CMS Announces Ending of COVID Staff Vaccine Requirement, Other Protocols

Today, t​he Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a new regulatory memo QSO-23-13-ALL​ entitled “Guidance for Expiration of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) on May 11, 2023.” The memo outlines each waiver CMS put into place during COVID-19 and how the end of the PHE will affect those waivers. Additionally, the memo outlined timelines for certain regulatory requirements issued through the PHE. This memo applies to Long Term Care (LTC), Intermediate Care Facilities (ICF), and other provider types.
Find out more at https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/CMS-Announces-Ending-of-COVID-Staff-Vaccine-Requirement,-Other-Protocols.aspx

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.

National Nurses Week Deals and Freebies!

National Nurses Week runs from May 6 to May 12, with National Nurses Day falling on May 6. It couldn’t be a better and more-deserving time to send an extra thank-you to nurses across the country who are on the front lines of the COVID-19 response and taking care of us every day.

To celebrate their hard work and dedication, these restaurants and retailers are offering special discounts and deals for nurses and health care workers.

For a list of deals and freebies go to https://www.retailmenot.com/blog/national-nurses-week-deals-and-freebies.html 

Announcing AHCA/NCAL’s Spring Sale on Gero Nurse Prep

Save $200 off the AHCA/NCAL’s Gero Nurse Prep course​ through May 31, 2022, with promo code QUALITYRN22 (all caps). Specifically designed for registered nurses working in long term care, this curriculum provides comprehensive online training that leads to board certification in gerontological nursing​ by the America​n Nurses Credentialing Center​ (ANCC) for RNs.

Research released by AHCA/NCAL in 2019 found compelling reasons to consider the 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
  • Significantly lower rates of off-label use of antipsychotics
  • Significantly higher average SNF Value Based Purchasing scores (44.17 versus 34.42 for the nation)
Gero Nurse Prep also makes a big difference even for those RNs who are not interested in pursuing ANCC Board certification. Nurses who complete Gero Nurse Prep show an average 24 percent increase between their pre- and post-course test scores. The 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 can take this course and sit for the ANCC exam.
RNs have one year to complete the course and 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 (a $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 at geronurseprep.com​ 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 QUALITYRN22 promo code when you register by May 31 to save $200 off the regular $790 Gero Nurse Prep

Careers in Aging Week April 17-23, 2022.

The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) hosts Careers in Aging Week every year to raise awareness about the diverse careers available in the field of aging.

People are living longer and populations are aging worldwide. The demand for professionals with expertise in aging is growing rapidly. Careers in Aging Week (CIAW) is observed every year by businesses, clinics, coalitions, organizations, universities, colleges, and other parties across the world. The goal of CIAW is to bring greater awareness and visibility to the wide-ranging career opportunities in the field of aging.

For Careers in Aging Week materials, including GSA’s Careers in Aging Week toolkit, please go to https://www.geron.org/programs-services/careers-in-aging-week

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.

Boost Your Geriatric RN Skills in 2022 with AHCA/NCAL’s Gero Nurse Prep

Specifically designed for registered nurses working in long term care, the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living’s Gero Nurse Prep course provides comprehensive online training that leads to board certification in gerontological nursing by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) for RNs.
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 in last cycle)
  • 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 the previous six years
  • Significantly lower rates of off-label use of antipsychotics over the previous five years
  • 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.
Gero Nurse Prep makes a big difference even for those RNs who are not interested in pursuing ANCC Board certification. Nurses who complete Gero Nurse Prep show an average 24 percent increase between their pre- and post-course test scores. Quite simply, Gero Nurse Prep 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 can take the Gero Nurse Prep course and sit for the ANCC exam.
RNs have one year to complete Gero Nurse Prep and 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 at geronurseprep.com to learn more about this online program designed to help RNs increase their geriatric nursing skills and to pass the ANCC exam. Remember to use the AHCAPAYLESS promo code when you register to save $100 off the regular $790 Gero Nurse Prep registration fee.