartmentStaff turnover is a nationwide problem for nursing homes and it may be worse than previous reports have suggested, according to a study of newly available Payroll-Based Journal data published in the National Library of …
- Respiratory Outbreak! How to Protect the MDS and Capture Key Assessment DataWith the influenza season in full swing plus the ongoing peaks and valleys of COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) outbreaks across the United States, nurse assessment coordinators (NACs) should take steps both to protect …
- Communication Basics: How Nurse Leaders Can Build a Two-Way StreetA top-down or autocratic management style is becoming increasingly outdated for dealing with today’s healthcare workforce in non-emergent situations. Other leadership styles, such as transformational leadership, often work better to help staff feel valued, supported, …
- Speak Up! Improve Communication to Bolster the MDS ProcessEffective communication is the glue holding the MDS process together, says Stacy Grondel, BSN, RN, RAC-MT, CMAC, QCP. director of reimbursement operations at QRM in Addison, TX. “The nurse assessment coordinator (NAC) who is a …
- The Better Care Playbook: Improving Nursing Home Care Quality CollectionExcerpted from the John A Hartford Foundation: The Better Care Playbook has released a new Collection, “Improving Nursing Home Care Quality: Understanding the Evidence and State Opportunities,” for health care stakeholders, including policymakers, health plans and …
- Mentoring, Coaching, and Counseling, Oh My! How They All Fit Into The Disciplinary ProcessAs the leader of the nursing department, the director of nursing services (DNS) plays an integral role in the disciplinary process. Managing employee performance can be challenging, but it is necessary. Failure to address employees’ …
- Common Barriers and Risks Associated with Care Planning and How the DNS Can Support the Nursing TeamIn this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, chief nursing officer for AAPACN, and Denise Winzeler, BSN, RN, LNHA, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, curriculum development specialist for AAPACN, discuss common barriers in the care …
- How to Explain the Nurse Assessment Coordinator Role to OthersThe role of the nurse assessment coordinator (NAC) can often be an enigma to many nursing home staff. Misunderstandings about the position abound, and NACs may find it frustrating that no one knows what they …
- How the DNS Can Lead the Team Before, During, and After an EmergencyEmergencies can occur at any moment. Fires, hurricanes, snowstorms, ice storms, water main breaks, power outages, and outbreaks are just a few of the emergencies nursing homes must prepare for throughout the year. However, in …
- Trends in Ownership Structures of U.S. Nursing Homes and the Relationship with Facility Traits and Quality of CareKey points: Read the full report: https://aspe.hhs.gov/reports/nh-ownership-its-implications-quality-availability-care
- CDC: Health Workers Report Harassment, Symptoms of Poor Mental Health, and Difficult Working ConditionsMore than double the number of health workers reported harassment at work in 2022 than in 2018. This may include threats, bullying, verbal abuse, or other actions from patients and coworkers that create a hostile …
- Part of the Essential DNS Toolbox: Effective Daily Clinical RoundsThe director of nursing services (DNS) has many issues to prioritize each day, such as resident falls, staffing, and grievances. Unfortunately, the DNS may be tempted to relegate clinical rounds to “later,” considering them a …
- Operationalizing Change in the WorkplaceIn this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, chief nursing officer for AAPACN, and Linda Winston, RN, MSN, BS, RAC-CT, RAC-CTA, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, independent nurse consultant and educator, discuss how to operationalize …
- Section GG Data Collection ToolAAPACN has updated the Section GG 3-Day Data Collection Tool to include all of the new self-care and mobility items effective Oct. 1, 2023. This AAPACN resource is copyright protected. AAPACN individual members may download …
- Learning Timeline for AAPACN Education and ResourcesAre you considering advancing your career and looking to gain knowledge to be successful in your next role? Or are you already in the position you love but looking to improve your knowledge for additional …
- Business Case TemplateThere are times when the nursing department needs new solutions or process changes to enhance resident care or improve staff workload. Often, these are high-cost solutions that require approval from the governing body, executive staff, …
