My first degree was in science education. While getting my education, I worked in the nursing home right across the street at night as an aid. I also worked there as an aid in high school over the summer, and I became really comfortable and enjoyed being around the older …
“The nurse’s part of the MDS is just invaluable. And you really feel like you can be a nurse, because you use every assessment skill you learned in nursing school.”—Jane Belt, MS, RN, RAC-MT, QCP If you are considering a career in the MDS, one thing you need to know …
I’ve been in nursing since 1985. I started my career as an LPN. It was during my clinical practicum in a nursing home where I had a very rewarding experience which led to my decision to work with the elderly and further my professional development and went back to school. …
From about the age of three, when I first bandaged up my dog to be my patient, I wanted to be a nurse. As the youngest of my extended family, I was exposed to hospitals and nursing homes at a young age. I loved the nurses in their white uniforms …
4 Good Reads to Reflect on the Lessons in LTC Assessing and caring for others can be a lot of work, but it also teaches us many important life lessons. Working in long-term care shows us how to deal with difficult behaviors, how to appreciate the small triumphs daily, and …
At the 2017 AANAC Annual Conference, we celebrated nine exceptional nurses who are leading the way in long-term care. The 2017 AANAC Awards and Scholarships winners are the following: 2017 Award Winners NAC of the Year – Aida Alvarez-Gruter, RN, RAC-CT DON of the Year – Kari Gawrych Administrator of …
I want to tell you my story. It starts when I’m seven years old. My great grandparents were still living and I visited them often. Big Mom was my mother’s grandmother, very country–she wore the dress with the long apron, and would have us bathe in the porch sink or …
On NAC Day and during Nurses Week, we’d like to recognize a nurse who is leading the way in long-term care. Stacey Poldervaart from Friendship Haven in Fort Dodge, IA, was recently awarded the Cheryl M. Thomas Scholarship at the 2017 AANAC Annual Conference in St. Louis, MO. We hope …
If you could reduce the use of prescription medications in your facility, or even offer a combination of healing practices to residents, would you give it a shot? No pun intended. Essential oils have been used for centuries to aid in relaxation, pain relief, and even to cure sickness. And …
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), every year one-in-four adults over the age of 65 falls. Ninety-five percent of hip fractures for that group result from falls, usually from falling sideways. In addition, falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries. The most common causes of …
