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July 2017
Gero Nurse Prep celebrates a major milestone! Over 400 Gero Nurse Prep alums have confirmed that they are board certified in gerontological nursing.
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May 11, 2018
Becker's Hospital Review released the 2018 edition of 100 Great Hospitals in America, a compilation of some of the most prominent, forward-thinking and focused health care facilities in the nation. Five years in a row, Becker's named Nebraska Medicine-Nebraska Medical Center to the prestigious list. Nebraska Medical Center is the sister hospital to the University of Nebraska Medical Center, home of Gero Nurse Prep.
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April 27, 2018
Gero Nurse Prep faculty Beth Culross, PhD, has been named an associate director on the Interprofessional Academy of Educators (IAE). Congratulations Dr. Culross!
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April 1, 2018
Gero Nurse Prep now has RNs enrolled in 92% of the United States (46/50) and the District of Columbia! Our goal is to have alums in all 50 states achieve board certification in gerontological nursing as a result of completing our course.
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October 15-18, 2017
Viva Las Vegas! Gero Nurse Prep made its annual appearance at the AHCA/NCAL 68th Annual Convention & Expo held in Las Vegas, NV. Dr. Heidi Keeler, Gero Nurse Prep faculty and Director of the UNMC College of Nursing Continuing Nursing Education co-presented an educational session My RN is Smarter than Your RN: Case Study Benefits of the Gero Nurse Prep Program. Co-presenters included David Kyllo of AHCA/NCAL; Anna Fisher, DHA, CDP of Hillcrest Health Services; and Angie Szumlinski, BS, RN-BC, LNHA, RAC-CT of Evolucent (formerly HealthCap Risk Management Services). The session discussed how board certification in gerontological nursing through the American Nurses Credentialing Center can set providers apart from their competition and how the Gero Nurse Prep course can help RNs prepare for this gold standard exam.
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June 25, 2017
The Big Easy meets Gero Nurse Prep! Dr. Heidi Keeler, Gero Nurse Prep faculty and Director of the UNMC College of Nursing Continuing Nursing Education, presents her poster The Effect of Board Certification of Nurses on Long Term Care Outcomes in the Aging, Disability, and End-of-Life theme poster walk at the AcademyHealth Annual Research Meeting in New Orleans, LA. The poster was based on the results of a study done with Brown University. The study found that 8 out of the 9 quality measures studied trended toward improvement at facilities having at least ONE RN-BC. Imagine if you had two?
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May 23, 2017
Another benefit for Gero Nurse Prep graduates! The faculty of Gero Nurse Prep introduces a free course open only to Gero Nurse Prep graduates. Gero Nurse Prep Advanced Critique and Review is designed to increase expertise as a specialized nursing content expert and to help its learners to analyze best practice as a certified RN. As an added benefit, the course is provided for contact hours under ANCC criteria – applicable to recertification requirements – at no charge!
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January 5, 2017
Always providing the most up-to-date information! Gero Nurse Prep announces a revision to the course to reflect the updated 2016 National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Council (NPUAC) Pressure Injury Guidelines. Dr. Joyce Black, Gero Nurse Prep faculty and internationally recognized wound specialist, researcher and a key author of these updates, put together a presentation based on the official NPUAC resources. The new presentation provides an overview of the new guidelines, including definitions, and information on staging and documenting pressure injuries.
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October 16-19 2016
Gero Nurse Prep kicks up their boot heels at the AHCA/NCAL 67th Annual Convention & Expo in Nashville, TN! Course faculty, Dr. Heidi Keeler, teamed up with Anna Fisher, PhD, CDP, Of Hillcrest Health Services; David Kyllo of AHCA/NCAL; and Angie Szumlinski, BS, RN-BC, LNHA, RAC-CT of Evolucent (formerly HealthCap Risk Management Services) to deliver the CE session My RN is Smarter than Your RN. The session discussed how board certification in gerontological nursing through the American Nurses Credentialing Center can set providers apart from their competition and how the Gero Nurse Prep course helps RNs get ready for this gold standard exam. In the exhibit all, Gero Nurse Prep encouraged its visitors to See More Stars! Research conducted by AHCA/NCAL shows that nursing facilities with RNs certified in gerontological nursing by the ANCC are twice as likely to receive an overall 5-Star rating from CMS!
