Dementia is a difficult diagnosis to manage in long-term care. The disease robs individuals of precious memories and their ability to communicate. This loss can cause residents and their loved ones fear, sadness, and sometimes anger. Often, the resident’s inability to communicate increases behaviors such as aggression toward staff or …
Performing bed safety checks is often an essential duty of the maintenance supervisor. However, the risk to residents of injury or even death while they are in bed is a serious matter, and the DNS has a responsibility to ensure their safety. This article will discuss the “danger zones” that …
Over the last two years, the holidays have been difficult for many residents, families, and providers. However, things seem to be looking up as we near the end of 2022! The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have recently relaxed …
Staffing is a topic that is always on the director of nursing services’ (DNS’s) mind, and its importance only continues to increase. Usually, the focus is on filling open positions to meet workload demands. However, staffing also affects other areas the DNS should be cognizant of. One of these areas …
Mrs. C is an 85-year-old resident with cognitive impairments. She often wanders from room to room and likes to pick up pretty trinkets and put them in her purse for safekeeping. Mr. M finds her sorting through items in his room. Thinking that she is stealing his watch, he yells …
The words “It’s time for you to go home” can evoke happiness and excitement for both residents and staff. Smiles appear on the faces of residents and their families, and giddiness is in the air. However, an inadequate discharge process can also generate frustration and anxiety or even lead to …
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 may have lost track of progress toward the goals they set in January. Some may …
When 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 to take on the role. After all, it was just one department, right? I realized …
When 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 the facility as a whole financially sound. The second part of this article series will …
When 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 am a nurse, not an accountant. I’m supposed to care for people, not crunch numbers!” …
