Resident harm is every nurse’s nightmare. Four years ago, a nurse administered the wrong medication to a patient, which resulted in the patient’s death. RaDonda Vaught was recently criminally convicted of negligent homicide and neglect of an impaired adult. Although the defense argued that the error was a result of …
Causes 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 12 months. In general, common reasons people cite for voluntarily leaving their position include: Limited …
Family 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 nursing services (DNSs) focus both staff and families on the need to put the resident …
Depression and other mood disorders historically have been a significant risk for nursing home residents. “In 2011 and 2012, the percentage of users of long-term care services with a diagnosis of depression was highest in nursing homes (49 percent),” says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in QuickStats: …
AAPACN’s mission is to support the professional development, empowerment, and success of members with resources. We especially want to provide that support during the current COVID-19 emergency. Federal guidance is rapidly developing and changing. AAPACN and partner organizations are developing tools and resources to help you care for patients, protect …
An effective in-service program not only ensures competency and meets regulatory requirements, but also incorporates many learning styles and fosters the enjoyment of learning. Given the resources that a facility must dedicate to its in-service education program, it’s important that nurse leaders review their program regularly. Ask the following questions: …
Lead certified nursing assistant (CNA) programs can create positive change in nursing homes. While program goals often vary from facility to facility, lead CNA programs may improve resident quality of life and quality of care, increase CNA communication and teamwork, give CNAs a path for professional growth and reduce CNA …
With the introduction of the vaccine mandate for nursing home employees, many organizational leaders fear staff, especially certified nursing assistants (CNAs), will quit rather than get the vaccine. This week, several industry experts have voiced concerns about the potential for a mass exit of CNAs, questioning how facilities can continue …
One of a nursing student’s most exciting milestones is purchasing a stethoscope. In addition to serving as a critical tool, the stethoscope is also a symbol signifying that the nursing student has taken a leap forward in their education and is ready to learn how to assess patients. Like a …
The care area assessment (CAA) process sometimes mistakenly gets lumped under the “required but not critical to resident care” label of regulatory paperwork. While working the CAAs is indeed a mandatory step in the Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) process for OBRA comprehensive MDS assessments, it’s also a crucial link between …