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October 1, 2016
Gero Nurse Prep now has RNs enrolled in 86% of the United States (43/50) and the District of Columbia! Our goal is to have alums in all 50 states achieve board certification in gerontological nursing as a result of completing our course.
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July 2016
Gero Nurse Prep celebrates a major milestone! Over 325 Gero Nurse Prep alums have confirmed that they are board certified in gerontological nursing. Of all nurses who take the board certification exam, approximately 3 out of 4 pass on the first try, whereas alums of Gero Nurse Prep have an impressive 96% pass rate on the first try!
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July 5, 2016
The accredited provider of continuing nursing education for Gero Nurse Prep, the UNMC CON CNE, was awarded Accreditation with Distinction, the highest recognition awarded by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Accreditation Program, for the SECOND time.
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July 1, 2016
Gero Nurse Prep course faculty, Dr. Heidi Keeler, is named Director of UNMC College of Nursing Continuing Nursing Education, the accredited provider of Gero Nurse Prep. Congratulations Dr. Keeler!
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February 29, 2016
A special day for Gero Nurse Prep! There are now over 1000 RNs enrolled in the course. We are simultaneously preparing this group of RNs to improve the quality of care for elders and achieve board certification in gerontological nursing.
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October 4-7, 2015
Remember the Alamo! Gero Nurse Prep faculty, Dr. Heidi Keeler, attended the 66th Annual AHCA/NCAL Convention & Expo in San Antonio, TX. Dr. Keeler presented an update on Gero Nurse Prep to the Affiliated State Health Care Association Executives (ASHCAE) on October 5. In addition, Dr. Keeler presented Linking Retention with Education at the Quality Luncheon.
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May, 2015
Gero Nurse Prep appears in Provider magazine Established in 1974, Provider magazine is the monthly print publication of the AHCA/NCAL. Its readership includes more than 52,000 owners, operators, clinicians, administrators, and others working in nursing facilities and assisted living communities across the country. Course faculty, Dr. Heidi Keeler, RN wrote the article Certified Nurses Improve Facility Quality: Training for Gerontological Certification Turns Out to be a Win-Win Proposition for Nurses, Administrators, and Residents. Dr. Keeler interviewed administrators who sponsored their RNs in Gero Nurse Prep to assist their RNs who expressed an interest obtaining board certification from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). The administrators shared their strategies for obtaining funding to sponsor their RNs and the benefits the organization received as a result. In addition, Gero Nurse Prep alums share their experience with the online course and outcomes as a result of achieving board certification in gerontological nursing.
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October 5-8, 2014
Washington, DC: the site of the 65th Annual AHCA/NCAL Convention & Expo. Gero Nurse Prep had the privilege to participate in NCAL Day and present a continuing education session titled Meeting Quality Goals and Improving Your Bottom Line through Systematic RN Staff Training. Using a case study approach, long term care administrators who invested in Gero Nurse Prep and certification of RN employees in their organizations discussed the strategies they used to support their RNs through completion of training and certification, subsequent trends in their organization’s data related to the AHCA quality initiatives, and the impact of change on their organization’s financial bottom line.
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October 6-9, 2013
Convention Time! Gero Nurse Prep made its journey to Phoenix, AZ to participate in the AHCA/NCAL’s 64th Annual Convention & Expo. Dr. Catherine Bevil, Director of GNP; Bill Bogdanovich, CEO Broad Reach Healthcare/Liberty Commons; and Pam Clayton, Sr. VP Regulatory Affairs and Clinical Practice, Ethica Health and Retirement Communities presented a continuing education session titled Solving the Big Squeeze: How LTC-specific RN Training Cuts Costs and Elevates Care. The session described Gero Nurse Prep outcomes, including improvements in RN clinical knowledge, performance, professional satisfaction, and certification rates. Long term care administrators who sponsored a number of their RNs in Gero Nurse Prep discussed the strategies they used to support their RNs through completion of Gero Nurse Prep and the benefits that accrued to their facilities, their RNs, other staff, and residents. One lucky facility was the recipient of a free spot in Gero Nurse Prep!