- Effective Business Case Development for Budget Wins and Better Care OutcomesThe phrase “budget development time” often elicits moans and groans from facility leadership. During this process, leadership usually asks the director of nursing services (DNS) if he or she has any requests of items to …
- The DNS’s Role in the Annual BudgetIn this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, chief nursing officer for AAPACN, and Denise Winzeler, BSN, RN, LNHA, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, curriculum development specialist for AAPACN, discuss the director of nursing services’ …
- TeamSTEPPS 3.0: Evidence-Based Teamwork Resources for Healthcare TeamsTeamSTEPPS is an evidence-based program designed to optimize the performance of healthcare teams. The Welcome Guides in this section provide an introduction to TeamSTEPPS 3.0 adapted to the needs of various TeamSTEPPS roles, including: …
- DNS and IDT Must Plan Ahead for Oct. 1 MDS ChangesThe Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the draft of the Long-Term Care Facility Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) 3.0 User’s Manual (RAI User’s Manual), version 1.18.11, in April 2023, noting substantial revisions. These …
- Proposed CoreQ: Short Stay Discharge Survey Measure Survey Protocols and Guidelines ManualCoreQ: Short Stay Discharge Survey CoreQ Short Stay Discharge Survey Protocols and Guidelines Manual and additional resources CMS-10852 (ZIP) From https://www.cms.gov/regulations-and-guidance/legislation/paperworkreductionactof1995/pra-listing/cms-10852
- Achieving Strong Resident Quality of Life Starts With Better Staff ManagementQuality of life is a “fundamental principle” that feeds into—and flows from—all resident care and services, according to 42 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) §483.24. The F-tag 675 surveyor guidance in Appendix PP of the …
- Prepare for a Conversation with Leadership Using SBARNurse assessment coordinators (NACs) work in a unique role. They have the responsibility of managing the MDS but are often not in supervisory position over the interdisciplinary team members that complete portions of the MDS. …
- Staff Retention: Check-Ins with New EmployeesNurse leaders make a tremendous difference in whether certified nurse aides (CNAs) and nurses decide to stay or leave the job, especially in the first 90 days of employment. One of the key ways the …
- Retaining Talent: Check-In with New Employee TemplateWhen new employees see their leader is invested in their success, including proficiency in their job performance as well as becoming a part of team, the odds of retaining the employee increase dramatically. AAPACN’s Retaining …
- How to Lead the Team When Everyone is TiredWith a long-lasting pandemic, staff shortages, increased federal reporting requirements, and survey changes in 2022, and new MDS changes in the year to come, one thing is certain—everyone is tired. Amid all this, the director …
- Facilitators Guide For the Root Cause Analysis (RCA) Method From QIO Telligen QI ConnectResource outlining the process for conducting an RCA. Access the resource here.
- How to Address Nurse Incivility in the WorkplaceIn this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, vice president of education and certification strategy for AAPACN, and Alexis Roam, MSN, RN-BC, QCP-MT, DNS-MT, AAPACN curriculum development specialist, discuss nurse incivility and …
- Staff Retention: The Power of Purpose and Meaningful WorkWhen the pandemic pummeled the nursing home workforce, nursing homes lost more jobs than any other healthcare setting. This loss compounded the staffing shortage facilities were already confronting, leaving many facility leaders physically and emotionally …
- Being a Fiscally Savvy DNSIn this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, vice president of education and certification strategy for AAPACN, and Denise Winzeler, BSN, RN, LNHA, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, AAPACN curriculum development specialist, discuss what it …
- Institute for Healthcare Improvement Age-Friendly Health Systems: Guide to Care of Older Adults in Nursing Homes (10/22)The Age-Friendly Health Systems: Guide to Care of Older Adults in Nursing Homes and the Age-Friendly Health Systems: A Workbook for Nursing Home Teams are designed to be used simultaneously to help care teams in …
