Nurse assessment coordinators (NACs) have a vital role in any long-term and post-acute care facility. These nurses are the backbone of reimbursement, and they take charge of resident assessment and ensuring quality of care for residents. They are a key team member of the nursing department that deserves to be …
AAPACN’s in-person conference is back and is just around the corner! The AAPACN 2022 Conference will be held this year in Las Vegas, NV on April 12 – 14, and will be a chance for long-term and post-acute care nursing professionals from all over the country to come together again …
By Liz Barlow, RN, CRRN, RAC-CT, DNS-CT, AVP Clinical Innovation, Synchrony Rehab At the end of August, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) held a National Provider Stakeholder call to review some of the recent COVID updates. CMS commented that data collected, along with nursing home surveys, are …
The widespread staffing crisis in nursing homes across long-term care has put a strain on everyone, from leadership positions to the floor nurse. Staff are working overtime, covering extra shifts, and are often being called to work outside of their assigned roles. They are experiencing stress, burnout, and even considering …
Nurse assessment coordinators (NACs), or MDS coordinators, have an important and challenging role in skilled nursing facilities (SNF). From managing the MDS/RAI process, creating individualized care plans for residents, identifying significant changes, ensuring accurate reimbursement with the Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM), keeping track of Quality Measures and Five Star, and …
by Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA We are finally nearing the end of 2020. For most, the end offers up hope for a new year and new beginnings. When I reflect on this past year, I can’t help but think about the nursing home residents, staff, family …
by Julia Merrill Historically, the majority of the nursing workforce has always been female. However, the number of male nurses is steadily increasing. Today, 11.4 percent of students in BSN programs identify as male – and great pay and a rewarding career are two of their motivations. With help from …
By Julie Helling, BSN, RN I have struggled with my faith on so many occasions. There have been more times than I can count when my beliefs have gone to war with my surroundings. As with so many healthcare workers, I have seen families, and residents, at their worst. A …
By Julie Helling, BSN, RN My life changed at age 14. I had no plans on becoming a nurse. In fact, I was entertaining the idea of becoming a music teacher. Then, my grandfather came to live with us when I was in the 8th grade. I didn’t know him …
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and AAPACN recognizes the struggles long-term care professionals are facing right now to keep their mental health balanced during to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nurses may be feeling stressed, tired, overwhelmed, or depressed by the hard decisions they must make every day and the situations …