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October 1, 2013
We are proud to announce that we are now preparing RNs for board certification in gerontological nursing in 72% (36/50) of the United States and the District of Columbia.
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August 2013
Gero Nurse Prep appears in the award-winning Provider magazine. Provider is the monthly print publication of the AHCA/NCAL. Its readership includes more than 52,000 owners, operators, clinicians, administrators, and others working in nursing facilities and assisted living communities across the country. Course faculty, Dr. Heidi Keeler, wrote the article Nurse Training Program Boosts Quality: An Online Gerontological Training Course Helps Providers Retain Nursing Staff and Improve Care.
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May 2013
Gero Nurse Prep rolls out a new feature in the course. An interactive forum provides an opportunity for learners and faculty to interact and discuss topics within the course and their centers. This feature allows for collective and collaborative study, an element needed to bring fresh perspective on any topic.
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April 3, 2013
Success! There are now over 100 Gero Nurse Prep alums. These individuals have demonstrated their commitment to excellence by completing the course. Overall feedback - Course is A+ and highly recommendable for individuals who are trying to achieve board certification in gerontological nursing.
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October 7-12, 2012
Fun in the sun! Gero Nurse Prep appeared in the exhibit hall at the AHCA/NCAL 63rd Annual Convention & Expo at the Tampa Convention Center, Tampa, FL. We had a wonderful time talking about Gero Nurse Prep and all its benefits. Dr. Catherine Bevil, Director of GNP; Dr. Mary Cramer, Co-PI on the Gero Nurse Prep pilot project; and Patrick Fairbanks, COO of Vetter Health Services presented a continuing education session titled Evidence-based Solutions that Really Work in LTC: Improving Quality, the Work Environment and RN Retention. The sun shone brightly on one facility: they won a free spot in the course!
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October 2012
Our first major course update based on the feedback that we received from Gero Nurse Prep alums is rolled out. The focus is on improving the overall student learning experience along with adding audio presentations for course topics. The update also included the launch of our new ticketing support center to provide immediate support to our learners.
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September 7, 2012
500+ RNs are enrolled in Gero Nurse Prep. These individuals have pledged their commitment to becoming board certified and improving the quality of care in their centers.
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July 5, 2012
The accredited provider of the course, the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing Continuing Nursing Education (UNMC CON CNE) awarded Accreditation with Distinction, the highest recognition awarded by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Accreditation Program. Incidentally, the ANCC administers the Gerontological Nursing certification exam.
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January 2012
What an achievement! First Gero Nurse Prep alum confirms attainment of board certification! Remarks from this Gero Nurse Prep alum: I thought about certification for many years. The online format made it possible. Becoming board certified has definitely added to my credibility as a professional. The course format is so convenient that really anybody should be able to make time to do it. The commitment required wasn't overwhelming. The course left me well prepared for the certification exam. Congratulations!
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December 27, 2011
No matter how competent in core nursing skills, a new long-term care RN without proper preparation is basically engaged in permanent on-the-job training. That can make it difficult to relate to, communicate with, and care for senior residents - in terms of physical, mental and emotional health. But only about a third of nurses now in the workforce have any pre-degree geriatric training in nursing school. Gero Nurse Prep has its first big sale of 200+ slots in most populous state of the United States. A big step towards the future.
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December 8, 2011
Exciting! We have our first Gero Nurse Prep alum. This RN shares his/her thoughts on our course - What a difference this course makes. For me personally, it really enhanced my confidence, knowledge and critical thinking skills. I feel much more equipped to deliver top-notch care, and that's a rewarding feeling. Gerontological board certification is a badge of quality. It's so much learning - with so many resources - all focused on current best practices. For our patients, it's meant better quality care. At Vetter, we believe we owe it to our residents to become the best we can be. Earning certification is a big part of that continual process.