- HHS ASPE: Nursing Home Staffing and the COVID-19 Pandemic (10/22)It is well known that in the early weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States much of the devastation was concentrated in nursing homes. In addition to the staggering death toll, isolation and …
- 4 Tips for Surviving the Mental Load of the NAC’s JobThe nurse assessment coordinator’s (NAC’s) job is mentally taxing. There is so much to keep track of—assessment reference dates, when to complete an interim payment assessment, how the case-mix adjusted components impact the Patient-Driven Payment …
- Nurse Leader Fundamentals: An OverviewIn this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, vice president of education and certification strategy for AAPACN and Denise Winzeler, BSN, RN, LNHA, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, curriculum development specialist for AAPACN, discuss AAPACN’s …
- Burnout: How Can Nurse Leadership Help?By Melanie Tribe-Scott, BSN, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, QCP The U.S. Surgeon General recently issued an advisory highlighting the urgent need to address the health worker burnout crisis across the country (Office of the U.S. Surgeon …
- 10 Tips to Feel More Confident as a New Nurse Assessment CoordinatorStarting out as a new nurse assessment coordinator (NAC) can be overwhelming. There’s so much to keep track of—from ensuring MDS assessments are in place to understanding all the components of the Patient-Driven Payment Model …
- Time to Review Those 2022 Goals: Will They Be Met?Long-term care has seen many changes this year; new vaccination regulations, the removal of some COVID-19 waivers, and, of course, ongoing changes related to COVID-19 have all required frequent adaptation. In this context, nurse leaders …
- How—and Why—to Maximize Your Staff’s Communication SkillsThis Oct. 24, surveyors will begin enforcing mandatory communication training requirements to ensure that direct-care staff can communicate effectively with residents under F-tag F941 (Communication Training) in Appendix PP of the State Operations Manual, according …
- Nurse Leader Fundamentals: An OverviewWhen I was an assistant director of nursing, I accepted a promotion and became the director of nursing services (DNS). I had been a nurse manager for a few years and thought I was prepared …
- Educational Planning Starts—but Doesn’t Stop—With the Facility AssessmentUsing the facility assessment to create an educational planning table seems pretty simple, but effective educational planning requires a more comprehensive, ongoing approach that addresses both competencies and global training needs identified from multiple sources. …
- CMS Memos QSO-22-17-ALL and QSO-22-18-ALL: Surveys for Compliance With COVID-19 Staff Vaccination Requirements, plus Surveyor Vaccination Requirements (6/22)Memo # QSO-22-17-ALL Surveys for compliance with Omnibus COVID-19 Health Care StaffVaccination Requirements Posting Date 2022-06-14 Fiscal Year 2022 Summary • Survey oversight of the staff vaccination requirement for Medicare and Medicaid-certified providers and suppliers …
- Work-Life Balance for the Director of Nursing ServicesThe vital role of director of nursing services (DNS) in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) comes with so many demands. DNSs are often—or always—on call for questions regarding changes in resident conditions; they often fill in …
- AHRQ Learning Module for Supporting Nursing Home Residents’ Emotional Health (5/22)AHRQ has released a new module to help frontline nursing home staff support their residents’ emotional health. The video module is designed to be self-paced and provides guidance on how staff can identify signs of …
- Becoming a Fiscally Savvy DNS – Part 2: Budget, Revenue, and Five-Star RatingsWhen one considers financial management, thoughts usually go to managing expenses first, which part one of this series discussed. However, managing revenue, Five-Star ratings, and the budgeting process are equally important to keeping the nursing department and …
- AHRQ 5-Minute Learning Modules for Frontline Staff: Staff Support, Resident Support, Leadership, Post-Vaccination Practice, COVID-19 Identification and Prevention, Vaccination and Testing (5/22)These brief videos offer self-paced learning for those on the front lines of nursing home care. This includes nursing assistants, housekeeping, dietary, and maintenance staff, and others. Emotional and Organizational Support for Staff series This …
- Becoming a Fiscally Savvy DNS – Part 1: ExpensesWhen I was in my first DNS role, I remember looking at the budget that the administrator put in front of me and thinking it looked like a foreign language. I told the administrator, “I …
