March 19 is Certified Nurses Day! Gero Nurse Prep Sets the Course for a Successful Certification Journey

Certified Nurses Day™ is​ March 19 and is an annual day of recognition for and by health care leaders dedicated to nursing professionalism, excellence, recognition, and service. The AHCA/NCAL Gero Nurse Prep​ course is specifically designed for RNs working in long term care and provides comprehensive online training that leads to board certification in gerontological nursing by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
Research released by AHCA/NCAL in 2019 found compelling reasons to consider the AHCA/NCAL’s Gero Nurse Prep course and ANCC Board certification for RNs. Nursing facilities with at least one ANCC Board certified RN experienced:
  • ​Two fewer deficiencies on average (5.71 citations versus the 7.55 national average)
  • Fewer Immediate Jeopardy (IJ) citations (1.60 versus the 2.27 national average)
  • More stars — nearly twice as likely to be a CMS 5-Star facility (50% versus the 28% national average)
  • Significantly lower re-hospitalization rates over a six-year period
  • Significantly lower rates of off-label use of antipsychotics over a five-year period
  • Significantly higher average SNF Value Based Purchasing scores (44.17 versus 34.42 for the nation). Higher SNF VBP Score = Higher Medicare Part A reimbursement rates.

Nurses who complete Gero Nurse Prep show an average 24 percent increase between their pre- and post-course test scores. Quite simply, this course delivers smarter RNs who are better prepared to deliver quality geriatric nursing care in skilled nursing and assisted living settings.  Both two-year RNs and BSNs may take the Gero Nurse Prep course and sit for the ANCC exam.

All RNs who complete the AHCA/NCAL Gero Nurse Prep course ($690 when members use promo code AHCAPAYLESS {all caps} when they register) earn 30 quality nursing contact hours, enough to meet the criteria for taking the ANCC certification exam. Gero Nurse Prep grads who choose to sit for the ANCC gerontological nursing certification exam ($395 separate fee paid to ANCC) have a pass rate of 95% on their first try. RNs who pass the ANCC exam can then use the GERO-BC™ credential after their RN credential.

Watch this video or visit the website to learn more about this online program designed to help RNs increase their geriatric nursing skills and to pass the ANCC exam. Don’t forget to use the  AHCAPAYLESS promo code when you register to save $100 off the regular $790 Gero Nurse Prep registration fee.