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November, 2011
Gero Nurse Prep is featured in Provider Magazine. Established in 1974, Provider magazine is the monthly print publication of the AHCA/NCAL. Patrick Connole interviewed Dr. Catherine Bevil, Director of Continuing Nursing Education, the accredited provider of Gero Nurse Prep. The article Online Program Dramatically Boosts RN Certifications describes Gero Nurse Prep and the effects that RN certification and proper gerontological training has on facilities, RNs, and the older adults they serve.
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November, 2011
Good news spreads fast and far. The grant project incorporated a leadership academy in 2010 after the first completers had taken the certification exam. Gero Nurse Prep pilot project alums were integrated into the Heartland Gerontological Nurses Association on a local level and as the Long Term Care Special Interest Group on the national level for the National Gerontological Nurses Association (NGNA). Visit http://www.ngna.org/about/committees/long-term-care-advancing-excellence-sig for more information.
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October 13, 2011
Just 12 days after launch we have our first RN enrolled in Gero Nurse Prep from North Dakota, US. Our journey to improving the quality of care for elders by preparing RNs for board certification in gerontological nursing has officially begun.
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October 1, 2011
After the proven success of the two-year pilot project, the online offering, Gero Nurse Prep, is rolled out nationally to providers. Overall, facilities that participated in the pilot project saw RNs raise their skill level, professionalism, job satisfaction, and retention. In addition, the facilities saw quality care elevated and the fostering of long-term operations success and care continuity. The result: RNs learn how to communicate better with older adults as individuals in therapeutic ways, focus on the role of the expert gerontological nurse as the leader of the nursing care team and collaborator with other team members, and prepare for and pass certification.
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September 18-21, 2011
Gero Nurse Prep exhibited for the first time at the AHCA/NCAL 62nd Annual Convention & Expo held in Las Vegas, NV at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Convention Center. Three members of the Gero Nurse Prep team (including the director) had a wonderful time introducing the AHCA/NCAL members to Gero Nurse Prep, the newest member benefit!
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September 9, 2011
A well-matched partnership. American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) becomes the official sponsor of Gero Nurse Prep. AHCA is the nation’s largest association of long term and post-acute care providers and advocates for quality care and services for frail, elderly and disabled Americans. Their members provide essential care to approximately one million individuals in 11,000 not-for-profit and proprietary member facilities. NCAL is the assisted living voice of the AHCA. Its mission is to lead the assisted living profession through public policy, advocacy, knowledge, education, and professional development.
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March 31, 2010
A great accomplishment! The first RN to complete the Gero Nurse Prep pilot program sat for the ANCC board certification exam. He passed!
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January 18, 2010
After getting the funding the regional Gero Nurse Prep pilot program was initiated. The results were quickly clear. Training for Geriatric Nurse Certification yielded big dividends across the board - higher quality care, better services, lower staff turnover, happier nurses, residents and families. From 2010-2011, 84 RNs completed the pilot program. The certification pass rate was 98.5% and the course satisfaction rate was 94.7%.
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September 1, 2009
On September 1, 2009, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation/Northwest Health Foundation Partners Investing in Nursing's Future awarded $250,000 to UNMC College of Nursing and Vetter Foundation for a project designed to improve the quality of nursing care in long-term care facilities in the Midwest. The grant project was entitled, Midwest Partners for Geriatric Nursing Quality Improvement Project and was led by Dr. Mary Cramer, Associate Professor and Chair at UNMC CON and Mr. Glenn Van Ekeren, President of Vetter Health Services. It suggested ways to improve the quality of nursing care by directly involving facility owners and administrators in advanced geriatric nursing education leading to gerontological certification. And in the process: it proposed to cultivate nurse-leaders as advocates, sentinels and team leaders for their long-term care organizations. The RWJF/NWHF monies were matched by 13 regional businesses and foundations who partnered on the project and committed $250,000 bringing the total grant award to $500,000. These important regional partners represented over 60 long term care facilities.
Accredited Continuing Education
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by University of Nebraska Medical Center and AHCA/NCAL. University of Nebraska Medical Center is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
The University of Nebraska Medical Center designates this activity for 30.0 ANCC contact hours.
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Phone: 402-559-1990
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Email: concne@unmc.edu
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