- NETEC Podcast and Resources: Staff Resiliency in Long Term Care (5/22)Dr. Natalie Manley, assistant professor in the Division of Geriatrics, Gerontology and Palliative Medicine at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, joins NETEC’s Dr. Vanessa Raabe to discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on …
- The National Imperative to Improve Nursing Home Quality Report (4/22)Nursing homes play a unique dual role in the long-term care continuum, serving as a place where people receive needed health care and a place they call home. Ineffective responses to the complex challenges of …
- Retain Nursing Home Staff with Stay Interviews and an Action PlanSince the start of the pandemic, the healthcare system has experienced significant job losses, but in recent months, all sectors have slowly begun to recover—except for nursing homes and assisted living communities (AHCA, 2021). Despite …
- Stay Interview Template and Action PlanA stay interview is a conversation between the manager and employee to learn why the employee continues to choose the company as their place of employment—what keeps them coming back every day. Moreover, it’s an …
- AHRQ Nursing Home Guide for COVID-19 Staff Vaccination Programs (4/22)AHRQ has created a guide for nursing home leaders as they implement COVID-19 vaccination programs among staff members. The resource identifies important factors to consider from planning to implementation, including guidance on updating policies and …
- AHRQ COVID-19 Resources Target Infection Prevention and Emotional Well-Being for Both Staff and Residents (3/22)Three new online resources from AHRQ are available to help nursing homes adopt best practices aimed at controlling and preventing infection and improving the emotional well-being of staff and residents: Best Practices Guide for COVID-19 Infection Control …
- CNA Longevity Part 2: Money Isn’t a Cure-All—Management Style MattersEditor’s note: In this two-part series, this article covers management techniques that can help directors of nursing services (DNSs) and other members of the administrative team improve long-term certified nursing assistant (CNA) retention. The first …
- How Comfort Theory Can Help Ease Burnout and Improve Well-Being in Nursing Home StaffBy Faith Carini-Graves, Director of Skill Development, MDS Consultants The problem: What does an MDS coordinator, DON, CNA, therapist, nursing home administrator, RN, LPN, activities professional, social worker, and dietitian all have in common? They …
- High Levels of Agency Staff? Try These Five Steps for Team-BuildingTeamwork is essential to providing high quality of care and quality of life to nursing home residents. However, it can be hard to establish between agency staff and permanent staff, points out Amy Franklin, RN, …
- Turnover and Retention of the Director of Nursing Services (DNS) PositionCauses and Contributing Factors of DNS Turnover The 2021 AAPACN survey found that 37% of DNS respondents changed their job in the last 12 months, and 40% intend to change their job within the next …
- How to Utilize Your Staff to Mentor and Fill Gaps in the MDS DepartmentIn this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, vice president of education and certification strategy for AAPACN is joined by AAPACN Master Teacher and Board Member, Maureen McCarthy, RN, BS RAC-MT, QCP-MT, …
- Stretch and SMART Goal Setting Worksheet ToolGoal setting for personal, professional, and organizational growth is a proven tactic to help individuals and teams achieve higher performance. Nurse leaders can use this worksheet to help their team or themselves develop a stretch …
- Preventing and Detecting Drug Diversions: Quick Tips for SuccessRoughly 30 percent of the United States’ total drug abuse problem can be linked to prescription drugs, says Angie Szumlinski, LNHA, RN-BC, RAC-CT, BS, director of risk management for HealthCap/QA Reader in Ann Arbor, MI. …
- Achieving Personal and Professional GoalsIt’s the New Year, and that means it’s time to set goals. These are often lofty aspirations to achieve amazing feats, like transforming into a sleek powerhouse of muscle reflecting the epitome of health. However, …
- Motivating CNAs – Nursing In-service EducationParticipants will learn to understand the definition of motivation and recognize leadership behaviors that facilitate intrinsic motivation. Download now. For permission to use or reproduce this tool in full or in part, please complete a permissions form.
- Get Agency Staff up to Speed on Emergency Preparedness and SafetyF-tag 689 (Free of Accident Hazards/Supervision/Devices) was the second most frequently cited at the immediate jeopardy (IJ) level during fiscal year (FY) 2021, according to the Citation and Frequency Report from QCOR (Quality, Certification, and …
- Family Arguments and Grievances: How to Dial down the TensionFamily arguments and grievances can have a negative impact on residents and families if nursing homes don’t employ an organized approach to setting expectations and communicating with families. The following steps can help directors of …
- 5-Minute Learning Modules for Frontline Staff: Emotional and Organizational Support (12/21)These brief videos offer self-paced learning for those on the front lines of nursing home care. This includes nursing assistants, housekeeping, dietary, and maintenance staff, and others. Emotional and Organizational Support for Staff Series This …
- How Does Your Daily Stand-Up Meeting Measure Up?Almost every facility has a daily “stand-up” meeting for its management team. When done well, this meeting can be a font of information for everyone involved. However, without structure and focus, it can become cumbersome. …
- TIP: New Resource to Improve Healthcare SafetyLucian Leap just released a new book called Making Healthcare Safe. This free, downloadable book discusses ways a skilled nursing facility can implement a culture of safety by changing processes, working conditions, and communication in …
- Morning Stand-Up Meeting Minutes ToolMorning stand-up is meant to be a brief meeting (15 minutes or less) to exchange information that affects the operations of multiple departments on that given day. The information exchanged should be shared with the …
- Book: Making Healthcare Safe (10/21)Electronic access (PDF) to this book is free with IHI membership (also free). Leape LL. Making Healthcare Safe. Springer; 2021. Written by Lucian Leape, a pioneer of the patient safety movement, this book describes how patient safety became …
- Section GG Web-based Training Module UPDATED (10/21)The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is offering an updated web-based training series on the assessment and coding of Section GG. This training is intended for providers in the following post-acute care (PAC) settings: Home Health Agencies (HHAs), …
- TIP: Learning Timeline for AAPACN Education and ResourcesAre you considering advancing your career and looking to gain knowledge to be successful in your next role? Or are you already in the position you love but looking to improve your knowledge for additional …
- Study: LGBTQ+ Adults in Long-term Care and the Invisibility Problem (8/21)For Older LGBTQ+ Adults, Entering a Nursing Home Can Feel Like Coming out All Over Again New study by Rush researchers calls for a change in practices in long-term care settings 4-Aug-2021 Newswise — As …
- Conflict Resolution: Achieving the Win-WinConflict is a daily reality, yet many of us do our best to avoid it, dreading the time when we will have to navigate interpersonal disputes. Many nurse leaders are similarly uncomfortable with or do …
- HHS $103 Million Investment, Including Grants, to Reduce Healthcare Worker Burnout / Improve Mental Health (7/21)FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJuly 16, 2021 Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), announced the availability of an estimated $103 million in American Rescue Plan …
- CMS Online Training Courses: (1) Improving LGBTQ Health Care Quality and (2) Achieving Health Equity (7/21)Improving Health Care Quality for LGBTQ People (Contact Hours 70 min.) Learn to identify sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) terminology to build trust with LGBTQ patients and recognize health disparities that impact many older LGBTQ adults. …
- AHRQ Guide for Building COVID-19 Vaccine Trust and Increasing Vaccination Rates Among CNAs (5/21)Invest in Trust: A Guide for Building COVID-19 Vaccine Trust Among Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) is designed to help nursing home leaders build COVID-19 vaccine confidence among CNAs and overcome barriers to vaccination by applying insights …
- Cultural Competence Resources (5/21)Disparities & Culturally Competent Care: Fostering Cultural Competence This section includes a collection of assessment tools, educational and learning materials, research articles and resources that are curated to help medical professionals and institutions provide culturally …
- Reduce Turnover and Increase Staff Retention with Employee First Culture“Across the country, the high rate of turnover in long-term care is a serious workforce problem,” says Dr. Linda Shell, DNP, MA, BSN, DNS-CT, Chief Learning Officer, LindaShell.com. “The cost associated with this turnover—the organizational …
- AAPACN Onboarding Essentials: Welcoming Staff to Promote Retention ToolRetaining a talented workforce is a top priority; to achieve this goal, leaders must create a welcoming onboarding experience. This toolkit presents education for department managers and administration as well as tools leaders can use …
- New NAC: Five Tips for Successful OrientationOne year. When asked how long it takes a new nurse assessment coordinator (NAC) to fully learn the job, I say at least one year. The nuances of the Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) and Minimum …
- Center for Medicare Advocacy Offers Nursing Home COVID-19 Lessons Learned and Policy Recommendations (2/21)The Center for Medicare Advocacy released a new report – Geography Is Not Destiny: Protecting Nursing Home Residents from the Next Pandemic – which explores facilities’ responses to the coronavirus crisis and examines how residents’ deaths were …
- How to Thrive as a New Director of Nursing ServicesAccepting a new position as the director of nursing services (DNS) often begins with excitement for the new challenges and many opportunities to make a positive difference. However, in the first few days and weeks, …
- Effective Communication: Get the Nursing Team on the Right TrackEffective Communication: Get the Nursing Team on the Right Track Establishing strong, open communication in the nursing department has always been a challenge, says Suzy Harvey, RN-BC, RAC-CT, director of clinical specialty services for Foster …
- Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) Retention Tip Sheet ToolLeadership significantly affects CNA retention. To improve your facility’s CNA retention, as a leader, use the Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) Retention Tip Sheet that outlines the five leadership principles and 10 actions to help leaders …
- Workplace Fit: How to Interview a Facility Where You Are Considering WorkingBy Jessica Kunkler, MA When interviewing for a new position, don’t forget that an interview is a two-sided exchange. “Not only is the facility interviewing you to determine if you’re a good fit for them, but …
- CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Toolkit for SNFs/NFs (1/21)Long-Term Care Facility Toolkit: Preparing for COVID-19 Vaccination at Your Facility Answering Common Questions About COVID-19 Vaccines This toolkit provides long-term care facility (LTCF) administrators and clinical leadership with information and resources to help build …
- Employee File Audit SheetAll long-term care facilities must compile and maintain a personnel file and a medical file for each employee. AAPACN’s Employee File Audit Sheet is intended to assist facility leaders in their review of the employee …
- PPE: How to Improve Facility Competency and CompliancePersonal protective equipment (PPE) is currently a topic of discussion on a global level. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought infection control procedures and the use of PPE under intense scrutiny, especially in long-term care. On …
- Guide to a Successful Meeting ToolMeetings are a normal and necessary part of daily operations, but it is important to spend the time wisely so that the meeting achieves its intended purpose. AAPACN’s Guide to a Successful Meeting tool will …
- Q&A: Is overseeing the Therapy department within the scope of the DNS position?Question: I am a relatively new DNS and my job description includes overseeing the Therapy Department. Is this within my scope? Answer: In most SNFs, the therapy department usually has its own director/manager, with ultimate oversight …
- 3 Simple Ways Nurse Assessment Coordinators (NACs) Can Help Support Staff RetentionBy Jessica Kunkler, MA Staff turnover is everyone’s problem, and in facilities across the United States, it’s a big one. One in four nursing assistants and one in five home health aides report that they are …
- 4 Simple Ways to Support Staff RetentionBy Jessica Kunkler, MA One in four nursing assistants and one in five home health aides report that they are actively looking for another job. That’s a lot of unhappy employees. This turnover comes at a …
- Do You Embody Inspirational Leadership?As the Director of Operations for my company, I have had the opportunity to encounter many different leadership styles among the various departments within the skilled nursing world. I’ve worked with those who have an …
- Empowering Employees – Nursing In-service EducationParticipants will learn to define empowerment, list four factors contributing to powerlessness, describe eight sources of power, and discuss measures to foster empowerment. Download now. For permission to use or reproduce this tool in full …
- CDC Health Literacy Resources (6/19)Includes education and training tools: https://www.cdc.gov/healthliteracy/
- Section GG Under PDPM: Issues to Discuss With Your NACTo date, the accuracy of section GG (functional abilities and goals) hasn’t mattered from a payment perspective. Section GG doesn’t affect payment under the RUG-IV case-mix classification system, and the Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting …
- F-Tag 760: Avoiding a Citation When Crushing MedicationBy Lynn A. Milligan, MSN/ED, RN, DNS-CT, RAC-CT Some residents require or request that their medication be crushed for oral administration. But not following CMS guidelines for crushing medications could result in a citation under §483.45(f)(2) …
- F684: Handling this Broad Tag Requires Analysis and ActionSurveyors in the long-term care survey process (LTCSP) have begun to cite F684 (Quality of Care) with increasing frequency. As of July 2018, F684 is fifth most-common LTCSP tag. In comparison, it was the eighth …